Best Ways to Get from Linate Airport to Milan City Center

Are you figuring out how to navigate from Linate Airport to Milan City Center? You’re in the right place! This guide is your one-stop source for all the travel options available, complete with pricing and details to make your journey as smooth as possible.

Milan’s Airports: A Quick Overview

Milan is served by three main airports: Malpensa, Bergamo, and Linate Airport.

Malpensa Airport (MXP) handles larger, typically intercontinental flights and is the farthest from the city center.

Linate Airport (LIN), the closest to Milan’s downtown, offers faster travel options. It’s the preferred airport for ITA Airways, Italy’s flag carrier.

Bergamo Airport (BGY) is generally chosen for low-cost flights.

Below is a map showing Malpensa (left), Linate (center), and Bergamo (right) airports, the most utilized by Milanese and travelers alike.

Transportation from Linate Airport to Milan Center

Next, we detail the main transportation options from Linate Airport to the center of Milan. For a price comparison, consider using Rentcars.

Car Rental

Renting a car directly at Linate Airport is a great idea for those planning to travel for several days, possibly with a lot of luggage, or with children and elderly.

Ensure your hotel has parking and check for any access restrictions in the area.

Still need accommodation? Check out our Milan hotel recommendations (soon!)

Private Transfer

The most comfortable way to travel from Linate Airport to Milan is by private transfer.

Ideal for those who prefer the convenience of a professional driver waiting at the flight’s arrival area, this service usually comes with executive vehicles, allowing you to relax during the journey.

The cost is approximately 85 euros for an executive vehicle for 2 people – book your transfer now with Get Your Guide.

Remember to provide flight details and destination address after booking.

Taxis

Taxis are a valid alternative for traveling from Linate Airport to Milan City Center. The main advantage is direct travel to your destination. However, there can be queues at the airport, and you might not always get the most comfortable vehicle.

Good news for those taking a taxi from Linate Airport: there are pre-determined rates for common routes, such as Linate to Malpensa Airport (€128.00) and Linate to Fiera Milano (Rho) (€68.00).

For other routes, the meter is used according to the taxi rates published by the Comune di Milano.

To book a taxi to and from Linate Airport, use the universal number 02 7777, accessible by landline or mobile, or through the MiT (Milano in Taxi) app. Alternatively, contact one of the many radio taxi services active at Linate Airport:

Radiotaxi 6969 – Tel: (+39) 02 6969
Radio Taxi Freccia – Tel: (+39) 02 4000
Taxi Blu – Tel: (+39) 02 4040
Radio Taxi La Martesana – Tel: (+39) 02 2181
Taxi 8585 Autoradiotassi – Tel: (+39) 02 8585
ETAXI Radio Taxi Milano – Tel: (+39) 02 5353

These options offer a convenient and efficient way to travel between the airport and various destinations in Milan.

Metro (Line M4)

For an economical yet efficient mode of transportation, the metro presents an excellent option. A single 90-minute ticket begins at Euro 2.20.

The M4 metro line connects Linate Airport with downtown Milan in a swift 12-minute journey. The recent addition of “Tricolore” and “San Babila” stations further enhances its convenience.

Metro Operating Hours – Line M4:

Monday to Thursday: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Friday to Sunday: 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM

Please note that these hours are subject to change without prior notice. You can check the latest information on the official ATM website.

The M4 line has intermediate stops at Tricolore, Dateo, Susa, Argonne, Stazione Forlanini, and Repetti stations, and offers convenient connections with the regional rail system at Dateo and Forlanini stations.

Night Service – For night travels, the NM4 line operates between Linate Airport and San Babila, replacing the M4 during the following hours:

Monday to Friday and holidays: 10:15 PM to 5:30 AM
Saturday: 12:30 AM to 5:30 AM from Linate, and 1:00 AM to 5:30 AM from San Babila.

The official video below demonstrates how easy and fast it is to travel from downtown Milan to Linate Airport and vice versa:

https://milan.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/C_1_modules_889_upfVideoFiles_it.mp4

Of course, in the video, the traveler is an executive with not much luggage. For those traveling with a lot of bags, a taxi or transfer are still more comfortable options.

Train (Milano Forlanini Station)

In addition to the metro, it’s possible to reach Linate Airport by train, with the nearest station being Milano Forlanini. It’s connected to the Milan metro system. Here are the lines stopping at Milano Forlanini station:

• Line S5 [Varese – Passante – Treviglio]: Main stops include Varese, Busto Arsizio FS, Rho Fiera, Milano Porta Garibaldi, Milano Dateo, Milano Forlanini, with trains every half hour and a duration of about 90 minutes from Varese to Milano Forlanini.
• Line S6 [Novara – Passante – Treviglio]: Main stops include Novara, Magenta, Rho Fiera, Milano Porta Garibaldi, Milano Dateo, Milano Forlanini, with trains every half hour and a duration of about 70 minutes from Novara to Milano Forlanini. More info: Trenord S6 Line.
• Line S9 [Saronno – Seregno – Milano – Albairate]: Main stops include Saronno, Monza, Milano Greco Pirelli, Milano Lambrate, Milano Forlanini, with varying frequencies throughout the day and a duration of about 65 minutes from Saronno to Milano Forlanini. More info: Trenord S9 Line.

You can search for train schedules and tickets directly through the Trenitalia (national portal) or Trenord (local portal) websites.

What’s the Best Way to Travel from Linate Airport to Milan City Center?

The best mode of transport from Linate Airport to downtown Milan depends on your travel itinerary.

If you’re traveling light and don’t mind public transport, the metro is certainly the cheapest and could be the fastest option, depending on your destination in Milan.

Those traveling with a lot of luggage will likely find a car with a large trunk more comfortable – this could be a transfer, a taxi, or a rental car. The advantage of a transfer over a taxi is that the driver will be waiting for you and the price is predetermined, avoiding surprises with taxi drivers changing the price upon arrival or not accepting electronic payments.

A rental car is great for those traveling to various cities, perhaps staying in less central hotels.

When I travel with children, my husband, and luggage, I usually prefer a transfer or taxi. When traveling alone with just hand luggage, I prefer the metro.

And you, what’s your preferred mode of transport when traveling? If you found this article on “Best Ways to Get from Linate Airport to Milan City Center” helpful, share it!