Advice on time to get to airport in Milan

I think Ellen misread your posting. If you hotel is only a half a mile away you could almost walk it so I think the 5AM hotel shuttle would be fine.

Thanks Frank. Yes, Ellen misread my post. My hotel is between the 2 terminals at the airport. So, I won't be dealing with any train stations. I think the 1.5 hours ahead will do us. If the flight were later in the day, and the airport would be bustling with people, I would be a little leary. But since it is at 6:50AM, I am thinking we will be O.K.

Also, we only have one suitcae and 1 backpack, and are not the type to buy a bunch of pricy items to go through customs. So, I am leaning toward thinking it will work just fine. If anyone else has any advice. Please post.

Martha

You will not have customs. Might have an enhanced security check. But you might not have that either since it is a domestic flight to Frankfurt. However, Frankfurt security can be a whole another issue. Wear clean underwear, they may take a look !!

I think you should check with your airlines and find out what time they require check-in. Many airlines require a window of 2 to 3 hours if you are continuing on to an international flight.

All airlines have a cut off for check-in. It can vary by airport and airline. 45 minutes prior to departure is not uncommon. No airline requires you to be there two or three hours early but may recommend a three hour window because of congestion or potential congestion at check-in.

Martha, One other thing ... see if you can check in on-line the night before. I think a 5am shuttle should be fine. It has been a couple of years since I flew out of Milan Malpensa, but I don't recall any significant problems.

Don't know which airline you are flying, but according to the US Airways website, passengers on international flights are required to check in at least 60 minutes before flight time.