Car Rental Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

Offering a cosmopolitan atmosphere and culture wherever you look, Milan is one of Italy’s most refined and graceful cities. Renting a car is the perfect way to see the very best of the area and to explore the surrounding region at your own pace.

Milan Malpensa Airport is located just 30 miles' drive from the center, and both the airport and city are extremely well connected. To reach the heart of Milan, leave the airport via the SS336, and connect to the A8. 

Speed limits in Italy typically vary from 130km/h (80mph) on major highways to 50km/h (30mph) in built-up areas, but keep an eye on the signs for guidance. Some Italian freeways, known as 'autostrade', have tolls, so bear this in mind before traveling. 

Like many major Italian cities, there’s a ZTL – or 'zona traffic limitato' – in the center of Milan during the week, and only residents can drive inside these zones. If your hotel is inside the area, contact them and they’ll arrange access for you. You’ll also find many parking lots around the city, allowing you to park up and see the main sights with ease.

If you're taking your rental car from Milan Malpensa Airport further afield, it’s around an hour and 20 minutes' drive to Bergamo. In this enchanting medieval city you’ll find the ancient hilltop Città Alta town, overlooking the modern Città Bassa below.

Alternatively, join the A8 from the outskirts of the city and then follow the A9 to idyllic Lake Como, situated at the foothills of the Alps. The breathtaking views overlooking the sparkling waters make it a real favorite among Hollywood stars.

Drive along the A4 meanwhile and in less than two hours you can visit Turin. One of Italy’s most unsung cities. With its own majestic skyline, it’s well worth the journey. Those with a sweet tooth will be happy to learn that this is the Italian capital of chocolate - and also the birthplace of Nutella.   

Elegance and sophistication flow through the streets of Milan, also known as the European capital of fashion and design.

Situated just a short distance from the Alps and the border with Switzerland, car rental at Milan Malpensa Airport means you’re well-placed to discover this fantastic part of Italy.

Amazing architecture

Art and architecture sit side-by-side in Milan, with each stunning work or building as impressive as the last. First, make your way to Piazza del Duomo and gaze up in awe at the third largest Catholic church in the world.

This impressive Gothic cathedral, which took almost six centuries to complete, took true Renaissance form in the 16th century in a baroque fashion, and has incorporated a number of other decorative styles over the years. Get up close to admire the beautifully sculpted statues and spires. There’s certainly plenty to see - this building has more statues than any other on the planet. At the highest point you’ll see the golden Madonnina lady glistening in the sun. 

Milan is also the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece 'The Last Supper'. It’s preserved in the Cenacolo refectory, at the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Due to the fragility of the work, you can only enter in small groups. 

Explore beautiful Lake Como

Take a peaceful, scenic drive towards the Swiss border and, at the foothill of the Alps, you’ll find the tranquil escape of Lake Como.

As you drive in you’ll see mountains towering over lush greenery, flecked with colorful flowers which lead down to the sapphire blue waters of the lake. Overwhelming with its natural beauty, it’s clear why this destination is so popular with stars including George Clooney and Madonna.  

The picturesque villages that surround the lake are straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander the cobbled streets and you’ll see Gothic architecture and colorful buildings. Each and every village surrounding the waters, from Como to Menaggio, is unique and well worth a visit.

The lake itself is a hive of activity, from canoeing and kayaking to boat trips. Back on dry land you can still get involved, signing up for the thrilling experience of zip lining.

Step back in time

In medieval Bergamo, a day trip away, age-old, hilltop streets are surrounded by miles of Venetian walls. In this ancient upper town called the Città Alta, you can gaze over the more modern Città Bassa which sits below. These partnering areas have been connected by a funicular mountain railway for more than 120 years. Park up and from the comfort of your carriage, you can enjoy sweeping views right across the Lombardy region.

This city is the birthplace of one of the world’s greatest opera composers, Donizetti. You’ll find the home of this 19^th-century musician in the upper Città Alta area, marked by a marble plaque. Learn more about his life at the Museo Donizettiano museum, and visit the Donizetti Theatre to see some of his best pieces performed.

Collect your rental car from Milan Malpensa Airport and the whole of northern Italy is yours to discover. Reserve direct now.