Milan Linate Airport (LIN) Flights & Information

Milan Linate Airport (LIN) is an international airport located near the city center of Milan, primarily serving European destinations. The airport can be quite busy, but it’s compact size and modern design make it a relatively stress-free experience. Here are our pro tips for flying in and out of LIN, a great airport choice when connecting from Milan to the rest of Italy or to Europe.

Getting to and from Milan Linate Airport

LIN is about four miles from the center of Milan, making it an easy choice for those who want to avoid the city’s notorious traffic. The airport is connected to the city by several public transportation options, including the recently-opened M4 subway line. It’s also a short drive by distance, although traffic can be a factor to consider.

By subway or bus

In 2022, Milan opened the M4 line on the city’s subway system and in 2023 the city added additional stops, which allow travelers to get from the city center to Linate Aeroporto in 12 minutes. It runs daily from 6 a.m. and it’s the best method of transportation if you don’t have a super early flight. Buses are also available via Milan Central Station or to and from neighboring cities like San Felice.

Those heading to Livigno or Trentino can hop on special bus routes, while FlixBus connects Milan with destinations all around Italy. It’s best to book online in advance when taking a longer bus journey.

By train

Trains connect Milan with Italy and the rest of Europe, which can be a good option if you’re traveling farther afield and don’t want to rent a car. The train station nearest to the airport is Milano Forlanini, with lines S5, S6, and S9 available via the station, but you can also take the subway to Milano Centrale for a larger selection of trains.

By taxi or rideshare app

Taxis are readily available at Milan Linate Airport. There is a fixed fare between the airport and the city center, and also between Linate and Malpensa. Uber is available in Milan, but it can be just as expensive as a taxi and can take longer to arrive for a pick-up. Unless you are dealing with a lot of luggage, I recommend taking advantage of the new subway line and hopping in a taxi or Uber once you hit the city center.

By car

Milan Linate Airport has plenty of parking, as well as rental car options, for those who prefer to drive. Milan is notorious for its insane traffic, which is something to consider, although those heading away from the city may be able to avoid the congestion. There are several parking lots, both covered and uncovered, and passengers can pre-book parking online in advance to save money. To rent a car, head to the arrivals hall and look for the car hire desks, which include Hertz and Sixt.

For shorter term car rentals, try a car-sharing service like Share Now or E-Vai. Both use apps to find nearby cars, which are located in one of Linate’s parking garages. Although I’ve never personally used them, these can be a fun way to drive in and around Milan without committing to a rental car for several days.

Navigating Milan Linate Airport

LIN keeps things simple with a single terminal for both domestic and international flights. It’s divided into departures and arrivals, and the terminal is generally very easy to navigate. It’s served by a small number of international airlines, including Air France, British Airways, Aer Lingus, KLM, Lufthansa, and easyJet. All of the check-in desks are located within the same area, so travelers can simply follow signs to their correct airline.

Inside the terminal past security, LIN is notably modern. There is an extensive duty-free shop, as well as a solid array of restaurants, shops, and cafes. Charging stations and free WiFi are both readily available. Because the airport is in Italy, coffee is plentiful, as are pastries and pizza, but travelers can also grab food at McDonald’s. For a sweet treat, I always head to ice cream shop Venchi.

Besides duty free, there are numerous shops inside LIN, including designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Furla. There are several Hudson news shops for small souvenirs or snacks, as well as grocery store Carrefour Express.

Families with small children can use the Kids Area on the second floor after security, while older kids have access to the Gaming Area near Gate A02-A03. There are also family bathrooms and nursing areas for those who need them.

Because Milan is the fashion capital of Italy many people use their trip as an opportunity to shop. If you’ve bought clothes, jewelry, household goods be sure to stop by one of the VAT refund desks to claim back the taxes. These are located at arrivals, check-in, and departures, and you’ll need an electronic invoice from point of sale to score the refund. You’ll need to have spent a few dozen euros, but it’s worth the brief pit store before going through security.

Security at LIN

Security at LIN tends to be relatively easy, although there can be a queue during busy periods. Frequent fliers and those with certain airline status can use Fast Track, which expedites the security process. Travelers can also opt to buy Fast Track, which is a good idea if you’re in a hurry. Unlike TSA Precheck in the U.S. it doesn’t change the actual security process, but it can mean shorter lines and less people.

If you are traveling with kids 12 and under, be sure to use the dedicated family security lane. It’s a good way to avoid the longer queues, as well as impatient passengers. The lanes are well-marked and easy to find by following the signs.

Airport lounges at Milan Linate Airport

There are two VIP lounges at LIN, both of which have paid access. The Leonardo Exclusive Lounge is located in the boarding area for Schengen Area flights and the Piranesi Classic Lounge is located on the departures level near check-in. The Leonardo Exclusive Lounge is okay if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to work, but it can get crowded and I’ve found the food to be mediocre.

Frequent fliers and elite travelers can take advantage of the British Airways Galleries Lounge, which is open limited hours based on flight times. There is also the ITA Airways Piazza Della Scala Lounge for passengers flying ITA Airways, although it is very small and tends to get full later in the day. The British Airways lounge is worth visiting if you have access in my experience.

Alternative airports in Milan

Milan has three primary airports: Milan Linate Airport, Milan Malpensa Airport, and Milan Bergamo Airport. Malpensa is the main airport for travelers heading outside of Europe, including to and from the United States. It is likely where you’ll fly into when heading to Milan, while Linate and Bergamo are more useful for connecting to other Italian destinations or to cities around Europe and the U.K.

Bergamo is a good alternative to Linate because it’s a hub for budget carrier Ryanair, as well as airlines like easyJet, Eurowings, Wizz Air, and Air Arabia. It serves destinations in Africa and the Middle East, as well as Europe, although passengers will still need to use Malpensa for the U.S. Like Linate, it has one terminal and is relatively easy to navigate.

If you can avoid traveling through Malpensa, it’s worth it. Because it’s the largest airport in Milan, Malpensa tends to have extremely long check-in and security queues, especially during summer travel or around the holidays. I’ve spent nearly an hour going through security at Malpensa and much prefer Linate when returning to the U.K. from Italy.

Airport hotels

Passengers who need to stay adjacent to LIN have a few options. Moxy Milan Linate Airport is clean, stylish, and budget-friendly, while Novotel Milano Linate Aeroporto boasts an outdoor swimming pool. A more expensive, but fashionable choice is the Collini Rooms Hotel Milano Linate Aeroporto, located 10 minutes by far from the airport terminal.

If you have more time, I recommend heading into Milan itself and staying overnight there. It’s a great way to optimize the airport’s proximity to the city center. The M4 subway line brings you directly to San Babila, located near the Duomo, and there are plenty of hotels available for all budgets nearby. Plus, the food in Milan is likely better than anything you’ll eat at the airport.