How to get from Milan Linate Airport to Milan City Centre: Complete 2026 Guide
Linate is 7 km from central Milan, the closest of its three airports. The bus, metro and taxi options, with costs and journey times.
Milan Linate Airport (LIN), known as Enrico Forlanini Airport, is the closest of Milan's 3 airports to the city centre and the one used most by business travellers (the other two are Bergamo and Malpensa). Here's why: it's just 7km (4m) from central Milan so it's very convenient for transfers. A taxi will take about 15-20 minutes and the new Metro M4 Blue Line just 12 minutes to San Babila.
Easiest Transfer: Metro M4 Blue Line (€2.20, every 4-6 minutes) or taxi (€20-30, 15 minutes)
Metro Connection: Best Public Transport Option (M4 Blue Line)
Since 2022, the metro (M4 Blue Line) connects Linate Airport directly to San Babila station, in the centre of Milan's fashion district. Transfer there to other lines.
- Cost: €2.20 for a standard 90-minute ATM public transport ticket.
- Duration: Around 12-15 minutes from Linate to San Babila. Trains every 4-6 minutes, running 6am to midnight.
How to Find the Metro at the Airport: the metro entrance is directly connected to the arrivals terminal at Linate and is clearly signposted.
ATM Bus 73
Before the Metro started, the bus was the easiest transfer for most visitors to Milan and still runs every 10 minutes to San Babila. If you see express bus X73, it runs the same route very slightly faster for the same price.
- Cost: €2.20 for a standard 90-minute ATM public transport ticket (you can tap to pay).
- Duration: Around 25 minutes to San Babila. Buses every 10 minutes, from 5.35am to 12.35am.
How to Find the Bus at the Airport: the bus stop is directly outside the arrivals hall.
Taxi from Linate Airport to Milan City Centre
Take an official white taxi from the rank outside the arrivals hall. The official taxis have metered fares (and no fixed pricing zones).
- Cost: €20-25 to most central locations. Expect a higher price in heavy traffic at peak times.
- Duration: 15-20 minutes to central Milan if the traffic complies!
Need to know: +€1 per piece of luggage, Sundays (+€5), and night service 10pm-6am (+€6.50).
Where to Stay in Central Milan
Good Hotels in Milan near Transport
Since both the M4 Metro and Bus 73 terminate at San Babila in the fashion district, staying near there gives you excellent airport access while being in Milan's most prestigious area. An easy win!
Near San Babila (Direct Bus Access):
- Luxury: Park Hyatt Milano - Ultra-modern luxury facing the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Mid-range: Hotel Spadari al Duomo - Boutique hotel close to the cathedral and fashion district
In the Business District (Easy Metro Access):
- Luxury: Bulgari Hotel Milano - Ultra-exclusive property in Brera with private garden
- Mid-range: Hotel Gran Duca di York - Historic property near La Scala opera house
Near Milano Centrale (Also Good for Bergamo/Malpensa):
- Mid-range: Hotel Michelangelo Milano - Walking distance to station and Corso Buenos Aires shopping
- Budget: Hotel Garda - Simple, clean rooms near the station
Rideshare Options
Both Uber and Bolt operate from Linate. Expect the price and duration to be very similar to official taxis (€15-25 to Milan city centre) but even higher than taxis if there's a price surge. The pickup areas are well-marked with signs in arrivals.
Car Rental at Linate Airport
All the main rental companies have desks right in the arrivals hall. I use Discover Cars or Expedia to compare prices as soon as I've booked my flights.
Need to Know: There's a congestion charge in central Milan of €5 per day Monday-Friday 7:30am-7:30pm. Plus most hotels charge €25-40 per night for parking. Factor this in!
Private Transfer Services
If you prefer a door-to-door transfer with fixed pricing (particularly if you've got a group or heavy luggage), there's the usual private car pickup services at Milan Linate. Book a private transfer here for guaranteed pickup and meet-and-greet service. Expect a driver with a name sign inside the arrivals hall.
Linate Express Bus (Limited Service)
There's a premium shuttle service that goes to Milano Centrale station (instead of San Babila like the public transport options). When it's in operation, it costs €6 one-way and runs every 30 minutes.
Milano Linate Airport to Milan Transport Comparison
Milano Linate Airport to Milan Centre: Transport Options Compared
| Transport Method | Cost | Journey Time | Frequency | Best For | Pros & Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro M4 Blue Line (Direct connection) | €2.20 90-min validity | 12-15 minutes to San Babila | Every 4-6 minutes | All travellers | Fastest public transport Direct terminal connection No traffic delays Modern and accessible Limited to metro network hours |
| ATM Bus 73 (Regular Service) | €2.20 90-min validity | 25 minutes to San Babila | Every 10 minutes | When metro is closed | Good value Later service hours Slower than metro Traffic dependent |
| ATM Express X73 (Limited stops) | €2.20 Same as regular | 20 minutes to San Babila | Every 20 minutes (peak hours) | Peak hour alternative | Faster than regular bus Fewer passengers Limited service times Still slower than metro |
| Official Taxi | €20-30 Metered fare | 15-20 minutes | Available 24/7 | Late arrivals & convenience | Door-to-door service 24/7 availability Traffic dependent Extra charges (luggage, nights) |
| Uber/Bolt | €15-25 Surge pricing applies | 15-20 minutes | On-demand | Tech-savvy travellers | App convenience Competitive pricing Surge pricing during events |
| Private Transfer | €40-60 Up to 4 people | 15-20 minutes | Pre-booked | Early flights & business meetings | Fixed pricing Meet & greet service Flight monitoring Must book in advance Most expensive option |
| Linate Express (To Milano Centrale) | €6 One-way | 30 minutes | Every 30 minutes | Milano Centrale area visitors | Guaranteed seating Luggage space Limited operating hours More expensive than metro |
| Car Rental | €30-60/day Plus parking & tolls | 15-20 minutes | Available on arrival | Exploring beyond Milan | Maximum flexibility Explore wider region Area C congestion charge (€5) Expensive city parking (€25-40/night) |
Quick Recommendation: The Metro M4 Blue Line (€2.20) is now the clear winner - fastest public transport with direct terminal connection and no traffic delays. For late arrivals when metro is closed, taxis (€20-30) offer reliable 24/7 service.
Conclusion: Best Way from Linate Airport to Milan City Centre
The vast majority of visitors will do the same I do and take the metro. It's reliable, fast and really cheap. If you're travelling for business or if you've got luggage, a taxi or pre-booked car will get you door-to-door.
One final tip: the €2.20 metro or bus ticket gives you 90 minutes of any public transport within Milan, so if San Babila isn't your final destinaton, you can reuse the same ticket to get closer to your hotel. Love a bargain!
Popular Milan Experiences to Book
Planning your Milan adventure? These highly-rated tours suit first-time visitors:
Experience
Duration
Highlights
Best For
Skip-the-Line Duomo & Rooftop Tour
2-3 hours
Gothic cathedral, rooftop terraces, city views
Standout landmark, Instagram photos
The Last Supper & Sforza Castle Tour
3 hours
Da Vinci masterpiece, historic castle, expert guide
Art lovers, culture enthusiasts
Milan Street Food Walking Tour
3-4 hours
Aperitivo culture, local markets, traditional dishes
Foodies, authentic Milan experience
La Scala Theatre & Museum Tour
1-2 hours
Iconic opera house, backstage access, museum
Music lovers, luxury experience
Skip-the-Line Duomo & Rooftop Tour
2-3 hours
Gothic cathedral, rooftop terraces, city views
Best for: Standout landmark, Instagram photos
The Last Supper & Sforza Castle Tour
3 hours
Da Vinci masterpiece, historic castle, expert guide
Best for: Art lovers, culture enthusiasts
Milan Street Food Walking Tour
3-4 hours
Aperitivo culture, local markets, traditional dishes
Best for: Foodies, authentic Milan experience
La Scala Theatre & Museum Tour
1-2 hours
Iconic opera house, backstage access, museum
Best for: Music lovers, luxury experience
💡 Booking Tip: The Last Supper requires advance booking and sells out weeks ahead. Book as early as possible to secure your preferred time slot.
Linate Airport Transportation FAQ
Take Metro M4 Blue Line (€2.20, 12-15 minutes) for the best option, or a taxi (€20-30, 15 minutes) for door-to-door convenience. Both are reliable and frequent.
Official taxis charge €20-30 to Milan city centre using metered fares. The exact cost depends on your destination and time of day, with supplements for luggage, nights, and Sundays.
Yes, both Uber and Bolt operate from Linate with good availability. Costs typically range from €15-25 to the city centre, often competitive with official taxis.
Yes, since 2022. The M4 Blue Line connects directly from the terminal to San Babila in 12-15 minutes.
For city access, yes. Linate is 7km from downtown (15-25 minutes) while Malpensa is 45km away (45-60 minutes). Flying into Linate will save you an hour in each direction (which matters if you're only staying a couple of days).
If you miss the last bus (00.35), take a taxi.
Linate is closest at 7km, followed by Malpensa at 45km, then Bergamo at 55km. If you have a choice, Linate offers the quickest and cheapest city centre access.
For European flights, arrive 2 hours early. For international flights, arrive 2.5 hours early. The journey from city centre takes just 15-25 minutes, so you can leave later than from other Milan airports.
Planning a trip to Italy's other major airports? Check out my guide to Bergamo Airport transportation.
Featured image credit: Saggittarius A, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
