Arriving in Milan
1. By Air from the UK
Alitalia, British Airways and easyJet fly into Milan from many UK airports. From Ireland, Aer Lingus flies into Milan Malpensa and Linate. Ryanair flies from Ireland and the UK to Bergamo’s Orio al Serio airport, which is linked to Milan by bus.
2. By Air from North America
There are direct flights to Milan Malpensa from North American cities on US airlines as well as Italy’s Alitalia, but most flights are via Rome. No direct flights from Canada.
3. By Air from Australia
Alitalia flies Sydney to Rome, from where you can transfer to Milan. Qantas flies from various Australian and New Zealand cities to Rome via Bangkok, though it’s cheaper to fly via London.
4. By Air from the Continent
The national airlines of many European countries offer flights into one of Milan’s airports. On the continent, Ryanair flies to Milan from Frankfurt-Hahn, Brussels, Paris and Barcelona; Virgin Express flies in from Brussels.
5. Internet Air Bargains
Most airlines use their websites to promote sales and bargain tickets. Expedia and Travelocity collate most regular best fares offered from the US and UK. Booking engines run by airline consortiums include Orbitz in the US and Opodo in Europe. Also check sites such as www.lastminute.com.
Internet Agents • www.expedia.co.uk • www.opodo.co.uk
6. Malpensa Airport
Closer to Varese than to Milan, the airport is linked by the Malpensa Express to Cadorna, Garibaldi and Centrale stations in western Milan (40 minutes, leaving every half-hour). You can also catch a bus: Malpensa Express or Shuttle (50 mins, 2–3 per hour) to central Milan.
7. Linate Airport
Milan’s secondary airport, just east of the city, receives many Alitalia flights as well as those from across Europe. The 73 and X73 city buses leave every 20 minutes for the 25-minute trip to central Milan (buy tickets on the bus). Alternatively, take a taxi into the centre. It’s the quickest and easiest option, and not terribly expensive.
8. By Train
From London, you can take the Eurostar to Paris and pick up one of three daily trains to Milan (they take anywhere between 6 hours 30 mins and 10 hours 30 mins). All international services come into Milan’s Stazione Centrale.
9. Milan’s Train Stations
Most trains arrive at Milan’s Stazione Centrale; its tourist office is on the first floor, opposite platform 14. Other stations in Milan include Cadorna, also known as Milano Nord (services to Malpensa airport, Como and Varese), Porta Genova (Asti, Alessandra and other points southwest), and Porta Garibaldi (Lecco, Firenze, Roma).
10. By Car
While many roads to Italy involve crossing the Alps either by tunnel or via mountain passes, the border crossing at Ventimiglia from the French Riviera and Ponte Tresa or Porto Ceresio from Switzerland are exceptions. Autostrade are toll roads, so have cash or cards available.
