Hello. My husband and I are looking for advice on what to do during an overnight layover at Milan Malpensa airport. Our thought is to rest up at our airport hotel for several hours after our 8:30 AM arrival, perhaps from 10 AM until 1 PM. Then we have the rest of the day to explore, but might not want to go into central Milan, because later in our trip we will be coming back to spend several days in Milan. Do you know of any towns near the airport that are accessible either by train or taxi where we would enjoy getting a bite to eat and walking around?
Thank you!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7354 posts
Stresa on Lake Maggiore
Direct bus from MXP
I’d spend the night there
Bus info
Scroll down for English
https://www.safduemila.com/linee/alibus-malpensa-lago-maggiore/
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
I like Stresa too, but it's not exactly super close to the airport.
The Alibus can take you there in just one hour, but I think now runs only from April to October, so you can take it only if you travel during that time of the year. Also it has few runs (about 5 or 6 a day starting at 9am, then every 2-2.5 hours). You can also take a train with change at Busto Arsizio, although it take a bit longer.
If you had a couple of days at your disposal, I'd also say to go to Stresa, but if it's only an overnight, and possibly with an early flight to catch in the morning, I'd say to stay at an airport hotel and relax. There are numerous hotels near the airport, including the Sheraton across the terminal. I usually stayed at the Best Western Cavalieri della Corona, which has a nice pool and spa (I think the pool is covered in winter) and a nice restaurant.
There isn't much to see in the area, unless you are into aviation museums, in which case there is the Volandia museum and the Agusta Helicopter museum (Agusta was a major Italian helicopter manufacturer, which is now the helicopter division of Leonardo Inc., a large Italian based multinational defense company). Both museums are next to the airport.
Posted by
OP
30 posts
Thank you both so much ch for your replies. Our trip is at the beginning of December so a day trip to Stresi would probably have to be put off until we have a longer stay in Milan.
With just an overnight at an airport hotel, I will take a look at the two museums mentioned.
Thanks again!
Posted by
Bend, OR
1159 posts
I think I would still go into Milan for a few hours, just to walk around for a few hours (especially after an international flight), maybe people watch and have a nice meal. Sitting in an airport hotel really has no appeal to me but that’s just my opinion.
Posted by
OP
30 posts
Margie, that was my original thought, even though we will be back in Milan for four days at the end of our trip, but then I wondered if there might not be something interesting to do do near the airport.
I gather the train into the center city from the airport takes just about an hour, so I guess we will just gauge our jet lag/fatigue level coming off an overnight flight from NYC and decide whether to just rest up at the airport or take the train to the center.
Thanks everyone for your great suggestions.