Milan to MXP
 

I'll be needing to get from central Milan to MXP on a weekday, but will have plenty of time to do so--my last appointment is in the morning and my flight doesn't depart until the evening. Since I won't be under any time pressure, what's a relatively cheap but nonetheless sensible (e.g. as much as it would fill my free time, I don't particularly fancy a full-day hike to the airport) way to get to MXP?

You can review options at http://www.milanomalpensa-airport.co...ng/to-and-from . Your "central" location would more likely be closer to the Cadorna train station than Centrale, in spite of the name, in which case I'd say train from Cadorna.

Not sure why you would want to spend more than say an hour getting to MXP as there is more fun to be had in Milan than on the way to MXP. Given the flexibility of your schedule I would take a train either from Cadorna or Stazione Centrale depending on where you'll be in Milan.

Have a nice lunch, get some gelato and coffee, see a museum or do some shopping and then take the train.

For the visitor who has only a couple of hours and is open to visiting something a little off-beat, I can't say enough good things about the Boschi di Stefano Museum-Home. It's full of great art, furniture, and furnishings/decor spanning a variety of styles & decades from the 20th century; convenient (easy walk from Porta Venezia or Centrale); and free.

[Yes, I've mentioned this before in other Milan threads. It made a real impression when we visited in 2014 on the Wideroe mistake fare.]

the train?
 

I took the train today. It is NOT the better way.
For starters, it is not cheap. I paid 13 Euro one way. The only discount Trentalia offers is a return ticket for 20 Euro - must be used within 30 days. IMO the bus is cheaper.
Second, the train makes many stops. I made a note of all of them:
- Plaza Garibaldi,
- Visa Technico:
- Saronna:
- Rescaldina:
- Busto Arsizio.
- Castelanza:
- Ferno Lenate P.
That is 7 stops! No wonder it takes over an hour. The bus, as I recall, takes slightly less time.
The real giveaway is the traffic between and amongst these stops. My guess is flyers pay the full rate and everyone else gets a discount.
Normally, I like high speed dedicated rail links. Sadly, MXP seems to be badly served in this regard.

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You got a local train; others make fewer stops. The bus is cheaper but as you note timing is more variable (traffic and the occasional other issue---once my bus broke down on the side of the highway and we had to wait for the next bus).