Linate Airport Departures

The entrance to the departures hall at Milan Linate is located on the upper level of the terminal building. If you are arriving at the airport by taxi, the driver can drop you off outside the entrance. However, there is a minimum charge of €3.00 for private vehicles to stop in this area.

The car parks are no more than a five-minute walk with direct access to the terminal. In P2, the first twenty minutes are free, making it ideal for dropping off passengers. More information about parking is available here.

Buses and coaches stop outside the arrivals hall on the lower level and you would need to use the lifts or escalators to get to the check-in area.

It is generally advised to arrive at the airport no less than two hours before a short-haul flight to allow for check-in and security. Linate can get very busy at peak times so it can be worth getting there earlier. As many airlines now allow you check in online or on your phone, and if you only have cabin bags, you can go straight through to security. Otherwise, the departures screens will tell you at which desks to check in.

Should you have to wait to check-in; there are restaurants, cafés and fast food outlets. The shops in this area include a newsagent, mobile phone outlets, men's and women's fashions, toys and sunglasses. Unlimited free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the airport and there are public computer terminals with internet access.

Check-In

At check-in, you will have to produce a valid passport or, for Schengen citizens, a national ID card, and your booking reference. Hold luggage will be weighed and tagged and your cabin bags could be checked to ensure they conform to the airline's regulations. You can be heavily penalised if they are over the limits.

Certain goods are forbidden from being carried on aircraft. Also, some items can be carried in hold bags but not cabin bags and vice versa. The CAA website (www.caa.co.uk) has full details on restricted goods.

Security Screening

On entering the security area your boarding pass will be scanned so, to avoid unnecessary delays, have it ready whether on your mobile device or printed.

At screening, your hand luggage will be x-rayed for any prohibited items. Liquids must be removed, put in a transparent plastic bag and in containers of not more than 100ml. Large electronic items such as laptops have to be screened separately. You will be required to empty your pockets, remove jackets and any metal items and place them in the plastic trays.

You will then walk through a metal detector on which a green light should show. If it bleeps and a red light shows, you will be searched for the offending item.

Departures Lounge

Once you've got the all clear from security you can proceed to the departures lounge where, if you have allowed sufficient time, you can relax before your flight. There are different areas for domestic and international flights.

There are monitors throughout this area with flight information, and the gate number for your departure will be displayed around forty minutes before boarding.

Whilst waiting, you can take advantage of the free Wi-Fi or use the public computers. The departures lounge has many food and drink outlets and shops selling a variety of goods including fashion and sports clothes, electronics, gifts and souvenirs, magazines and books.

When the gate number for your flight is shown you should head straight there. Be aware that your gate might be on a different level, but there is clear signage to guide you.