Linate Airport At 7km east of the city centre, Linate is the most convenient and easy airport to reach. It mainly services domestic flights, but both easyJet and British Midland fly there (Tel: 7485 2200). Taxi is by far the easiest way to the city centre. It costs €15–€20 and takes around 20 minutes.

Car rental from the airport or the central station is possible but while driving in any Italian city is difficult, in Milan it becomes a nightmare. Even with GPS Car Navigation the problems include hefty fines incurred by driving into the ZTL areas (limited traffic zone) which is controlled by cameras which record registration numbers. A rental car agreement usually includes a clause stating that the client is responsible and is to be billed for all fines incurred. Usually it stops there. In any event, when driving to a hotel in the centre, the hotel, upon arrival, should be given the car registration number and they in turn will communicate the number by computer to clear the car.

Other problems are very confusing signs, the canals and flyovers that take you well out of your way, the intense traffic, be it in town or on the motorways, and frequent jams.

Parking on the street is done in spaces marked with blue lines only. The driver must buy time not from machines but by purchasing hourly parking vouchers for the specific zone in which they find yourself. These are scratched with a coin to show the date and hour. This considered, it might be worthwhile to park in a parking garage found on most maps or on the website www.ciaomilano.it Bus There are frequent bus services to the Stazione Centrale (Central Station) and to San Babila (city centre near fashion district and Cathedral). The journey takes 30 minutes and costs €1. If you are travelling with big suitcases you will need an extra ticket to be franked on board, but not even the locals bother.

Milan Malpensa airport

Located 45 minutes northwest of the city on the highway to Varese (A8), this is Milan’s main international airport, used by most of the major airlines. For info Tel: 02 7485 2200.

Taxis are expensive. The journey will take up to an hour and can be as much as €100. Hired car with driver and shuttle (Navetta) service More economical than a taxi (prices start from €35). For reservations tel. 0295364271 or go to www.malpensanavetta.it.

Train This is the most efficient option (50 min). The Malpensa Express (www. ferrovienord.it or www.malpensaexpress. it) runs from the airport to Ferrovie Nord Railway at Piazzale Cadorna every 30 minutes from 5.57am to 8.27pm. For early morning or night departures, the train is replaced by a shuttle bus service. A one way ticket costs €11; €13.50 if bought on board. All tickets must be franked before boarding the train.

Bus There is also a shuttle service provided by different coach companies from Malpensa airport to Stazione Centrale.

Info at 02 5858 3185 (taped information) or 0331 519 000. Departures are approximately every 20 minutes from 5am to 11.15pm. Although the bus is cheaper than train (€5 one way), the downside is that the 50 min to 1 hour journey time can stretch depending on traffic.

Orio al Serio airport

A new airport used by Ryan Air and other low-cost flight companies, Orio al Serio is at 1 hour drive northeast of Milan (near Bergamo). Frequent bus shuttle services (from 4.45 am to 9.15 pm) depart from Orio to Stazione Centrale and cost €6.70 one way, either with Autostradale (Tel: 035 318 472) or Airpullman (02 3391 0794). Tickets are also sold on board. There is no train shuttle available and the highway to Bergamo is often jammed.