Milan Malpensa Airport Guide

MXP Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Milan Malpensa Airport.

What to Expect

Milan Malpensa Airport (code: MXP) consists of two terminals: Terminal 1, a larger, modern facility with three concourses (A for Schengen regional flights, B for non-Schengen, C for Schengen long-haul), and Terminal 2, a smaller, older terminal used exclusively by easyJet. The airport’s facilities include a small variety of shops and restaurants that close fairly early. One cafe is open 24 hours in Terminal 1. Free WiFi is available to help pass the time. Economy class passengers can pay to enter one of the airport’s first-class lounges.

Sleeping in Malpensa Airport

Most of the seating here has armrests. However, the larger Terminal 1 has a decent amount of metal benches. Keep your eyes peeled for one; otherwise, you’ll likely need to rest on the floor. Many travellers camp overnight in Terminal 2, as it is home to many low-cost carriers, but there are fewer quiet corners. Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

• In Terminal 1, the Gran Cafe on Level P1 closes for the night, leaving some comfortable seats in a quieter area.
• In Terminal 1, look for the hallway near the escalator by the food court on Floor 3 – it is relatively quiet and comfortable for floor sleepers if you have a sleeping bag or travel mat handy.
• In Terminal 1’s Arrivals area, by Exit 4, there may be a bench behind a pillar near the Puro Gusto cafeteria. It offers some privacy for resting.
• Gates A50-54, in T1, reportedly has some comfortable seats with armrests, but you could try to move them around into a makeshift bed.

For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips.  For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Malpensa Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours landside and airside across T1 and T2, with security checkpoints open continuously to support flight schedules.

What this means for airport sleepers:
If you’re planning to stay overnight, expect to remain landside unless you’re already in transit airside with a valid boarding pass. Security access and terminal activity can be limited late at night, and some areas may feel quiet or partially closed. Seating is available, but it isn’t designed for sleeping, so come prepared and be ready to move if staff restrict access to certain areas.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet rooms, or rest zones at Malpensa Airport. Some information areas and public spaces have a small number of cushioned chairs, but these are not designed for extended rest. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

Cots are not offered to stranded travellers at Malpensa Airport. If this is not correct, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels, Day Rooms & Sleep Pods

If sleeping in Milan Malpensa Airport sounds like a nightmare, there are sleep pods inside the airport and hotels nearby:

Hotels inside Malpensa Airport:

• Zzzleepandgo Sleep Pods – Four soundproof sleep pods are located in the terminal’s public area. Pods have a bed, Wi-Fi, a flight status screen and electrical outlets. Location: Terminal 1, Landside, Level 2, Departures Area. Directions: look for check-in desk number 3 and follow the direction of “Sala Respighi.” The lounge is in front of the capsules. Rates: €9/$9.60 USD/hour. A reader says, “Sleeping pods at Milan airport must be booked for a full day at a minimum spend of €70 and reserved at least six weeks in advance”. » Check Rates
• Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel – Located in Terminal 1. Day room rates and five-hour rates may be available. » Check Rates

More nearby hotels:

• MOXY Milan Malpensa Airport – Walking distance to Terminal 2. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
• First Hotel Malpensa – 24-hour airport shuttle for a fee.   » Check Rates
• Holiday Inn Express Malpensa Airport – Located between Terminals 1 and 2. Airport shuttle to both terminals is available for a fee (€15 Euro per person). » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Milan Malpensa Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

Drinking Water

Free drinking water fountains can be found in Terminal 1 (10 locations) and Terminal 2 (3 locations).

Terminal 1 – Airside, Boarding A, near Customs Office A • Airside, Boarding A • Airside, near gates B50–59 • Airside, near gates B71–83 • Arrivals, near the restrooms • Arrivals, Baggage reclaim, carousels B6/B7, near the restrooms • Arrivals, Baggage reclaim, carousel A5 – near the restrooms

Terminal 2 – Airside, near the restrooms. • Airside, Gate D09 – near the restrooms • Arrivals, before baggage reclaims

Food & Drinks

At the time of this update, Pret A Manger (T1, Landside, Ground Floor) is reported to operate 24 hours Monday through Saturday, making it one of the most reliable late-night food options. Other food outlets across both terminals operate on limited schedules, with many opening around 4:00–5:00 AM and closing by 9:00–10:00 PM.

Dining options at Malpensa include cafés, sandwich bars, and casual Italian restaurants such as Aroma Café • Briciole Bar • Gran Café • La S Romagnola • McDonald’s • Panella • Panino Giusto • Pizza Chef • Rossopomodoro. Availability varies by terminal and time of day.

Vending machines are also available throughout the airport for snacks and drinks when restaurants are closed.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage storage is available in Terminal 1, Arrivals B, Ground Floor.
Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Rates: approximately €4.50–€5.00 per item per day, depending on size.

Mobile Charging

Free mobile charging stations (power outlets and USB ports) are available in some airside areas. A traveller review indicates outlets and USB ports in Terminal 1, Airside, between exits 7 and 8, near JuiceBar/Moka Café. Landside charging options are limited, so bringing a universal power adapter is recommended.

Showers

Shower facilities are available through select pay-to-use airport lounges. These include Sala Monteverdi and Club S.E.A. Sala Montale, subject to lounge access rules and operating hours. Fees and shower availability can vary, so travellers should confirm directly with the lounge before relying on this option. See Airport Lounges above for locations and details.

WiFi/Internet

Free unlimited WiFi is available at Milan Malpensa Airport. Connect to the “MALPENSA FREE WI-FI” network. No registration is required, there are no time limits, and reported speeds are up to 20 Mbps.

Security & Safety

Airport staff seem to have no issue with airport sleepers, even those camping overnight.

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Milan Malpensa Airport. In fact, a few travellers reported feeling safe inside the airport.

However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

• Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
• Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
• Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
• Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

More Airport Information