Hi all~
I 'm wondering if there's a nonstop train from Nice to Milan? The sites mention a connection in Ventimiglia, but does that mean it just stops there or do we actually need to get off and change trains? This last train to book on our trip has been a bit confusing..trying to get to Varenna via Milan.
Posted by
Chicago
8019 posts
No non stop. You have to get off at Ventimiglia and catch a connecting train to Milan.
When you get to Milan then buy the ticket to Varenna.
Those are commuter regional trains (Trenord). They don't require reservations or sell out. You just buy a ticket from a machine and hop on. There are 18 trains a day from Milan to Varenna. The last one is at 23:59 or 11:59 PM.
Posted by
Wengen
2018 posts
There used to be one, but the pandemic killed it off. It has so far not returned.
SNCF is planning on running a Nice - Milan service again from December, using a TGV set no less (will be the only TGV service that does not touch an HST at all...)
But the change in Ventigmiglia is not a big issue. Changing trains is a normal and expected feature of train travel. You can book Nice - Varenna on Trainline, or just buy the ticket at the station in Nice.
Or book Ventimiglia - Varenna on www.trenitalia.com, and buy the Nice - Ventimiglia ticket at the station.
Note that there is no need to book this months in advance...
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thanks Jazz & Weng… also, we’re actually leaving from VilleFranche Sur Mer, is there any train that leaves from there or do I need to drive to Nice and hop on a train there?
Thanks🙏🏻
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33148 posts
nearly every train from Nice to Ventimiglia makes the same stops.
From Nice Ville it will call at
Nice-Riquier
Villefranche-sur-Mer (your stop)
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Eze
Cap-d'Ail
Monaco-Monte-Carlo
Cap-Martin-Roquebrun
Carnoles
Menton
Menton Garavan
Ventimiglia
It sounds like a lot but only takes just over half an hour from Nice. Sit on the right for the views.
There are a couple of rush hour trains which skip a couple of smaller stations to clip 2 or 3 minutes off the time, not worth it IMHO. Just take whichever train fits your schedule...
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33148 posts
I'm worried about your question about having to drive to Nice to get the train. Will you have a car you need to turn in before getting the train? Or did you just mean to take a taxi?
I don't know of any car rental places in Villefranche sur Mer. Or will you park it for the trip to Lake Como?
Posted by
Wengen
2018 posts
When asking about train travel it is always good to mention where you are actually leaving from, as indeed Villefranche Sur Mer has a station too.
The trains that run between Nice and Ventigmiglia are just mass transit. Like a commuter or urban railway in the US. So you do not need to worry in advance about buying tickets. It is even quite probably you will be using these trains to get around the place, eg to get to Nice. You get tickets from the ticket office (if it is open) or a ticket vending machine.
From Ventigmiglia to Milano you are on a Trenitalia IC train. These trains require reservations. And while you quite probably would get a ticket and seat for the next train if you just turned up at Ventimiglia and bought the ticket on the spot booking this in advance is advisable, as there are some good discounts to be had. From Milano to Varenna is again just a local commuter train. You can buy the ticket for that however together with the IC ticket on www.trenitalia.com.