Italy - Question about MXP (Milan Malpensa)

I'll be flying into MXP for the first time this Saturday.............and I've heard this airport is a real nightmare. As in the worst in Europe.

Can anyone provide info that will make my transition from the plane, thru immigration and onto the highway as easy and painless as possible?

Thanks!

I go through MXP all the time; I don't see the problems. Certainly not in a royal mess category like CDG. The floorplan is pretty straight forward, and if you're exiting and not connecting, it is very simple. Just follow the crowd and the signs, clear immigration. If you're a U.S. or EU passport holder, it's a real breeze; for people with Asian, African or eastern European passports, expect two or three minutes of questioning.

Upon return, the security lines can be long but they are more efficient and quicker than similar lines in the U.S. The AZ lounges are like bus terminals, and boarding can be almost as disorganized as at JFK. (plus, AZ doesn't do separate elite boarding, don't know about the others)

BTW, welcome to FT! And be sure to come back and report how it goes for you, let us know if you do have any problems.

I go through MXP all the time; I don't see the problems. Certainly not in a royal mess category like CDG. The floorplan is pretty straight forward, and if you're exiting and not connecting, it is very simple. Just follow the crowd and the signs, clear immigration. If you're a U.S. or EU passport holder, it's a real breeze; for people with Asian, African or eastern European passports, expect two or three minutes of questioning.

Upon return, the security lines can be long but they are more efficient and quicker than similar lines in the U.S. The AZ lounges are like bus terminals, and boarding can be almost as disorganized as at JFK. (plus, AZ doesn't do separate elite boarding, don't know about the others)

BTW, welcome to FT! And be sure to come back and report how it goes for you, let us know if you do have any problems.

Excellent! Thank you for your help.

I'm w/the previous post on this. MXP is by no means a "real nightmare" It is however, very, very large. But follow the signs (which are in Italian and English) through immigration, claim your bags and voila - exit the secure area. The shuttle from MXP to the center of the city runs about eveyr 1/2 hour - and (again is clearly marked) and very reasonably priced.

I'm w/the previous post on this. MXP is by no means a "real nightmare" It is however, very, very large. But follow the signs (which are in Italian and English) through immigration, claim your bags and voila - exit the secure area. The shuttle from MXP to the center of the city runs about eveyr 1/2 hour - and (again is clearly marked) and very reasonably priced.

I'm glad to hear that. I did read that in 1999 or 2000 MXP was voted the worst airport in Europe, which is what got me worried.

I know very little Italian and I'm counting on the kindness of others.:p

I'm glad to hear that. I did read that in 1999 or 2000 MXP was voted the worst airport in Europe, which is what got me worried.

This explains a lot. Given that date, I suspect that the survey you read was about the Old MXP - which indeed left something to be desired. There a world of difference between the old airport and the current MXP.

If you're heading into Milan, there is bus service but also the Malpensa Express train is fast and, IMHO, much more pleasant. (riding into the city in a bus in morning rush hour traffic isn't my idea of fun).

I've flown through/to/from MXP 7x in the past year. I'd say the airport is better than LHR for the most part.

If you're heading into Milan, there is bus service but also the Malpensa Express train is fast and, IMHO, much more pleasant. (riding into the city in a bus in morning rush hour traffic isn't my idea of fun).

I agree. Taking the train into town and back to the airport was a breeze. It was clean, efficient, and easy to navigate.

Agree with taking the train. I flew in there a week ago for the first time (usually come into Linate, via FRA) and the train was easy to find. Get a ticket at the booth (signs in English and Italian) for 11 euros. The ticket agent manning the booth on a Sunday morning spoke perfect English. The train goes right into Cadorna station in central Milan and there is a taxi stand or the Metro right there.

Well,
my "home" airport is MXp, and I would say that is very very easy and quick to move around.
It has been designed for very short walk. You will notice that from taxi drop off area to checkin, and then gate you will not walk more than 200 meters! And the same when you will arrive!
In my opinion is much better than many other big airports like CDG, AMS, LHR, JFK, MSP....

If your final destination is MXP, there is usually no problem and it is a good airport. If you connect through MXP during the wintertime, the fog in MXP leads to many delays and cancellations. You just need to build some slack into your itinerary.

Little OT but we will also be flying into MXP in 3 weeks. We are staying at the Park Hyatt near the Duomo so I am trying to figure out if we should take the train or a taxi to the hotel. Since we are in Italy for 9 days we will have two suitcases (one each) and I am worried about schlepping them on a train. Would the taxi be the easiest alterantive? Anyone have any idea what the cost would be vs. the train?

Little OT but we will also be flying into MXP in 3 weeks. We are staying at the Park Hyatt near the Duomo so I am trying to figure out if we should take the train or a taxi to the hotel. Since we are in Italy for 9 days we will have two suitcases (one each) and I am worried about schlepping them on a train. Would the taxi be the easiest alterantive? Anyone have any idea what the cost would be vs. the train?

How big are the suitcases?

Would the taxi be the easiest alterantive? Anyone have any idea what the cost would be vs. the train?IIRC (and it's been a couple of years for me) taxi fare is usually quoted at between €80 to €100. The obvious advantage is door-to-door service.

Taking the train would place you (as mentioned above) at Cadorna Station, which would entail either a short taxi ride from there to the PH, or else a switch to the Metropolitana (three stops to the Duomo station on the red line, IIRC - I think that this is the closest Metro station to the PH.

How big are the suitcases?
Mid size roller ones probably 25-28" or so. Remember we are packing for 9 days! Would love to be able to do it with a roller carry-on.

Mid size roller ones probably 25-28" or so. Remember we are packing for 9 days! Would love to be able to do it with a roller carry-on.

I lived in Italy for two years and the single best piece of advice I can give you: PACK LIGHT. Shlepping two 28" suitcases will cause you no end of troubles. They will be difficult w/the train, w/some cabs, not mention the potential for paying excess baggage weight fees. I shudder to think how miserable you'll be if you're planning on visiting Venice w/said bags.

To my mind, 9 days = 3 outfits

See also, http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlight_new.htm

How was the old Malpensa like, the one of 20 years ago?

During that time, I flew into Linate because I wanted to go to Milan, not the boondocks. Anyone comments or description?

Anyone with memories of Gardermoen Airport, the one at the same location of Oslo, before being rebuilt, post comments, too, please. I've never been there.

I have been to Washington Dulles 20 years ago when it was still a white elephant.

How was the old Malpensa like, the one of 20 years ago?

Not that different from the Linate of 20 years ago. Grey, industrial looking and not nearly large enough to accomodate the crowds. For some time after the new MXP opened, the Old MXP was still operating/handling freight flights. Don't know if it still is or not.

For some time after the new MXP opened, the Old MXP was still operating/handling freight flights. Don't know if it still is or not.

Wasn't the old and new MXP the same airport except for the big, new passenger terminal and some taxiways?

Wasn't the old and new MXP the same airport except for the big, new passenger terminal and some taxiways?I also think that this is true - the "original" MXP (I remember flying into it in the early '90s) is now called Terminal 2 - IIRC it is used mostly by charters and by the LCCs that do not have operations in Terminal 1. The construction of T1 was a much-needed expansion, not a replacement of an entire airport in the fashion that Stapleton was replaced by DIA.


IIRC:


T2 is a single-level structure, while T1 is multi-level
A shuttle bus connects the two terminals (this is how the T2 passengers get to the Malpensa Express train station, there isn't a separate train stop for T2
The relatively new Crowne Plaza Hotel sits between the two Terminals

we flew in and out of mxp a number of times in the 80's. it was just a busy facility with employees who did not speak much english and has a casual way about them regarding service. one never knew what was going on. it was certainly on a par with cdg, lhr, jfk, iad, ord, atl, fra, etc.

the big problem was fog in winter. tremendous delays, lots of flights directed to pisa, or elsewhere.

the current airport is just another big airport that requires lots of walking to get around. the hired help has been civilized(when not on strike), and taught english.

BTW, welcome to FT! And be sure to come back and report how it goes for you, let us know if you do have any problems.

Everyone was right about MXP........at least when it comes to getting into Milan. The whole process was pretty easy to figure out. Although I will admit the sliding doors on the opposite side of passport control and the baggage carousels had me a bit confused. They initially looked like elevators to me, which had me scratching my head.

Leaving MXP was a different story. First, Sixt didn't have a typical rental car drop off. They didn't tell me that you had to park the car in the garage and then walk into the Sixt office inside the terminal. I had never seen that before and it was quite confusing. But I guess that is an issue with Sixt and not necessarily MXP.

The gates inside the terminal (B) were way too crowded. Too many gates packed too close together. And then there were the advertising kiosks that cut into the little space that was available. They created a lot more chaos then I'm used to seeing at an airport (And I fly out of ATL!)

Despite that, I would rate the experience at MXP better than the experience you get flying international at ATL. I feel so sorry for visitors to the US that fly into ATL for the first time. What a nightmare that must be.

Despite that, I would rate the experience at MXP better than the experience you get flying international at ATL. I feel so sorry for visitors to the US that fly into ATL for the first time. What a nightmare that must be.


I fly intl via IAD. I do not complain about many other airports. MXP seems lovely to me. I cannot imagine someone non-USA citizen and first time traveler arriving at our beautiful airport and trying to make a transfer.

First, Sixt didn't have a typical rental car drop off. They didn't tell me that you had to park the car in the garage and then walk into the Sixt office inside the terminal. I had never seen that before and it was quite confusing. But I guess that is an issue with Sixt and not necessarily MXP.


actually pretty typical of int'l rental car counters

MXP has been pretty good for my transit needs. It is just the shuttle bus boarding and deplaning I try to minimize.

Well,
my "home" airport is MXp, and I would say that is very very easy and quick to move around.
It has been designed for very short walk. You will notice that from taxi drop off area to checkin, and then gate you will not walk more than 200 meters! And the same when you will arrive!
In my opinion is much better than many other big airports like CDG, AMS, LHR, JFK, MSP....

Maybe the problem is the long queue at the passportcontrol and the security. But I think, that MXP isn´t a worth airport.