Milan to Tokyo is one of Italy’s flagship long-haul routes, and you have a real choice: fly non-stop with ANA to Haneda in about 13 hours, or save money on a one-stop itinerary through the Gulf or Istanbul. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return costs in euros, and when to book for the best price.
Route: Milan Malpensa (MXP) → Tokyo Haneda (HND) / Narita (NRT)
Distance: approximately 9,700 km (6,000 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 12h 55m to Haneda
Direct flights: Yes — ANA flies non-stop from Malpensa to Tokyo Haneda. One-stop options are usually cheaper.
Fares from Milan to Tokyo (EUR)
Tokyo is a year-round city, but fares track Japan’s calendar: the cherry-blossom weeks (late March–early April), the autumn-leaf season (November) and Golden Week and Obon push prices up, while winter and early summer are cheaper. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros — the lowest are usually one-stop itineraries, with the ANA non-stop sitting toward the higher end.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low-medium |
| February | — | low |
| March | — | high (blossom) |
| April | — | high (blossom) |
| May | — | medium (Golden Week) |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | medium (school holidays) |
| August | — | medium-high (Obon) |
| September | — | medium |
| October | — | medium-high |
| November | — | high (autumn leaves) |
| December | — | high (year-end) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, the floor is €553 and the connecting median €742. So a one-stop return under about €650 is a genuinely good one and worth booking quickly; €700–€870 is the ordinary range, and there is nothing in the four hundreds to wait for. The ANA non-stop to Haneda starts well above the connections — €1,045–€1,509, median €1,228 — so budget from about a thousand euros if you want to fly direct.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 13 hours to Haneda):
- ANA (All Nippon Airways) — non-stop Malpensa → Tokyo Haneda on the Boeing 787-9, several times a week; a consistently top-rated 5-star carrier.
One-stop (usually the cheapest, about 15–18 hours total):
- ITA Airways via Rome — connects Milan onto its own non-stop Rome–Tokyo Haneda service; a convenient single-airline option.
- Qatar Airways via Doha and Emirates via Dubai — frequent, strong economy and often the best value.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — wide schedule and typically among the lowest headline fares.
- Finnair via Helsinki — a European one-stop; the Japan flights run longer now that they route around Russian airspace.
Because the one-stop carriers compete hard, they usually undercut the non-stop by €60–€150. If time matters most, ANA’s direct flight to Haneda is the pick; if price is the priority, a single stop through Doha, Dubai or Istanbul is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–5 months ahead for long-haul Japan fares — they rarely fall in the final weeks and blossom-season seats sell out early.
- Avoid the peaks: late-March/early-April cherry blossom, Golden Week (late April–early May), mid-August Obon and the November leaves are the busiest and most expensive.
- Winter and early summer (January–February, June) are the cheapest windows, with thinner crowds in the city.
- Mind the airport: the ANA non-stop lands at central Haneda, while most one-stop connections arrive at Narita, further out — factor the transfer time and cost into your comparison.
- Check checked-bag rules: ANA and the Gulf and full-service carriers usually include a generous bag to Japan, but the cheapest “light” fares may not — compare the all-in price.
Arriving in Tokyo
The ANA non-stop lands at Haneda (HND), only about 15 km south of central Tokyo — the Keikyu line or Tokyo Monorail reaches the city in 15–30 minutes for a few euros, and a taxi to the centre runs roughly €40–€60. Most one-stop connections use Narita (NRT), about 60 km east; from there the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in around 45 minutes (roughly €15), or the JR Narita Express serves Tokyo Station. Check which airport your ticket uses, as they are on opposite sides of the city.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Milan to Tokyo?
The ANA non-stop to Haneda takes about 12 hours 55 minutes eastbound, and a little longer on the way back. One-stop itineraries through Doha, Dubai or Istanbul typically take 15 to 18 hours in total, depending on the connection.
Are there direct flights from Milan to Tokyo?
Yes. ANA (All Nippon Airways) flies non-stop from Milan Malpensa to Tokyo Haneda. If you’d rather save money, one-stop flights with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines or ITA Airways (via Rome) are usually cheaper than the non-stop.
How much does it cost to fly from Milan to Tokyo?
A typical connecting economy return runs about €700–€870, median €742, with the connections spanning €553–€1,189. The ANA non-stop runs €1,045–€1,509. The blossom and autumn peaks push everything toward the top.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Milan to Tokyo?
February and June are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, connecting returns started at €553 and the ANA non-stop at €1,045. Avoid late March and early April (cherry blossom), Golden Week in early May and mid-August (Obon), which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Milan to Tokyo?
Non-stop: ANA from Malpensa to Haneda, €1,045–€1,509. One-stop, cheapest first in our fare data: Air China (€553–€893, over half the cheap fares, and mostly into Haneda), China Eastern (€626–€893), Finnair via Helsinki (€691–€848), LOT (€871) and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (€1,189). ITA Airways via Rome, Qatar Airways via Doha and Emirates via Dubai also sell the route but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. Connecting does offer the lowest fares — here it saves roughly €490. Check transit-visa rules for your passport before booking a Chinese connection.
Which airport do I fly into in Tokyo?
The ANA non-stop arrives at Haneda (HND), close to central Tokyo. Most one-stop connections land at Narita (NRT), further out to the east. They are on opposite sides of the city, so check which airport your ticket uses before you plan onward transport.
How far in advance should I book Milan to Tokyo flights?
Aim for 3 to 5 months ahead. Long-haul Japan fares tend to climb as departure nears, and the blossom and autumn peaks book out early, so booking well in advance almost always wins on both price and choice of flight.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and pairing weekday flights out and back can save €40–€90 on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
