Milan Linate Airport (LIN) is Milan’s city airport and one of the three primary airports serving the Milan metropolitan area. It is geared toward short- to medium-haul European routes, along with a selection of domestic Italian flights.
The airport is located only about 7 km east of the city centre near Parco Forlanini. Thus, LIN is popular for business travellers and domestic travelers due to its proximity to Milan’s city center. Nonetheless, it also sees a lot of low-cost flights to European cities and several direct flights by some of Europe’s largest carriers.
In 2025, Milan Linate handled over 11 million passengers, ranking as one of Italy’s busiest airports.
Major Airlines - ITA Airways, easyJet
A key airline operating at LIN is ITA Airways, the flag carrier of Italy. It is a part of the Lufthansa Group and offers dozens of domestic connections from Linate, plus regular services to European capitals and some seasonal flights to holiday hotspots. In total, ITA Airways operates more than 1500 flights per month to over 25 destinations.
Other Italian carriers include AeroItalia (domestic services) and Air Dolomiti (direct flights to Frankfurt and Munich).
Second in flights and destinations is the low-cost carrier easyJet, which uniquely uses Linate instead of Milan-Bergamo (BGY) like most of the other European LCCs. EasyJet flies to more than 20 destinations with over 500 flights per month.
Milan-Linate also handles a limited number of short-haul direct flights from Europe. Larger full-service airlines include Aer Lingus, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Luxair, and Scandinavian Airlines.
Long-haul intercontinental services are limited or occasional at LIN. Such services typically operate from Malpensa (MXP).
Terminal Layout and Gates
Milan Linate Airport has one terminal building across three levels:
Ground Floor: Check-in counters, baggage claim areas, and different passenger services.
First Floor: Main departures area with security screening, shops, cafés and restaurants, and boarding gates.
Second Floor: Office space and operational areas. Not available to travelers.
The terminal was last renovated in 2021. The boarding lounges were expanded, a new shopping gallery and food court were created, and the design was modernized.
In total, LIN has 24 gates, 5 of which are connected via jet bridges. The other gates are served via shuttle buses. The terminal is relatively compact, so walk times from security to gates are often under 8 minutes.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Milan-Linate lacks a transit area. Even though connecting flights are theoretically possible (for example, combining ITA Airways domestic and intra-Europe flights), transits remain complicated.
Most flights at LIN are point-to-point, but even if you have two flights under the same reservation (PNR), you will still need to leave the airside zone, go to the Departures Level, and go through security again. At least your luggage will be automatically checked through to your final destination (assuming the same PNR).
Security can be busier during morning peaks and on Friday afternoons, so a minimum of 60 minutes between flights is prudent. International connections with passport control should allow even more than that. Still, Linate is small and walking distances are short - from the furthest gate to baggage claim or landside exit, it is no more than 5-10 minutes of walking.
Wi-Fi and other services
Free Wi-Fi is available airport-wide with the SSID “LINATE FREE WIFI.” The network offers up to 20mbps, has no time limits, and does not require registration.
Other services at Linate Airport include:
ATM, foreign exchange, and VAT refund counters on both ground and first floors.
Family Rooms, Nursery & Baby Pit Stop areas in toilets for families with children.
Family Lane at security, reserved for families with children under 12.
Kids & Gaming Area, which includes interactive games located post-security near the Food Court and near Gate A03.
Chapel near Check-in, on the 1st Floor, landside.
Luggage storage on the Ground Floor. Open from 7 AM to 9 PM. Rates are 7 EUR per day for items up to 30 kg.
Smoker’s box near Gate A16
Post Office in Arrivals.
Pharmacy on the Ground Floor of Arrivals.
Lounges at LIN
Milan Linate Airport has multiple lounge options for travelers of all airlines.
The Leonardo Exclusive Lounge is located in the main Departures Lounge (near Gate A17-A18) and is open from 05:30 to 21:30. It is available to passengers flying both within and outside of Schengen. It includes seating, drinks, snacks, and Wi-Fi accessible to eligible passengers or on paid entry. Costs 50 EUR to enter, less if booked online. The lounge is also available to premium passengers on Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Italy, and Air Malta. You can also use Priority Pass, DragonPass, Lounge Key, Lounge Club, or Diners Club to enter the lounge.
The Piranesi Classic Lounge is on the first floor near Departures, in the Check-in area, and is open every day between 06:00 and 18:00, offering similar amenities. The entry fee is 43 EUR for an unlimited stay, less if booked online.
British Airways also maintains a lounge at LIN - the British Airways Galleries Lounge. It is located next to the airside shopping area and features two separate business centers with computer access and plenty of electrical outlets.
Dining Options at Linate Airport
Linate offers a range of cafés, snack bars, and restaurants both before and after Security.
There are several full-service cafés and bakeries in Departures (especially along the main departure concourse) offering espresso, pastries, and light meals.
The Food Court post-security is a convenient place to grab something to eat because it has multiple informal dining options in a double-height gallery space.
Some popular dining options at LIN are:
Briciole: Located on the First Level, before Security, and open daily from 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Offers healthy salads, pastries, filled flatbreads, sandwiches, cakes, and more.
Motta: Serves Milanese cuisine and sweet treats on the Second Level after Security. Open from 4:30 AM to midnight daily.
Caffe Milano: Go to this authentic Milanese cafe to try the panettone and risotto. It’s on the First Level after Security and is open daily from 5 AM to 9:30 PM.
Michelangelo Bistrò & More: A modern, refined restaurant with a freshly prepared gourmet menu. Find it on the First Level after Security. It’s open every day from 10:30 AM to 10 PM.
Rossopomodoro: A brand famous for its authentic Neapolitan pizzas. Located on the Second Level after Security. Open daily, 11 AM to 11 PM.
Alemagna: A cake shop with over 100 years of history in Milan. Renowned for its elegance and tradition, the pastries it offers are some of the best at Linate Airport. It’s located on the First Level before Security and is open daily from 4 AM to 10 PM.
Also at Linate, you can get a quick bite at McDonald’s, Illy Cafe, or Brera Cafe, or sit down for a pizza at Pizza Flor or Saporè.
Transportation to and from the airport
The most convenient mode of transport between Milan and Linate Airport is Metro Line M4 (also known as the Blue Line). This is a direct underground service to central Milan (e.g., San Babila), which takes about 15 minutes and costs only 2.20 EUR, valid for 90 minutes for transfers. You can pay using your contactless card. The line terminates at San Cristoforo.
The metro only operates between 6 AM and 12:30 AM. During the night, the M4 service is replaced by the NM4 night bus line, which also includes intermediate stops before it reaches San Cristoforo.
The alternative public transport is Milan's public buses, specifically Urban Lines 73 and X73. Line 73 runs every 10 minutes daily, while Line X73 runs every 20 minutes on weekdays. Both terminate at San Babila Metro station.
Other handy buses at LIN are Starfly, which runs to Lambrate and Milano Centrale Railway Station every 20-30 minutes, and Air Bus, which has a similar frequency and also goes to Milano Centrale but stops at Piazza Dateo on the way. Single tickets cost 5 EUR on either bus, 9 EUR for a return.
Taxis operate 24/7 outside the terminal, near Exit Gate 5. They don’t have fixed fares from Linate; instead, they utilize the meter. Typical rides to Milan centre take 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and cost between 30-40 EUR.
Car Sharing has become quite popular in recent years. Services like Enjoy, Car2Go, E-Vai, and DriveNow operate from the P2 parking area, offering flexible car-rental/sharing from the airport. Check the respective website/app for more information.
Parking at Milan-Linate Airport
Milan Linate offers several on-site parking options directly in front of the terminal, many within walking distance:
P1 XL: Closest to the terminal with direct access to the check-in areas. Offers a mix of covered and uncovered parking spots. Rates start at 43 EUR per day.
P2 Executive: Offers direct tunnel access to check-in. Parking rates start at 42 EUR per day.
P2 Rider: Covered motorbike and scooter parking at 7 EUR per day.
P3 Smart: Just a 2-minute walk from the terminal. Only accepts online bookings. Parking rates start at 39 EUR per day.
P4 New: Located a 10-minute walk from the terminal with free shuttle service. Rates start from 34 EUR per day.
The recommended disabled parking is at P1 Top Class and P2 Executive. Free parking is available for permit holders with documentation.
Electric vehicle charging stations are located in the arrivals forecourt.
All parking lots offer cheaper rates if booked online.
Hotels near Milan-Linate Airport
Linate Airport does not have a hotel directly attached to the terminal itself. However, several hotels are within a few minutes' drive by car or taxi.
The Moxy Milan Linate Airport is so close (~700 m), you can even walk to/from the terminal. The Moxy is a new, youthful hotel, famous for its Plug and Meet gathering areas in the lobby, among the expected airport hotel amenities.
The Novotel Milano Linate Aeroporto is another popular option for overnight stays close to LIN. It’s a little farther (~5 km by car) but offers a 4-star experience with an outdoor swimming pool and several green areas for relaxation. Pets welcome too!
Milan, Italy
Yes
