Linate sits just five miles from the Milan city center, making it the most convenient airport option for reaching the city. With excellent transport connections and a compact, easy-to-navigate terminal, it’s become the go-to choice for business travelers. While it’s technically the second airport in Milan after Malpensa, many consider it the best for city access.
Its location and size also restrict its capacity to national and European destinations only. Despite that, 9.4 million passengers travel through its gates annually, and it was recently named Europe’s Best Airport in its size category (5-10 million passengers) by the Airport Council International. Not too shabby.
Getting to and from Milan
The airport is officially named Airport Enrico Forlanini after the Milan-born aeronautical pioneer. Most folks just know it by its location near the village of Linate. That prime spot, just five miles from the city center, is what makes it such a great option for getting into Milan without a headache.
Taxi
Taxis take around 20-30 minutes from the central station, though traffic in Milan can extend that during rush hours (7:30 am to 10 am and 4:30 pm to 8 pm). If you’ve hit the fashion stores hard and are hauling luggage, it’s a convenient option.
While there are fixed fares for specific routes like Linate–Milan Fiera Rho (€68) and Linate–Malpensa (€124-€128), trips to Milan city center are metered. During peak hours, consider the metro instead.
Metro and train
The Metro M4 Blue line (MM4) gets you to San Babila station, steps from the Duomo, in just 12 minutes. It stops at Dateo and Forlanini stations for convenient connections to the regional rail network. The line opened recently and has completely transformed the Linate commute.
Tickets cost €2.20, last 90 minutes, and cover buses, trams, and suburban railway lines. It’s one of the easiest public transport routes I’ve used in years. If you’re traveling late, the NM4 night bus runs during non-operational hours (approximately 00:30 to 05:40), covering the route between Linate Airport and San Cristoforo.
Bus and shuttle
With the new metro line fully operational as the primary link to San Babila, I have to wonder how much longer the reorganized bus services will stick around. But if you’d rather take the scenic route, check current ATM schedules for bus options. Prices are similar to the metro but the journey takes two or three times as long.
If you need to connect to Milan Malpensa Airport for an onward flight, various bus services are available. Expect the transfer to take around 75 minutes, traffic permitting.
Driving and parking
Renting a car? It’s a quick drive from Linate to the main freeways that get you to the rest of the wonders in Italy. The A1, A4, A7, and A8 autostrade (freeways) are all easy to access. Just be ready for some toll roads along the way.
There’s plenty of parking with four lots available. P1 (XL) and P2 (Executive) connect directly to the terminal for short and long term parking, while P3 (Smart) is an uncovered value option just 2 minutes away, available for online purchase only. P4 (New) is a ten-minute walk or a free shuttle ride away. My advice? Book your parking space online in advance.
You’ll find a ton of car hire options, including all the major players and a few local companies with desks at Arrivals. My default choice is Drivalia for its balance of price and service, but I’ve not tried the (usually cheaper) regional companies like Autovia, Locauto, or the geographically confused Sicily By Car.
Airlines serving Linate
Linate operates with 19 airlines flying to 43 destinations across 14 countries. Like most Euro-centric airports, the majority fall into the low-cost category.
The national flag carrier ITA Airways is by far the largest operator with approximately 387 weekly departures from Linate. The Milan Linate–Rome Fiumicino route is particularly popular with business travelers. Flights to and from Linate are typically a little more expensive than at Malpensa, but in my experience, the convenience usually outweighs the extra cost if you’re heading into the city.
One thing to know is that flight schedules at Linate can change a lot by season. ITA in particular often opens up new routes for specific times of year, like ski destinations in the winter, so it’s always worth checking to see what’s on offer.
Navigating the airport
Linate has just one terminal, which makes it a breeze to get around. Arrivals are on the ground floor, departures on the first floor, and lounges and business facilities on the second floor (the third level). The design streamlines passenger flow, with new facilities added during ongoing redevelopment.
If you’re transferring between flights at Linate, plan extra time as you may need to go through security again. Within the Schengen area, you typically won’t need to clear immigration. Cutting it close? You can buy a Fast Track pass to jump the security lines.
Check in, bag drop and security
There are 71 luggage drop counters and 12 hand luggage only desks, which is just about enough to keep lines from getting too crazy. The whole area feels stylish and beautifully designed, so even if you do have to queue to drop off your shopping bags, it’s a nice place to do it.
Security is one of the true bright spots of the Linate experience, and it’s not often I say that. Smart scanners have replaced aging machines, cutting queues dramatically. I’ve never waited more than 15 minutes.
Thanks to EDS-CB smart scanners, you don’t have to remove laptops and liquids from bags. Linate has recently been authorized to allow liquids over 100ml (up to 2 liters) to remain in hand luggage, making security even smoother.
Shopping, eating and drinking in the terminal
The pizzas at Saporè are a solid choice for dining at Linate. If you have the time, go wild with the tasting menu that offers doughs prepared in different ways. Linate once had an excellent airport restaurant in Italy at Michelin-listed Michelangelo, but it’s sadly closed.
If you’ve already had too much pizza, the Brazilian sushi at Temakinho offers something different. Otherwise, it’s awesome pastries at Vyta and Venchi, and more great coffee than you could safely drink before a flight. Michelangelo Bistrò & More, a collaboration with Ferrari Trento that replaced the old Ferrari Spazio Bollicine, offers an escape from the crowds and some great wines, but the service can be painful. If you’re in a rush, don’t be afraid to flag down a waiter, but expect to get a little side-eye in response.
Shopping here can’t compare to the mega malls of Malpensa, but there’s still plenty of authentic Italiana on offer. True to its Milanese fashion roots, the big names are here, like Emporio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana. There are plenty of more interesting options too, and the layout at Linate means you’ll have to walk past them all to get to your gate.
Lounges
Linate offers several lounges, which speaks to its status as a favorite for business travelers. The British Airways Lounge and ITA Airways Runway Lounge (renovated and renamed in May 2025) offer limited access for qualifying passengers. You’ll also find additional lounge options throughout the terminal.
The Sala Leonardo offers a decent range of food and drink with plenty of quiet corners to work in. It’s comfy and convenient, though it doesn’t offer showers (a mistake for those early and late business flights, in my view). Online bookings typically offer unlimited stay, though walk-in access rules may vary, and cost about the same as a meal and glass of wine elsewhere in the airport.
Other Milan airports
The major airport of Milan is Malpensa, a huge transport hub 29 miles outside of the city. If you’re flying to or from the US, Malpensa is your only option. It’s also well located for traveling into northern Italy, to the Lakes and Dolomite Mountains.
The outlier is Milan’s third airport, Milan-Bergamo, located 31 miles northeast. Also convenient for the Lakes, especially Lake Garda, it’s a great option for cheap flights around Europe without having to travel into Milan proper. It’s far bigger than Linate but also far more crowded and chaotic.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
