transportation from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

Train (Best Overall Value/Comfort): Total cost for the train route is around 11€.
Route: Take the Malpensa Express Train to Saronno, once there take the regional train for "Como Lago" and get off at Stazione Lago, it's a 6 minute walk from the station to the Palace hotel. Total train ride is around 90 minutes. You can buy tickets at the automated red ticket machines or directly at the airport counter. Trenord is the main train company, download the Trainline app, you can buy tickets directly there by inputting your route.

On April 17, 2026, Milan is facing a "multi-layered" strike day. To navigate this effectively, you need to watch three specific time windows depending on how you're traveling:

1. Local Transit Strike (ATM & AddaBus)

If you were planning to use the metro, city buses, or trams within Milan to get to a different station:

• Time: 08:45 AM – 12:45 PM

• Impact: This 4-hour window will paralyze most city transport. If you land during this time, stick to the airport-specific shuttles or taxis rather than trying to use the metro.

2. Malpensa Airport Staff Strike (ENAV)

• Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

• Impact: This involves air traffic control and ground handling. While this doesn't stop the trains, it may delay your flight's arrival or your luggage retrieval, potentially pushing your ground travel into or out of the "guaranteed" train windows.

3. Trenord (Regional Trains) Guaranteed Windows

By Italian law, even during a strike, regional trains (including the Malpensa Express and the line to Como) must run during peak commuting hours

Strategy for your arrival:

• If you arrive before 9:00 AM: Move fast! You can likely catch the Malpensa Express to Saronno and then the Regionale to Como Lago within the guaranteed window.

• If you arrive between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM: This is the "danger zone" for trains. Your most reliable bet is the Flibco bus I mentioned earlier. Since it’s a private shuttle, it isn't bound by the same strike actions as the public ATM/Trenord workers.

• Ferry Warning: Since there is also a strike in the maritime/ferry sector that day (specifically affecting passenger ferries from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM), do not count on taking a boat once you arrive in Como.

Pro Tip: Download the Trenord App before you land. It provides real-time "Strike Updates" and will specifically flag which train numbers are guaranteed to run.

Bus (Direct/Budget):
FlixBus offers direct, cheap routes from Terminal 1/2 to Como, which takes around 60 minutes+.

Private Transfer/Taxi/ UBER (Fastest/Most Convenient): With increasing gas prices, expect Uber to go upwards to 125€-175€. Taxis are available outside the terminal. Travel time is around 45 minutes to an hour.

Car Rental:
Follow signs for the A8/E35 highway toward Lago di Como. Travel time is around 45 minutes to an hour.