getting from Bologna to Malpensa early a.m.

I think you will want to stay in Milan when you see the price of a taxi. I checked Milan-airport-transfers.com and airport-transfers-direct.com. They both give instant quotes, 449 euros and 420 euros respectively. It is a 3 hour trip but you need to allow extra time in case of traffic. Milan is nice. Give it a chance! And be sure to go up on the roof of the Duomo.

If your flight from Malpensa is to the US, you need to be there 3 hours early. Even if you could afford a taxi from Bologna, do you really want to get up at 3 AM to leave at 4 AM to get to MXP at 7 AM? If your flight is within the Schengen zone, you can get to MXP later (I'm not sure of how early before your flight you have to be there - check your airline). There are train options from Bologna to Malpensa, but you would have to allow even more time for the connections. Spend your last night in Milan. I like it and think it's underrated, although many do not like it. But, you really will not like missing your flight, or worrying about this, or getting up in the middle of the night to make sure you don't miss it. If you research Milan and don't see anything of interest, you can certainly take a late train there the day before your flight, minimizing your Milan time.

Thanks-
I have been to Milan; I really don't like it, even with the Duomo. But you are right; I should probably spend my last night in Milan.

Check the price of a transfer from Stresa. That might be affordable and possible at an early hour.

My tip: leave late from Bologna, sleep close to Malpensa airport (there are reasonably priced hotels in Bursto Arsizio, a relatively nice small suburb of Milano which is just 6 min by train from Malpensa airport if you don't fancy "by the runway" hotels), and arrive early. If your flight is from Malpensa straight to US, there is a dedicated area for check-in with extra-security (flights departing to US and Israel use it).

I agree that the taxi would need raising the debt ceiling further. It is the same distance as driving from Times Square to Dover, Delaware.

Thanks all. I think I'll sleep nearer to the airport, leaving Bologna for Milan and walking around Milan before going to Bursto Arsizio.

If you just need to stay near the airport for the morning flight, I recommend the Hotel First at Malpensa. There's nothing nearby but the hotel is pleasant and has a nice patio for relaxing at night. It has a shuttle to the airport in the morning.

My husband and I stayed at First Hotel at Malpensa so we weren't rushed to get to the airport on time or have to leave so early to get there. We found this hotel to be pleasant and enjoyed the ease of taking their shuttle in the monring.

There are lots of hotels near Malpensa. We stayed in the Hotel Cardano, in the town of Cardano, about a 15 minute ride from the airport. The hotel will pick you up and deliver you back to the airport. Bologna is quite a drive from Milan, I seem to remember it being about 3 to 4 hours, but we did make a long stop on the way. There is also a big Sheraton Hotel right in the airport.