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Milan for one night

In September, we fly to Milan from the US and will overnight in Milan before we travel to another part of Italy the next day.
We're debating whether to stay at a hotel near the train station (Porta Garibaldi) or one that is near the Duomo and La Scala.
While we will return to Milan later in our trip to really visit it, we thought that with our jet lag, staying closer to the Duomo would be good because we could walk around that area and get a sense for the sights.
The next morning we leave very early on a train from P. Garibaldi.

With jet lag is it "better" to be in a hotel closer to the train station or near the sights?
Is there a hotel you'd recommend? i.e. Antica Locanda Leonardo
Finally, would you take the metro to P. Garibaldi or a taxi for a 6 am train? (is the metro open before 6 am?)

Thank you!
Elizabeth

Posted by
2274 posts

I've been jinxed twice at Porta Garibaldi, and had to scramble to get to the Centrale for alternate routings - a 6:00am departure would not sit well with me, just saying.

Posted by
2274 posts

The 1st time was a last minute cancellation, with a last minute announcement - hey it happens. The second time involved a mythical train - I purchased the ticket on line from Trenitalia before leaving for Italy, got off the plane and made my way to that station, waiting, waiting, waiting - turned out I purchased a ticket to nowhere. Both times had to get back to Centrale and rework my schedule.

Posted by
11056 posts

Stay near train station the first night as your train leaves very early and it will let you sleep a little later. Then when you return, stay at Antica Locanda Leonardo where we always stay in Milan.

Posted by
973 posts

We just returned. We flew in to Milan and decided to stay near the train station to catch it the next day. We stayed at Hotel Berna which is 2 blocks away with several nice restaurants right there. Very nice and clean hotel. Good prices.

Posted by
2274 posts

The Hotel Berna is 2 blocks away from Milano Centrale - the OP is asking about staying near the station at Porta Garibaldi.

Posted by
23 posts

I highly recommend the NYX Hotel near the station. They have an amazing courtyard and aperitivo hour, the rooms are modern, very clean and have great AC. I’ve stayed there twice on my way to other destinations and it’s worked out great. If you are flying out of Malpensa airport, I can also recommend Hotel Villa Malpensa. There is a free airport shuttle and it’s less than a mile or so from the airport.