Malpensa Express

History

First operated in 1999, the Malpensa Express originally ran between Malpensa Aeroporto and Milan Cadorna station only. It was operated initially by member companies of the Ferrovie Nord Milano group and then by Trenitalia LeNORD.

In late 2010, airport rail services to and from Malpensa were reorganised. Malpensa Express services to and from Milan Cadorna, operated by Trenord, continued to link the airport with the city. To coincide with the timetable change on 10 December 2010, however, new services to Milano Centrale were introduced.

In 2014 a contract was awarded for extension of the railway line from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2. The station was opened in December 2016. The new Malpensa Terminal 2 railway station is within 200 m north of the T2 arrivals hall, that is accessed by an outdoor covered walkway.

Train service

The Malpensa Express train run:

Malpensa Express train tickets are also valid on the shuttle bus service connecting Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which does not have direct pedestrian connection to Terminal 1 or the train station. An extension of the existing railway was constructed to reach Terminal 2.

Milano Cadorna–Malpensa

There stopping services (Milano Bovisa, Saronno and Busto Arsizio Nord) linking Milano Cadorna station to Malpensa Airport, named "MXP" and usually is 1' class only. The running times of the services ("Milan Cadorna" to "Malpensa Airport Terminal 2") is about 43 minutes.

From Milano Cadorna, the Malpensa Express runs along the Milan–Saronno railway to its first stop at Milano Bovisa-Politecnico, where there is interchange with trains to Erba and Asso and the suburban service to Camnago-Lentate.

The Malpensa Express then continues to Saronno (roughly halfway between Cadorna and Malpensa), which offers interchange with the lines for the cities of Varese-Laveno, or Como, or Seregno.

From Saronno, the Malpensa Express proceeds along the Saronno–Novara railway, to the junction at Sacconago, located just beyond Busto Arsizio, which is the final stop before Malpensa Airport. It then heads to the airport along a rail link branching off to the right from the line to Novara.

Milano Centrale–Malpensa

There are two kind of train services linking Milano Centrale to Malpensa Airport. One service ( "MXP" ) call at Milano Porta Garibaldi (a station more often used than Centrale by commuters around the city), Milano Bovisa, Saronno and Busto Arsizio Nord; the other service ( "R" ) call at Milano Porta Garibaldi, Milano Bovisa, Saronno, Rescaldina, Castellanza, Busto Arsizio Nord and Ferno-Lonate Pozzolo. The running times of both services ("Milan Central" to "Malpensa Airport Terminal 2") is about 57 minutes; they both have 2' class.

At Milano Centrale station, the Malpensa Express departs usually from tracks 1 or 2, and heads along the new railway section nicknamed the Umbrella Handle; the Malpensa Express then passes through Mirabello junction to join the line from Greco Pirelli to Milano Porta Garibaldi station (west of Milano Centrale station).

At Porta Garibaldi station, the Malpensa Express uses the new route (to the north of the old one), which crosses Farini yard. It reaches PM Ghisolfa and leaves the RFI network to enter tracks 1 and 2 at Milano Bovisa-Politecnico station. The rest of the Malpensa Express's route from Bovisa-Politenico station to Malpensa is the same as for its counterparts from Cadorna.

Tickets

The use of above trains for journeys starting or ending in Malpensa Airport Stations is allowed with a special price ticket, but is also possible a limited use with other kind of tickets usually valid for trains in Lombardia region. Even the other rail service to Malpensa (TiLo S30) have a similar ticket limitation scheme for journeys starting or ending in Malpensa.

Rolling stock

The original Malpensa Express trains are Treno ad alta frequentazione (English: High frequency trains) (TAF trains). Their livery is a combination of the colours burgundy, dark green and cream and sometimes sponsored coaches.

Since February 2010, a new class of trains, the Convoglio Servizio Aeroportuale (English: Airport Service Convoy) (CSA trains), has been gradually introduced. The new CSA trains are designed specifically for the Malpensa Express services.

Both classes of train are "push-pull" articulated electric multiple units, with a powered section at each end, and unpowered sections in between. The TAF trains have two unpowered sections; the CSA trains have three.