How to get from Linate Airport to Milan city centre

Linate (LIN) is Milan's small, central airport — only 7 km east of the Duomo. Since the M4 (Blue) metro line opened all the way to San Babila, getting into town is faster and cheaper than at almost any other European city airport. This guide covers every realistic option in 2026, with current prices, travel times and the pitfalls locals avoid.

At a glance: which option suits you

| Option | Time to centre | Price | Best for | |---|---|---|---| | M4 metro | 12–15 min | €2.20 | Solo / couple, hand luggage | | Bus 73 (ATM urban) | 25–35 min | €2.20 | Budget, late evening | | Airport Bus Express | 25 min | €7 | Direct to Milano Centrale | | Taxi (white, official) | 15–25 min | €25 flat to centre | Families, lots of luggage | | Private transfer (pre-booked) | 15–25 min | €30–60 | Early/late flights, certainty |

1. M4 metro — the default option since 2024

The M4 (Blue line) connects Linate Aeroporto directly to San Babila (one stop from the Duomo) in 12 minutes, with trains every 4–6 minutes from 06:00 to 00:30. From San Babila you can change to M1 (Red) for the Duomo, Cadorna, Cairoli, or to M3 (Yellow) at the Duomo for Milano Centrale.

• Ticket: standard ATM urban ticket, €2.20. Buy at vending machines, with contactless (tap your card directly on the gate), or in the ATM Milano app.
• Stops along the way: Forlanini FS (national rail interchange), Dateo, Tricolore, San Babila.
• Luggage: trains are modern and step-free, but they fill up at rush hour (07:30–09:30, 17:30–19:30). With a large suitcase, board the first or last car.

The M4 is the right answer for 9 out of 10 travellers. The only times it isn't: very late arrivals after 00:30, very early departures before 06:00, or three+ passengers with big luggage (a taxi splits cheaper).

2. Bus 73 — the local secret

The 73 is an ordinary urban bus that runs from Linate Airport to Piazza San Babila every 10 minutes, day and evening. The N73 night bus covers the same route from 00:30 to 05:30.

• Price: €2.20 (same urban ticket — valid 90 min, includes one metro ride after).
• Time: 25–35 minutes depending on traffic.
• Pros: runs when the metro doesn't, cheap.
• Cons: slower than the M4, no dedicated luggage racks.

Take it after the metro closes, or if your hotel is on the bus route (Corso XXII Marzo, Piazza Cinque Giornate).

3. Airport Bus Express — direct to Milano Centrale

Two operators (Autostradale, Air Bus) run a coach service between Linate and Milano Centrale in about 25 minutes, every 30 minutes from roughly 05:30 to 23:30.

• Price: €7 one-way, €11 return. Book online or on board.
• Best for: travellers heading directly to Milano Centrale for a train (Malpensa Express, high-speed to Rome, Como, Verona).

If you're staying near Milano Centrale, this is more convenient than the M4 + M3 hop. For our own guests at Viale Sondrio 5, it stops 600 m away. See our guide to short stays in Milan for how to chain transfers efficiently.

4. Taxi — fixed €25 flat to the centre

Official Milan taxis are white, with a meter and a roof sign. From Linate to anywhere inside the "centro storico" (the Cerchia dei Bastioni ring) the fare is a flat €25 — no meter, no surcharges. To other neighbourhoods the meter runs normally (typically €20–35).

• Where: official rank right outside Arrivals. Ignore anyone offering "taxi?" inside the terminal — they are unlicensed.
• Payment: card accepted by law, but always confirm before getting in.
• Time: 15 minutes off-peak, 25–30 in traffic.

For a family of four with luggage, the flat €25 beats four metro tickets (€8.80) once you factor in the hassle of changing line at San Babila.

5. Private transfer — when certainty matters

For early-morning departures, very late arrivals, or if you simply want a name on a sign and a fixed price, book a private transfer in advance. Expect €30–60 for a sedan, slightly more for a van.

Enjoy Milano Skyline runs a flat €130 private transfer that also covers Malpensa and Bergamo — overkill for Linate alone, but useful if you're combining Linate arrival with a Malpensa departure. Details on the Malpensa transfer prices guide.

What about car rental?

Linate has all the major rental desks. Don't. Milan's centre is inside Area B and Area C (low-emission zones with daily fees), most streets are residents-only, and parking is brutally expensive. Read our parking near Milano Centrale guide and mobility without a car before renting anything.

Tickets, apps and how to pay

• ATM Milano app (iOS/Android): buy tickets, see live metro times, plan routes. The simplest setup for a short stay.
• Contactless at the gate: tap any Visa/Mastercard or phone wallet at the metro gate or on the bus reader. The system charges the best fare automatically and caps at the daily maximum (€7.60).
• Paper ticket: still works, sold at machines and tobacco shops.

A single urban ticket (€2.20) covers the M4 from Linate plus one connection within 90 minutes — perfect for the airport-to-hotel hop.

Arriving late at night

Linate's last flights land around 23:30. The M4 runs until 00:30, so anything later means bus 73, taxi, or pre-booked transfer. If you're worried about a delay pushing you past the metro's last run, build in a Plan B before you fly.

If your check-in window is tight, see the late check-in in Milan guide — many guest houses (ours included) accept arrivals until 01:00.

FAQ

How long does it really take from Linate to the Duomo? M4 from Linate to San Babila is 12 minutes, plus a 5-minute walk to the Duomo. Door-to-door, 20–25 minutes including buying a ticket.

Is the M4 metro running 24/7? No. Roughly 06:00–00:30 daily, with slightly extended hours on Saturday nights. Bus 73 / N73 covers the rest.

Can I pay with a US/UK credit card? Yes — every metro gate, bus reader, taxi terminal and vending machine accepts contactless Visa/Mastercard.

Where's the taxi rank at Linate? Right outside Arrivals, signposted "TAXI". Don't follow drivers who approach you inside the terminal.

Is Linate or Malpensa easier to reach Milan from? Linate, by a wide margin. Malpensa is 50 km away and needs a 50-minute train or a 1-hour drive — see our Malpensa to Milan stress-free guide for the trade-offs.

Where should I stay in Milan after landing at Linate? The Centrale / Porta Venezia / Buenos Aires axis is the easiest: one metro hop from M4 via San Babila + M1, and walking distance to Milano Centrale for onward trains. See Best areas to stay in Milan.