How to get to Milan from London

Travel from London to Milan

Travel from London to Milan is possible by plane train and bus. There are several airlines providing service on this route with a minimum of about 28 daily flights from various London airports which are either direct or with connections. Direct flights from London take about 1h 50minwhile those with connections vary considerably. Train departures from Central London occur at least three times daily via France to Milan which will last nearly 11h with connections since there is no direct train service available. Buses depart Central London twice daily to Milan via Paris and Geneva, requiring almost 18h of total travel time.

About Milan

The northern Italian city Milan is a cosmopolitan metropolis with established industries in finance, sports/entertainment, art/design and is internationally recognised as one of the four fashion capitals of the world. As a founding member of the EU, the national currency is the Euro. Milan enjoys a warm temperate climate with mild to cold winters and humid, hot summers, with variances due to proximity to the Alpine regions. As a fashion capital, Milan enjoys a vibrant and varied nightlife scene with restaurants open from about 7:00 p.m. so you can get an early meal after your trip from London to Milan. After which you can explore the bars and clubs which stay open until at least about 03:00 a.m.

Public transport in Milan

Milan is a major population centre with an excellent public transport system anchored by its three international airports. Azienda Transporti Milanesi (ATM) oversees the entire municipal transit system which comprises trolley bus and over 100 city bus routes, an 18-line tram system and a four-line underground metro. LeNord and Trenord are the operators of suburban, regional and commuter rail service throughout the city, plus there is an intercity railway network as well as international railway services. In addition, you can also find bike and car share facilities around the city of Milan if you prefer to travel under your own steam.

London Blues. Source: Shutterstock

Important bus, train, airports in Milan

Arrival train station, airports: Milan Centrale Railway Station is the main train terminus and located within the city centre so there is no need for further journeys by car or public transport to get there after your train trip from London to Milan. Facilities at Milan Centrale Railway Station include ticket office, ticket vending machines, executive and club class lounges, shops and restaurants, WC, waiting rooms, ATM, luggage storage, Information Point, vehicle parking and transfer links to bus and metro. Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is the largest and busiest of the three international airports serving the city of Milan. It is located about 30 miles (50 km) or approx. 51min by car to the city centre.

You can also get public transport from Milan Malpensa to Milano Centrale Station which takes about an hour via train and approx. 50minby bus. Airport facilities include hotels, lounges, WC with baby-changing facilities, shops and restaurants, luggage storage, ATMs, banking offices, foreign exchange counters, Information Point, vehicle parking and car hire centre and free Wi-Fi. Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY) is Milan’s second most important international airport with a location approx. 28 miles (45 km) from the city centre. For public transport options you have bus and metro links from the airport to Central Milan which can take between 1h – 1h 35min depending on the route used.

Facilities at Milan Bergamo Airport include hotels, lounges, WC with baby changing facilities, shops and restaurants, Information Point, luggage storage, ATMs, foreign exchange counters, vehicle parking, car hire centre and free Wi-Fi. Milan Linate Airport (LIN) is the closest of the city’s three international airports to Central Milan at 5.5 miles (9 km). By car it takes about 15min but there are public bus (about 30min), tram (about 50min) and train (about 48 min) links that are much cheaper options to the city centre if you’re flying from London to Milan. Airport facilities at Milan Linate include lounges, WC with baby changing facilities, shops and restaurants, luggage storage, ATMs, banking offices, foreign exchange counters, Information Point, vehicle parking, car hire centre and free Wi-Fi.

Which companies travel to Milan?

Among the airlines providing flights from London to Milan KLM, Air France and Alitalia offers the most frequent service, but there are also low-budget carriers providing flights along this route. All airlines use at least four London metro airports with departures to Milan. Flying is the fastest mode of travel with direct trips lasting about 1h 50minwhile bus trips are the slowest. Traveleuro Tours & Travels offers twice-daily departures with connections in France and Switzerland for an overall duration of about 18h. Eurostar provides high-speed train service with three daily departures from Central London with connections via France and these require approx. 11h travel time.

KLM flights to Milan

KLM offers the most frequent flight service on this route with an average of about 14 daily and about 112 weekly departures from London Heathrow and London City airports to Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate airports . KLM flights are rarely if ever direct with the vast majority requiring connections at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) which can vary from 3h – 15h in duration with plane transfers. The frequency of KLM service tends to be heaviest from Sunday - Wednesday and Friday with an average of about 18 daily flights and lowest on Saturdays with an average of about 12 flights.

Alitalia flights to Milan

Alitalia is the second most frequent provider of flights from London to Milan with an average of about six departures per day and as many as 56 per week. London Heathrow and London Linate and are the only airports used by Alitaliaon this route where you can get at least one direct flight daily while the others make stopovers at Rome Fiumicino Airport enroute to Milan. Direct flights last about 2h but those making connections require between 5h – 20h including plane transfers. Alitalia daily service tends to be more frequent Tuesday – Wednesday (avg 10 flights) and less frequent Saturday – Sunday (avg six flights).

London Bigben. Source: Shutterstock

Air France flights to Milan

Air France is another provider of frequent daily service to Milan from London with a minimum of three and a maximum of about 13 trips between the two cities. These flights depart from London Heathrow enroute to either Milan Malpensa or Milan Linate airports and make connections at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport since there are few if any direct flights available. Air Franceoffers a minimum of about 53 weekly departures with the fewest flights on Sunday, Wednesday (about three) and the most on Monday (about 13).

How to find cheap tickets to Milan

Regardless of your preferred mode of travel, making reservations in advance is the best way of obtaining the cheapest tickets from London to Milan. Be willing to have some flexibility with your travel dates so you can take advantage of early morning and late night bus, train or flight trips which may be less expensive than direct service on some routes. Do a bit of research to discover whether operators offer promotions or special fares which will help you to save money on ticket prices. When travelling with company you may be able to take advantage of discounted tickets for children, seniors, persons with disabilities and students. Also, operators often offer reduced fares on group travel which is an ideal way for families to travel for less.

Travel to Milan – travel tips

While preparing for your journey from London to Milan here are a few tips to bear in mind which can enhance your adventures in the city. For example, most businesses are closed between 2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and gratuities for restaurant or bar service is not customary or required so it’s ok to leave exact change. Also, Italians never drink cappuccinos or dairy products after lunch as a dietary prohibition and you brush up on the various kinds of coffee so you know what exactly to order once you arrive.

You should also invest some cash in a good universal travel adaptor for charging your electronic devices before travelling to Milan. If you enjoy touring structures and buildings, you’ll find much to explore around this city. For some divergent perspectives on design, history and architecture we recommend the 15th century Castellano Sforzesco, former bastion of the mighty Sforza dynasty and the ultra-modern Museum of Cultures or MUDEC with collections dating back to 1200 BC. The Duomo di Milano is Milan’s most iconic landmark and its awesome spires, exterior statues and beautiful stained glass artwork are truly sights to behold.