Malpensa Express may be the best way to go between Milan and her major international gateway!
Although it's named as an "express" train, Malpensa Express actually stops at few suburban stop before reaching its terminus stop in central Milan. However, you can count on this train on reaching its destination within an hour, while other ground transports like cars and taxi can get snared by the notorious Milanese traffic!
The train itself is pretty comfortable as well. Although it's classified as a regional train, ME is run by the Lombard company Trenord and they keep the trains well-maintained and clean. In fact, you can expect the same seat comfort as a high-speed Frecciagento train!
From both Terminals 1 and 2, ME actually has two different routes: one goes to the regional station Cadorna (XP1) and another to Milano Centrale (XP2). If you are heading to or from central Milan (i.e. the Duomo), your choice should be the 37-minute ride to Cadorna, where you can easily connect on the comfortable metro to reach the Duomo within minutes. If you are heading elsewhere on a high-speed train, you need to hop on the 57-minute ride to Centrale, which also stops at Porta Garibaldi. Each route runs on a different schedule at 30-minute interval so don't hop on the wrong train!*
Overall, Malpensa Express is an incredibly reliable and fast airport transport solution that is also significantly cheaper than taxi that can cost about €100. This train would be better if it runs more frequently (every 15 or 20 minutes instead of the current 30) and actually lives up its "express" title with fewer stops. Nonetheless, this current Malpensa Express is still an effective airport link that should be your top choice to go to and from MXP!
*If you do get on the wrong train, don't worry! You can either change to a different ME train at Milano Bovisa, the common point between the lines, or transfer to Milan Metro at the terminus.
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ONLINE BOOKING (As of Feb 2017)
If you need only an one-way ticket, online booking offers no advantage aside from being able to hop directly on the train while imposing a time limit on yourself. For the least hassle, purchase the ticket at any of its stations for €13.
If you want a return ticket though, the on-site return ticket of €20 is valid only for same-day return. Online ticket on Trenord however offers a 30-day return. You must choose a specific time but fortunately you can hop on any train that is in the 3-hour window from your choice (i.e. if you choose 7 AM, you can hop on any train before 10 AM). If you choose a central Milan station (Centrale, Porta Garibaldi, Cadorna), you can hop on either XP1 and XP2 on either leg - For example, you can ride from MXP to Centrale on XP1 and return to MXP from Cadorna on XP2.
You must validate any on-site ticket at a machine before boarding, but if you book online, you can just show the paper pass to the conductor.
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tl;dr version:
1) Best way to go between Milan and MXP, 30 min frequency
2) Two routes: One to Cadorna, one to Centrale
3) Save on 30-day return by booking online read more