Milan
Milan (Italian: Milano) is financially the most important city in Italy and the region of Lombardy (Italian: Lombardia). It is one of the fashion capitals of the world: a paradise for shopping, opera, and nightlife.
If Rome represents the "old" Italy, Milan represents the "new" Italy. Milan is the most modern of all Italian cities, and it still keeps most of its past history intact.
Milan has two main international air gateways, Linate airport and Malpensa airport. Sometimes referred to as Milan's additional airports, Bergamo's Orio al Serio airport (45 km East) and Parma airport (100 km South) mostly host budget airlines.
The main international airport is Malpensa (Milan Malpensa, IATA: MXP). It's a large, modern, two-runway airport, well connected to the center of the city by public transportation. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 being the largest (international and intercontinental flights). Terminal 2 is used by a number of budget airlines, such as Easyjet, and has grown consistently in the last few years (2004-2008). The two terminals are connected by a shuttle bus service (running every 10 minutes).
Some European or national flights arrive at Linate Airport (IATA: LIN). This small but rather efficient, one-runway airport is very close to the city centre (7 km). It is mostly serviced by airlines to domestic destinations and some European destinations.
To catch the right 73 bus to Milan look for direction "SAN BABILA M1" and avoid Line 73 buses directed to "S.FELICINO".
Some budget airlines fly into Orio al Serio Airport (IATA: BGY), [6]. About 45km north-east of Milan near the city of Bergamo. Ryanair refers to this as Milan Bergamo Airport. Public transport into Milan is slightly less convenient than Malpensa or Linate:
The station building is in itself worth a visit being a masterpiece of rationalist architecture.
Note that the station area is not in a great part of town at night, though in the area there are a number of decent budget hotels (see "Sleep" below) and some business-oriented international brand hotels. In general the area south of the station (characterized by a few skyscrapers) is a business and local government center, pretty active during working hours but almost deserted at night. Should you need a few supplies for your trip, there is a small supermarket in the western side of the station at ground level, as well as cafes and other small shops. Internet points in the main square overlooking the station. In 2008 the station is completing extensive renovation. At night, parts of the Central Station become a sleeping area for vagrants. Usually around the station there are some foreign gipsy children aggressively targeting tourist for pickpocketing, so pay attention to your bag.
The Central Station is served by MM2 and MM3 metro lines and is a masterpiece of Rationalist architecture worth a visit. Taxis stops directly in front of the station (on the sides during the renovation period), and ATM buses on the West side (IV November Square) and buses to Linate, Malpensa and Orio airports on the East side (Luigi di Savoia square).
Note that Ferrovie Nord (FNM) and Trenitalia (FS) are two different railway networks, with different stations, different trains and different tickets.
