Milan city centre is approximately 50 km southeast of the airport.

About Milan City Centre (Cadorna/Centrale)

Milan's city centre is the commercial and cultural engine of Italy, revolving around the magnificent Duomo — a Gothic cathedral of white marble that took nearly six centuries to complete, with over 3,400 statues and a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the city. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the world's oldest active shopping mall, connects the Duomo square to La Scala opera house, its glass-vaulted cruciform arcade housing Prada, Louis Vuitton, and historic cafés.

Milano Cadorna station, where the Malpensa Express arrives, is in the heart of the cultural district near the Castello Sforzesco (the 15th-century fortress housing Michelangelo's unfinished final sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà) and Parco Sempione. Milano Centrale, the alternative Malpensa Express terminus, is one of Europe's grandest railway stations — a monumental 1931 building blending Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Fascist architecture that serves Italy's high-speed Frecciarossa network.

Milan's fashion district (Quadrilatero della Moda) encompasses Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni, and Corso Venezia, forming the world's most concentrated luxury shopping area. Beyond fashion, the Brera district offers bohemian galleries and the Pinacoteca di Brera (housing Mantegna's 'Dead Christ' and Raphael's 'Marriage of the Virgin'), while the Navigli canal district provides evening atmosphere with its waterfront bars and restaurants.

Nearby Landmarks

Duomo di Milano Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II La Scala Castello Sforzesco

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost EUR 105 (fixed rate)
Time 50-70 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost EUR 70-90
Time 50-70 minutes

Terminal 1 Arrivals, designated area

Train (Malpensa Express (Trenord))

Cost EUR 13
Time 52 minutes
Frequency Every 30 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Malpensa Express from Terminal 1 basement station to Milano Cadorna (52 min) or Milano Centrale (55 min). Trains every 30 minutes. Buy tickets at station or Trenord app.

Terravision Bus

Cost EUR 8
Time 60-75 minutes
Frequency Every 20-30 minutes

Outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Arrivals

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi EUR 105 (fixed rate) 50-70 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare EUR 70-90 50-70 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train EUR 13 52 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic
Bus/Shuttle EUR 8 60-75 minutes Cheapest option

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

The last Malpensa Express departs the airport around 11:25 PM, with the first morning service at 5:25 AM. Between midnight and 5:00 AM, the Malpensa Bus Express (Autostradale) runs limited coach services to Milano Centrale (€10, 50 minutes). Taxis from Malpensa to Milan have a flat fare of €95 (official rate). Milan's metro runs until about 12:30 AM (1:30 AM on weekends). The Navigli area has the most active late-night scene.

Luggage Tips

The Malpensa Express has luggage areas at car ends. Milano Centrale has large luggage lockers in the underground level (€6-9 per item, various sizes, up to 24 hours). Cadorna has more limited luggage storage but is closer to city-center hotels. The Duomo area streets are mostly flat and paved. When using the metro with luggage, note that some older stations have stairs without elevators. Most hotels in the fashion district have bellman service.

Accessibility

Malpensa Airport is fully accessible. The Malpensa Express trains have wheelchair spaces and accessible restrooms. Milano Cadorna and Centrale stations have elevator access (though Centrale's vast layout requires significant navigation). The Duomo square is flat and accessible. The Duomo cathedral has a ground-floor accessible entrance and elevator to the roof terrace. Milan's newer metro Line 5 is fully accessible; older lines have mixed accessibility.