General
Overview
Milano Cadorna is the city-centre terminus for the Malpensa Express and regional trains toward Lake Como, steps from the Sforza Castle.
Use either Trenitalia or Italo (compare both) for high-speed trips to Rome, Florence, or Venice. Use Trenord for the Malpensa Express and local trains to Lake Como. For regional travel across all of Italy, use Trenitalia.
Transfer Options
Luggage Storage
There are no luggage lockers or staffed storage facilities inside Cadorna station. See the app recommendations below for nearby third-party options.
Note: Italian law requires a valid government ID or passport to store luggage at any staffed station facility. If you’d rather skip the queue or store bags closer to the city center, these apps connect you to nearby shops and hotels instead.
Visitor Cards and Passes
YesMilano City Pass
Milan’s official city pass, backed by the city’s tourism office. Includes ATM public transport plus entry to top attractions. Fully digital — activate on first use; no kiosk pickup needed. Tiers: Flash €39.90 (24h) · Standard €60 (3 days) · All Inclusive €90 (3 days).
YesMilano City PassTourist Museum Card
Entry to all 6 Civic Museums (Sforza Castle, Novecento, GAM, Aquarium, Archaeological, Natural History Museum) for €20 over 3 consecutive days. No transport included.
Tourist Museum CardATM Pass
Standard option for the metro, trams, and buses within Zone Mi1-Mi3:
- 24-Hour Ticket: €7.60
- 3-Day (72-Hour) Ticket: €15.50
MilanoCard (milanocard.it) and Milan City Pass (milancitypass.com) are privately operated with documented complaints about non-delivery and misleading inclusions. For transport only, buy ATM tickets directly. For a full city pass, use the official YesMilano City Pass.
Purchase these at the ATM Point or ticket machines in Cadorna station.
Use Citymapper for the most intuitive step-by-step navigation and “best carriage” guidance.
Use official ATM Milano app specifically for purchasing multi-day digital passes or checking the real-time status of station elevators and escalators.
Public Transit
Train and Metro
From Milano Cadorna (MCA), you are steps away from the Sforza Castle. The station is a hub for the M1 (Red) and M2 (Green) Metro lines and serves as the city-center terminus for the Malpensa Express.
The station has separate ticket areas for Trenord (regional/Malpensa Express) and ATM (Metro). Ensure you are at the correct machine. Contactless payment works for both the Metro and the Malpensa Express gates.
Bus
Shuttle buses (e.g., Terravision, Autostradale, Malpensa Shuttle) run between the airports and Milano Centrale. Tickets cost approximately €10.
Accessibility & Safety
Accessibility
Milano Cadorna is a terminal station with all train platforms on the ground level, making it highly accessible. Lifts connect the platforms to the Metro lines below.
RFI Sala Blu – Accessibility AssistanceSafety
Milan is generally safe, but Milano Centrale and other major stations are known hotspots for pickpockets and distraction scams.
At train ticket machines, people may offer to help you navigate the screen or carry your bags up the stairs. Their goal is either a “tip” or a distraction to steal your wallet. Politely say “No, grazie” and keep a firm hand on your belongings. Station staff wear official uniforms and will never ask for money.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
For items left on a Trenitalia train, use the FindMyLost online service. For items lost on Trenord regional trains, report via the Trenord website; unclaimed property is transferred to the Comune di Milano (Via Friuli 30) after 6 days.
Trenitalia – Lost Property ServiceArrival
Official Taxi
The official taxi rank is located in the center of Piazzale Luigi Cadorna, just outside the station doors.
As you exit baggage claim or the train platform, individuals may approach you whispering “Taxi?” or “Transport?”. These are unlicensed drivers. Always ignore them and walk to the official outdoor taxi rank where a dispatcher or a line of white cars is waiting.
Rideshare
Uber exists in Milan but only as Uber Black or Van, meaning it is significantly more expensive than in North America. Freenow is the most reliable app as it calls official city taxis.
The best pickup location is in Piazzale Luigi Cadorna, directly in front of the station's main facade.
Use Freenow for speed in heavy traffic (official taxis using bus lanes), Uber for consistent premium reliability at airports and major hubs, and Bolt for the most budget-friendly fares.
ATMs and Currency
Look for bank-branded ATMs in the main station hall before you exit to the piazza.
When the ATM asks “Would you like to be charged in USD/CAD or EUR?”, always choose EUR (Local Currency) or “Decline Conversion”. Selecting your home currency allows the ATM to set its own poor exchange rate, costing you 5–10% more.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
Arrive 20 minutes before departure. This compact, terminal-style station has all platforms starting from a single concourse — no stairs or lifts needed once inside. The Malpensa Express typically departs from platforms 1, 2, or 3.
If using a paper ticket, validate it in the yellow or green machines on the platform before boarding. Failure to do so can result in a heavy fine, even for tourists.
Source: Malpensa Express from CadornaSecurity Controls
Security & Screening
There are no formal security gates at Milano Cadorna (MCA). Malpensa Express staff may check tickets at the platform before boarding.
VAT Refunds
VAT refunds are not available at train stations. If you are departing the EU by train and need a customs stamp, you must process your tax-free forms at an airport customs desk before leaving Italy.