I'm trying to book train tickets for my upcoming trip within a few countries in Europe and I'm noticing that when I need to switch trains I only have a short period of time to do so. Are trains usually delayed? Will I have difficulty making these times or should I find another option? For example, one trip to go from Nice to Milan would be Nice Ville to Ventimiglia, Italy (with an 18 minute stop) to Milano Centrale. If there is a way to prepare for short train stops and switches please let me know! Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Chicago
8163 posts
18 minutes is enough at Ventimiglia and I would be comfortable with that at most stations in Italy. The biggest stations I have encountered are in Milan and Bologna.
Most abled body or seasoned passengers that ride trains regularly or that may have another connection on a certain route get up and head towards the door to exit before the scheduled stop, so they are the first in a car to get off.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33810 posts
18 minutes at Ventimiglia would give you enough time to walk into the station, have a piece of the fresh soca they do there, and walk to the door to look out to the Med, then back in and get onto your train without rushing.
Your inbound train comes in, you get off, you walk to the next platform and get on. You could do that in 3 or 4 minutes, even if you have luggage.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33810 posts
The French train terminates there and the Italian train begins its journey there.
Posted by
Wengen
2488 posts
If you think 18 minutes is short wait till you get to Switzerland...
Here we consider 18 minutes for a transfer actually unacceptably long. Train transfers should be short, as hanging around a station waiting for a train is not that nice.
If you miss a connection due to a delay just take the next train...