Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is a major international gateway and the primary airport serving the Greater Milan area. It is the largest airport in northern Italy and connects the region to various destinations worldwide.
Together with Milan-Bergamo (BGY) and Milan-Linate (LIN), they make the eighth busiest airport system in Europe serving over 50 million passengers yearly. Malpensa is the airport that most full-service airlines use, whereas the other two focus on the low-cost market.
MXP is located 49 kilometers northwest of Milan, Italy, near Ferno in the province of Varese, Lombardy.
In 2024, Malpensa served a record number of passengers - almost 29 million - which ranked it as the second busiest airport in Italy and among the 25 biggest European airports.
Major Airlines - easyJet, Neos, Ryanair, Wizz Air
Despite hosting many major international airlines, Milan-Malpensa is still dominated by the low-cost market.
The three big in Europe - easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air - serve the majority of flights with regular connections to over 100 destinations combined.
Neos, a private Italian airline, uses Malpensa as its main operating base. It focuses on serving holiday destinations like the Canary Islands of Spain and long-haul flights to cities in Africa, North America, and Asia.
Big airlines with regular flights to and from MXP include:
Aegean Airlines to Athens and Thessaloniki.
Air China to Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Wenzhou.
Air France to Paris CDG.
Delta Air Lines to Atlanta and New York JFK.
Emirates to Dubai.
LATAM Brazil to São Paulo–Guarulhos.
Saudia to Jeddah.
Turkish Airlines to Istanbul
Over 80 airlines serve Milan Malpensa with flights to 5 of the world’s continents. See the full list here.
Terminal Layout of MXP
Milan Malpensa Airport comprises two terminals, which are about 5 km apart. However, a frequent free shuttle bus transports passengers between the terminals.
- Terminal 1: The main terminal. It is divided into three sections as follows:
1A: For domestic and intra-Schengen flights.
1B and 1C: Manage non-Schengen, long-haul, and all intercontinental flights.
Terminal 2: The older terminal which is located on the north end of the airport. It closed for 3 years between 2020 and 2023 and has been used exclusively by easyJet since then.
In general, both terminals are quite efficient, and processing outgoing and incoming passengers is speedy.
Connecting Flights and Transit
The general rule for transits applies at Milan Malpensa: You can remain airside in T1 if you have two tickets booked together with the same or partner airlines.
Separately booked tickets mean that you will be self-transfering. If at least one of the flights is non-Schengen, you will need to clear Immigration, re-check your luggage (if applicable), and re-enter the Security area of the airport.
Terminal 2 doesn’t have any transit facilities because all easyJet flights are treated individually, i.e. they are point-to-point flights and not subject to protected connections.
If you need to transfer between the terminals for connecting flights, use the free shuttle service that operates every 15 minutes, 24/7.
Wi-Fi at MXP
Milan Malpensa offers complimentary Wi-Fi with speeds up to 20Mbps throughout both terminals of the airport.
Connecting to the "MALPENSA FREE WI-FI" network, then when the welcome page loads, register via the form or your Facebook account.
Once registered, you can enjoy unlimited access.
Dining Options at Malpensa Airport
As an airport with flights to 5 continents that sees millions of international tourists every year, Malpensa has many dining options to match the cravings of the diverse crowd.
Many snack bars sell pastries, coffee, and desserts at both terminals. For example, in T1 after Security, you can buy a quick bite at Briciole Bar, Kikki, Panella, Pizza Flor, Starbucks, and at least 10 other outlets. In T2, you can grab a cup of coffee at Venchi, Starbucks, Kimbo, or Kikki.
Sit-down restaurants are aplenty too. Terminal 1 has a dozen different places, including well-known names like Wagamama and Roadhouse, and more local alternatives like Bufala, Antonino, and Fratelli Desideri. These are all located in the Security area.
In Terminal 2, you can have a proper meal at MU (Italian-style burgers), Stortellini (fresh pasta), Pret A Manger, or Burger King (sandwiches, burgers, and fries).
Lounges at MXP
Premium travelers have a lot to choose from in terms of VIP lounges at Malpensa. Still, most of the lounges are accessible to all for a fee between 35 and 45 EUR.
Which one you can enter chiefly depends on whether you fly within Schengen or out of it.
Extra-Schengen flight passengers have access to:
Gae Aulenti Premium Lounge: Located in Boarding area B, open daily from 5:30 AM to 10 PM. Offers complimentary food, comfortable places to sit, work or relax, shower facilities, and more.
Montale Exclusive Lounge: Also located in Boarding area B and open daily from 6:00 AM to 10 PM. Offers much the same amenities for a similar entrance fee.
Pergolesi Classic Lounge: Located on the first floor of Terminal 1 and open from 5:30 AM until 10 PM, this lounge features a rich self-serve buffet available at any time.
Those traveling within Schengen can go to The Monteverdi Classic Lounge located in Boarding Area A and open from 6 AM to 9:30 PM daily.
Lastly, Terminal 2 has only one lounge which serves both Schengen and non-Schengen flights. The Alda Merini Classic Lounge is available between 5 AM to 10 PM on the ground floor, near passport control in T2. It presents a more comfortable place to wait for your flight than the gate area outside.
Transport to and from Malpensa Airport
Malpensa Airport is about 50 km from downtown Milan but pretty well connected with regular buses, trains, and, of course, taxis available around the clock.
The Malpensa Express connects both terminals of the airport to Milan's city center stations, including Bovisa, Cadorna, Centrale, and Porta Garibaldi. Trains depart in both directions every 15 minutes with a journey time of 30 to 50 minutes.
Other trains: There are direct trains to Switzerland, including Bellinzona and Lugano.
Bus Services: The Malpensa Shuttle and the Malpensa Bus Express provide regular shuttle buses between the airport (T1 and T2) and central Milan (Milan Central Station). Together, they have a frequency of 20 minutes with a downtime of just about 3 hours during the night.
Long-distance coaches connect the airport to various cities in Northern Italy such as Turin, Verona, Venice, and Genoa.
There is also a direct shuttle to Milan Linate airport.Taxi: At least 7 different taxi companies operate at the airport with cars available at any time during the day. Fares are set; for example, a trip to Milan costs 110 EUR, to Milan-Linate - 124 EUR, and to Varese - set at 78 EUR.
Car hire is possible at Milan Malpensa with companies having service desks at both terminals. Avis, Europcar, and HERTZ are some of the big names.
Lastly, check these value offers for direct private transfers from Milan Malpensa.
Parking at Milan Malpensa Airport
The parking options you have at Milan Malpensa Airport can be summarized as follows:
P1 Long Term: Just 4 minutes walking to T1 this uncovered parking is the best option for stays longer than 7 days.
P2 Executive, Top Car, and Genius: A covered parking option with direct access to T1.
P3 Express: An uncovered short-term parking very near T1.
P4 Holiday: A parking lot best suited to those flying out of Schengen. It is just 4 minutes from T1 connected via a covered footbridge.
P5 Easy: An uncovered parking close to T2. It is an affordable parking solution for both terminals due to the free shuttle that stops right in front of the lot’s entrance.
P6 Smart and Smart Up: The long-term parking option near T2. Only accessible via the free shuttle.
P6 Smart Coperto and Smart Plus: A convenient, budget-friendly option for parking near T2. Only accessible via the free shuttle.
Pre-booking online guarantees your spot in your desired parking lot and some savings too!
Hotels near Malpensa Airport MXP
There is a way to sleep at the airport terminal by getting one of the pods available at ZZZleepandGo in Terminal 1. Located landside (before Security), on the second floor, these automated cabins allow you to lie flat in relative privacy but leave a lot to be desired in terms of noise insulation and amenities inside. It’s not even that cheap either.
Frankly, better options exist outside the terminal building.
For example, the Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel & Conference Centre is located directly opposite Terminal 1 with direct access to it. It offers a more comfortable and exclusive experience albeit at a higher price.
A youthful and modern accommodation option near Terminal 2 is the Moxy Milan Malpensa Airport. Its budget design, classy rooms with excellent soundproofing, and hi-tech amenities guarantee you will have a relaxing stay.
Milan, Italy
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