Is there a train station at or near Linate that will enable me to take a train to Florence?
According to the Linate site, there is no train service. However, Starfly buses run every 30 minutes from the airport to the Milano Centrale train station.
I've flown into Linate and can confirm there's no train station at the airport. As suggested, take the bus to Milano Centrale station and catch the high-speed train to Florence.
Thank you for your replies. We will actually be in Milan for two days not far from the central station. So we'll hop on that train and probably stop over at Bologna for two days and then to Florence. Many thanks.
Depending on where you're staying in Milan, the local bus might be a better choice than the express bus to the train station. Ask your hotel if the local bus from the airport stops nearby. Cost is only 1 euro. I used the local bus when I flew into Linate. It dropped me off near the back of the Duomo and I walked to my hotel from there.
The local bus now is much slower. There is now an express bus to San Babila (connection to subway station). Tickets in Milano were raised. Single-trip now costs € 1,50 due to the budget crises and reduction in subsidies for transportation.