Landing at Milan Malpensa airport puts you close to Lombardy's lakes, fashion and business centers. Renting a car puts you in control right from the start, allowing you to reach Milan, the exhibition center or Lake Como without having to change trains or carry luggage in buses. Goldcar offers a modern fleet, clear rates and extra services designed for British travelers. Early booking usually gets you the best deal, especially during Fashion Week and the Salone del Mobile. Express pick-up, multilingual assistance and 24/7 roadside assistance add to peace of mind.
Why rent a car in Malpensa?
Milan is well served by public transport, but a car saves time and opens up the region. From the airport, the A8 takes you quickly to the city, Monza, Como and Maggiore. With your own vehicle, you can shop freely, stop off in villages and take day trips without worrying about timetables. Business travelers avoid night-time changes, while families can transport luggage, child seats and snacks with ease.
Malpensa is 50 km from the center, about an hour's drive. The lakes are quicker to reach by road than by rail, and you can visit more than one per day with a car. A rental car can also transform a stay in Milan into a road trip through northern Italy.
Vehicle types and extras
Goldcar's fleet at Malpensa includes economy cars for the city, station wagons and hatchbacks for longer journeys, SUVs for families and seven- or nine-seater people carriers. Automatic, hybrid and electric cars are available on certain dates. In winter, you can add chains or winter tires. The reservation system lets you filter by trunk size, gearbox and fuel type.
Additional options include satellite navigation, Wi-Fi, child seats and extra drivers. Many travelers opt for zero deductible coverage for added peace of mind. Goldcar guarantees a car in the chosen category and offers permanent roadside assistance.
Where can you pick up your car at Milan Malpensa airport?
Most flights land in Terminal 1, where car rental counters are indicated in Arrivals. Follow the Rent a Car signs and present your driving license, passport, reservation and payment card. If you land at Terminal 2, take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1. Pick-up areas are located in the terminal parking lots. Staff will show you to your location and explain the orders. Before you leave, check fuel type, vehicle condition and nearest service stations. Express services and the app reduce waiting time. Out-of-hours pick-up and drop-off may be available. For returns, follow the rental car return signs, refuel if necessary and use the key deposit if requested.
Explore Milan and beyond
Central Milan is best reached by driving to the outdoor parking lots and terminating on the metro. Visit the Duomo, the Galleria, La Scala and the Sforza castle, then relax in Brera or Navigli. Monza is nearby, with its royal villa, park and racetrack. Bergamo is about an hour's drive away, with a magnificent old town perched on a hill. The Fiera Milano Rho exhibition center is just a short drive away.
The lakes are not to be missed. Como is less than an hour away, with ferries to Bellagio and lakeside roads to towns like Cernobbio. Lake Maggiore offers Stresa and the Borromean Islands. Lake Iseo and the vineyards of Franciacorta lend themselves to day trips, while Turin and the Valtellina valley offer longer excursions.
Tips for driving and parking in Milan
Central Milan has a restricted traffic zone called Zone C, monitored by cameras on weekdays. Most visitors park outside and take the metro. Public parking lots are signposted at Porta Garibaldi, Cadorna and other metro stations. On-street parking spaces are color-coded: blue for paid spaces, white sometimes free, yellow for reserved spaces. Always check the signs. Keep valuables out of sight and lock your car.
Italian speed limits are 50 km/h in town, 90 on ordinary roads, 110 on dual carriageways and 130 on freeways, with reductions in case of rain. Seat belts must be worn. Children must be seated in adapted seats. The alcohol limit is lower than in the UK. Freeways are tolled: take a ticket on entry, pay on exit by card or cash, and avoid Telepass lanes unless authorized. From November to April, winter tires or chains are mandatory on some roads. Wear a reflective vest and warning triangle, and use low-beam headlights outside towns.
Best time to visit Milan
From April to June and from September to October, the weather is pleasant and traffic conditions are good. Summer is hot, but the streets are quieter in August, when residents leave the city. Winter is marked by Christmas markets, sales and foggy days, so allow extra time on the road. Big events drive up prices, so book early for fashion week or the Salone del Mobile.
