Milan Airports - what's the difference?

It can makes a lot of difference. But without knowing where you are going it is hard to suggested anything. The two airports -- Miliano and Venice are hundreds of miles apart.

Sorry - Milan is showing 2 airports - Linate and Malpensa - does it matter which one we fly into? Thank you for your input!

Stella - Linate (LIN) is actually closer to Milan and is a smaller airport. It is usually served by domestic or short haul international flights.

Malpensa (MXP) is a ways out of town (North) and is the big international airport.

If you are on a direct flight from North America, it is more likely to land at Malpensa. If you are on a connecting flight from some where in Europe, you are more likely to land at Linate. for example if you go Canada to Frankfurt, you might then go Frankfurt to Linate.

Both airports have ways to get to the train station (Milano Centrale)as neither are close to it.

Thank you Ron. That explains it! :) Yes - we will most likely fly from Canada to somewhere else in Europe first as I've not seen any direct flights yet to Milan. Thanks again.

I was surfing and caught your question so I checked on Kayak because I was thinking Rome would be cheaper but Milan is ...or it is in Oct, $602 on www kayak com. Feb is over $1000. Definitely wait until it gets closer, try to fly on Wednesday. Nice thing about Kayak is they will give prices 3 days before and after. I just paid $486 RT KC to Madrid and am going in September, the price was available in May. If you know all this already...just putting in my 2 cents. Have fun, take waterproof shoes for Venice ;^) No matter which city airport there will be shuttles to city center.

Thank you Deborah - I have been checking Kayak as well and will wait until August / September to book the flight - unless a really good deal appears before then! :)

Stella-
I've flown in and out of both and prefer Linate. Much closer to the city- especially upon departure. We once had an early morning flight out of Malpensa (too early for the Malpensa express) and therefore could not stay in the city our last night. There was v. little else in the area other than the hotel where we stayed.
Flying out of Linate was fast, easy and a fairly reasonably priced cab ride. If you have a choice, I would definitely go Linate.
Have fun!

Thanks Susan - acutally we will be flying into Milan and out of Rome. Still checking flights - haven't found anything direct - will most likely fly into Amsterdam or Frankfurt first. So far best price, without alot of stops and such is about $1300. all total. All things considered - not bad really. Can't wait!