Malpensa to Linate transfer: choosing the right vehicle based on passengers and luggage

Organising a transfer between Malpensa and Linate may seem like a simple point-to-point journey. In reality, for both leisure and business travellers, the quality of this connection can influence punctuality, travel stress and even the perception of an entire trip or corporate event. The choice of vehicle, calibrated on the actual number of passengers and pieces of luggage, is one of the most underestimated but decisive variables.

For companies, travel managers, event organisers and frequent flyers, understanding how to size a Malpensa–Linate transfer in a rational way means reducing delays, avoiding last-minute surcharges and ensuring comfort and safety. This article analyses the context, data and selection criteria to choose the most suitable vehicle class, with a focus on practical, operational implications rather than abstract recommendations.

The Malpensa–Linate corridor: context and why vehicle choice matters

Milano Malpensa and Milano Linate serve complementary roles within the same metropolitan area. Malpensa is the main intercontinental gateway, while Linate is the city airport, heavily used for domestic and short-haul European routes. The Malpensa–Linate axis therefore concentrates a high volume of inter-airport transfers, especially for passengers connecting between long-haul and European flights or between different airline networks.

Travel time by road between the two airports is generally estimated around 60–75 minutes in normal traffic, but can easily extend to 90 minutes or more in peak hours or in case of roadworks and accidents. Several mobility observatories in Lombardy highlight how congestion on the main access routes to Milan has increased significantly over the last decade, with daily traffic flows on radial motorways and ring roads growing by tens of percentage points compared to the early 2010s. In this scenario, a miscalculated vehicle choice can translate into delays, poor comfort and a higher probability of missing a connection.

Professional operators offering services such as transfer Malpensa Linate base their fleets precisely on these constraints: variable traffic, irregular flows of passengers, and highly heterogeneous baggage configurations. The objective is not only to “move people” but to optimise the combination of time, comfort, cost and reliability, especially for corporate and international clients with tight schedules.

Trend, demand and operational challenges on the Malpensa–Linate route

Over the last few years, Milan’s airports have seen a steady recovery and then a growth of passenger traffic after the sharp drop recorded during the 2020 health emergency. According to data periodically reported by Italian airport associations, Malpensa has returned to handling tens of millions of passengers per year, while Linate, despite its more limited capacity, manages a significant share of domestic and European business traffic.

This growth has three concrete effects on the Malpensa–Linate transfer corridor:

• Higher share of international passengers with multiple pieces of luggage and oversized baggage (sports equipment, musical instruments, professional gear).
• Stronger time constraints for business travellers and MICE-related flows (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), linked to the calendar of fairs and events in Milan.
• Increased variability in demand by time slot and season, which makes the correct dimensioning of vehicle size and fleet mix more complex.

From an operational point of view, the main challenge is to match the right type of vehicle to the specific group configuration. Underestimating baggage volume or overestimating the capacity of a single car leads to critical situations: suitcases placed in the passenger compartment, reduced comfort, safety issues related to visibility and, in extreme cases, vehicles forced to refuse passengers or luggage at the last minute.

Passenger and luggage profiles: how they impact vehicle selection

To choose the optimal vehicle for a Malpensa–Linate transfer, it is useful to start not from the abstract “car category” but from concrete travel profiles. In practice, three main dimensions must be considered: number of passengers, type and quantity of luggage, and specific constraints (children, elderly, equipment, business needs).

Individual travellers and couples

Solo passengers and couples often travel with one large suitcase and one cabin-size trolley each. For this configuration, a standard sedan usually offers an adequate balance between comfort and cost, provided that the trunk is not already partially occupied (for example by equipment or driver’s personal items). In high season, however, even couples may carry extra bags, shopping or bulky hand luggage that require an upgrade to a station wagon or compact van.

Families and small groups (3–5 passengers)

Families typically travel with more luggage than business travellers: children’s suitcases, strollers, car seats, backpacks and sometimes bulky items such as travel cots or sports gear. For 3–5 people, an MPV or minivan is often more suitable than a single sedan, not so much for the number of seats but for the volume and modularity of the luggage compartment, with the possibility of folding seats and rearranging the interior.

Medium and large groups (6–20 passengers)

Groups of friends, delegations, small corporate teams and tour groups require planning that considers both seating and luggage load. Using multiple small vehicles can be inefficient and confusing, especially when there is a need to keep the group together for organisational or security reasons. In these cases, minibus or midibus solutions with dedicated luggage space are more rational, particularly on a route where timing and coordination with flights are critical.

Special categories: business, events and VIP

Business and VIP transfers introduce further variables: need for privacy, comfortable work environment on board, possibility to hold brief meetings during the trip, expectations regarding vehicle class and image. Here the choice is not only about capacity, but also about brand perception and comfort level: premium sedans, luxury vans and high-end minibuses may be preferred, even with a slightly lower theoretical seat count, in order to guarantee a superior experience and comply with the standards expected by international clients.

Quantifying space: realistic capacity for passengers and luggage

Official vehicle capacity data are often optimistic if applied to real trips between airports, where almost every passenger carries at least one large suitcase. A rational approach is to distinguish between theoretical and effective capacity.

Theoretical capacity refers to the maximum number of passengers and suitcases that can physically fit, sometimes at the expense of comfort and safety. Effective capacity, more relevant for professional transfers, takes into account ergonomic constraints, accessibility and regulatory aspects (for example, not obstructing escape routes or visibility).

In a professional perspective, an effective rule of thumb is to reduce the “marketing” capacity by one or two units. For example, a vehicle promoted as ideal for “3 passengers + 3 large suitcases” is often actually comfortable with 2–3 suitcases and some soft bags, assuming average suitcase dimensions. Oversized bags (ski bags, photographic equipment cases, musical instruments) can quickly saturate the available space and justify the use of an upper vehicle category.

Data, punctuality and risk: why underestimating luggage is costly

International punctuality statistics show that the margin between a successful connection and a missed one is often measured in minutes rather than hours. According to several airline punctuality reports, even in normal operations a non-negligible share of flights suffers delays of 15–30 minutes, which can overlap with dense connection schedules designed around minimum connection times.

On the ground, road journey times within metropolitan areas are subject to strong variability. Mobility studies in European metropolises comparable to Milan report that, at peak times, travel times on main axes can be 30–50% longer than off-peak times. On the Malpensa–Linate stretch, starting with an undersized vehicle can produce a cascade of micro-delays: more time needed to load luggage, reorganisation of seats, need to call a second vehicle, negotiation with passengers regarding where to place bags.

Each of these micro-frictions translates into minutes lost and increased stress levels, with a concrete risk of missing the onward flight, especially when the connection is already tight. For companies and organisations, the indirect cost of a missed connection far exceeds the difference between a standard car and a more capacious, adequately sized vehicle category.

Opportunities and advantages of correct vehicle sizing

Conversely, investing in an appropriate vehicle class for the Malpensa–Linate transfer offers advantages that go beyond simple comfort. It becomes a strategic choice that can improve operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and even cost management in the medium term.

Predictability and punctuality

A correctly sized vehicle allows faster loading and unloading, reduces the margin of uncertainty and makes travel times more predictable. This predictability is crucial in planning connections between international and domestic flights, especially in cases where passengers do not know the city or do not speak the local language.

Professional image and perceived quality

For companies and organisations, welcoming a guest with a comfortable and appropriate vehicle communicates attention to detail and respect for the traveller’s time. This is particularly valuable in sectors where customer experience and perceived reliability are key differentiators, such as finance, consulting, fashion, technology and events.

Cost efficiency over the whole travel chain

Although a larger or higher-class vehicle may have a higher unit cost, it can reduce overall spending if it prevents missed connections, additional nights in hotels, flight changes or compensation. From a travel management perspective, the correct dimensioning of transfers is part of a risk mitigation strategy that considers the total cost of a trip, not just the cost of each individual service.

Regulatory and practical aspects: what to keep in mind

Professional passenger transport between Italian airports is subject to a series of rules and authorisations that aim to guarantee safety, transparency and quality of service. Without going into legal technicalities, it is useful to highlight some practical aspects that influence the choice of vehicle and type of service.

First, vehicles used for professional transfer services must be properly licensed and insured for passenger transport. This implies regular checks on the state of the vehicle, the driver’s qualifications and compliance with road safety regulations. Travellers and companies that rely on structured operators instead of informal or unlicensed services benefit from greater protection in the event of delays, accidents or disputes.

Secondly, capacity limits and seat configuration are not purely commercial choices: they are linked to type-approval standards and safety regulations. A vehicle configured for a certain number of passengers cannot legally transport more people than authorised, even if “physically” there would be space. Attempting to exceed these limits exposes both the driver and passengers to sanctions and risks, and can invalidate insurance coverage.

Finally, in some time slots and circumstances (for example, during major events or in the presence of special security measures), access to certain airport areas may be restricted or regulated in a stricter way. Professional operators with experience on the Malpensa–Linate route tend to structure their services taking into account these constraints, choosing vehicle categories and operational procedures that minimise the risk of delays linked to access or parking.

How to choose the right vehicle: a practical framework

Translating these considerations into operational decisions requires a simple but structured approach. A practical framework for selecting the vehicle for a Malpensa–Linate transfer can be summarised in three steps: analysis of needs, assessment of constraints, and choice of category.

1. Analyse passengers and luggage, not just “number of people”

The starting point is a detailed count of passengers, specifying adults, children and any people with reduced mobility. At the same time, the number and type of luggage must be explicitly considered: large suitcases, cabin trolleys, backpacks, special items (strollers, instruments, sports equipment, sample cases, exhibition material). Vague descriptions such as “some bags” are of little use in planning an efficient transfer.

2. Assess time, comfort and image constraints

Once the basic data are clear, it is important to define priorities: is the main objective to minimise cost, maximise comfort, or project a certain image? Is there a tight connection, or is there a comfortable time margin? Is the transfer for internal staff, clients, or high-profile guests? The answers guide the trade-offs between capacity, class and type of vehicle.

3. Choose the category and consider a safety margin

Finally, based on the above, the most appropriate category is chosen, always including a reasonable safety margin. If uncertainty remains about luggage volume, opting for the next vehicle size up is usually more rational than risking last-minute problems. In the context of Malpensa–Linate transfers, where recovering from a mistake can be complex due to traffic and airport dynamics, this safety margin often proves to be a wise investment.

Conclusion: turning a critical link into a controlled process

The Malpensa–Linate transfer is a critical segment in many national and international travel itineraries. Treating it as a simple “taxi ride” between two points means underestimating the complexity of flows, variability of traffic and sensitivity of connections. A methodological approach to vehicle choice, based on real passenger and luggage profiles, allows this segment to be transformed from a potential bottleneck into a controlled and predictable process.

For companies, institutions and frequent travellers, investing a few minutes in calibrating the type of vehicle to the actual needs of the journey helps to protect time, image and safety. Analysing the configuration of passengers and baggage, understanding operational and regulatory constraints, and choosing the appropriate vehicle category with a reasonable safety margin are all steps that contribute to more reliable, comfortable and efficient transfers between Malpensa and Linate.

For those who regularly organise travel for staff, clients or guests, it is advisable to define internal guidelines on how to choose vehicles for inter-airport transfers, including standard questions to ask travellers and criteria for selecting the most suitable category. In this way, the Malpensa–Linate route ceases to be a source of uncertainty and becomes an integrated and professionally managed component of the overall travel experience.