from airport to hotel near duomo - how to go? if taxi, how much is fare?

I think the most afforable--and actually, quite comfortable--means of getting from Malpensa to the city center is the shuttle bus, which departs roughly every 20 minutes and runs to Stazzione Centrale, with easy connections via Metro throughout the city...and just about 6 minutes via train to the Duomo stop. The bus ran about 6 Euros 18 months ago. The bus departs from the front of the airport, outside Exit 5. There is an office near the exit for purchasing tickets.

Are the wheels on your bag made out of lead?

Elinda,

If you take the Malpensa Express (train) from the airport, it terminates at Cadorna Station and not Milano Centrale.

As your Hotel is close to the Duomo, you could take the train to Cadorna station (which is not far from Via Dante and the Duomo) and then take a Taxi to your Hotel. You could probably walk to the Duomo from Cadorna, but not with 30 lbs. of luggage!

An alternative would be to take one of the Milan Airport Shuttles to Milano Centrale and then Metro to the Missori station (M3 line, direction San Donato).

I can't recall if the Taxi's are on one side of Milano Centrale (right side with your back to the tracks) or at the front (my memory is a bit foggy on that point).

Happy travels!

The bus is easier because there are no stairs. Take a taxi from the official taxi rank, if you don't feel like walking, though it doesn't sound like walking would be a problem (unlike Florence or Venice :-). The taxi should be less than 10 euros.