Caronte

60‑minute MXP–Novara bus when you don’t want Milan

Caronte runs a direct coach from Milan Malpensa (MXP) to Novara in about 60 minutes, aimed at people who’d rather skip going into Milan and dealing with Trenord trains. Buses serve both T1 and T2, so you can board straight after baggage claim without taking the inter-terminal shuttle first.

The service runs roughly every hour, which is less often than the airport–Milan coaches that go every 20–30 minutes, so you need to check the timetable and build some buffer. Caronte is a standard single-deck coach, not a city bus, with underfloor luggage space for full-size suitcases and cabin bags.

From Terminal 1, Caronte usually departs from the long-distance coach bays outside the Arrivals level, the same area used by other intercity buses; follow signs for “Bus/Pullman” once you exit customs. At T2, stops sit just outside the terminal doors near the shuttle bus stand, so you won’t be dragging bags far.

Fares on this MXP–Novara route land in the typical airport-coach bracket, generally cheaper than a taxi that can easily run to €80–€100 for the same distance. You can often buy tickets directly from the driver in euros, but buying online in advance locks in the seat and avoids dealing with cash right after landing.

Caronte mainly targets Novara and nearby towns, so it’s most useful if you’re actually staying in the Novara province or connecting to local buses and regional trains there. If your hotel is in central Milan, you’re almost always faster with the MXP–Milan coaches or the Malpensa Express to Cadorna or Centrale.

There isn’t much in the way of snacks at the outdoor coach bays, and journey time is a straight 60 minutes with no onboard catering, so grab water and something to eat inside T1 or T2 before you walk out to the stop.

Practical tip: aim to land at the stop at least 10–15 minutes before the scheduled departure, because the bus can load quickly and you don’t want your only hourly option pulling away while you’re still at the ticket machine.