How long is the line for a taxi at LIN?

Posted by snrps1 on 03/16/25 05:57 AM

I'm landing in LIN at around 3pm on a weekend in April. How long should I expect to wait in line for a taxi at the taxi booth?

Context: Party of 3 (including a young child). We'll be arriving after a VERY long travel day. Trying to gauge how irresonsible it would be to pay 180€ for our hotel's private transfer service. From what I understand, a taxi would be around 35€ (is that correct)?

Normally, I stick to public transit and would choose bus or train. But given how exhausted we will be and since we will have a child, the goal is to get to the hotel ASAP.

If we would be waiting in line for 45-60 minutes at the taxi booth, then I might consider shelling out the money to get into a posh car right away without having to wait. But if the taxi queue takes only a few minutes, then 180€ seems incredulous for a 15 min car ride (hotel is near Milano centrale).

Thanks in advance for the input!

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

03/16/25 06:07 AM

16452 posts

180€? Are you kidding? Your hotel must be very far from the city or they are just highway robbers. There is no way a taxi to the city center would cost more than 50€ even with above average traffic.

There is generally very little waiting time at the taxi stand at LIN. There are always plenty of taxicabs to cater to the businessmen traveling to the city center. LIN is the preferred Milan airport by business travelers.

Posted by davebarnes

Denver, CO USA

03/16/25 06:25 AM

581 posts

We were quoted €60 by the taxi starter. I used Uber for €35.

Posted by snrps1 OP

03/17/25 12:36 AM

2 posts

Thank you! The hotel is in the city center. I thought the price sounded ridiculous. I've seen hotels charge 2x, or 2.5x the usual taxi fare for a private transfer, but this amount seemed crazy. Glad to know the taxi line is usually not too long. I will plan on doing that instead. Many thanks.

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

03/17/25 11:19 PM

16452 posts

Don't ask for the price ahead of time. Don't give the taxi driver a chance to overcharge you The fare LIN to city center is based on the taxi meter, so it may vary depending on traffic and where exactly you are going. Just look at the price displayed on the meter, which should be on and running while you go.

The rates set by the City of Milan as follows:
Initial flag down fee:
€4.10 euro (or €6.60 on Sundays/holidays, €7.90 at night 9pm-6am)

Base level Rate per km:
€1.32/km
Base level Rate per hour:
€34.38/hr

After the meter reaches €17.35 the next rate level kicks in:
€1.98/km
€51.72/hr

The distance from LIN to the city center is about 8 to 12 km, depending on location.
The time of travel with little or no traffic shouldn't be more than 25-30 minutes.

In most cases the total fare shouldn't be more than 30-35€. There might be an extra charge for luggage (maybe 1€ a piece).