2 Questions related to Trains

You have to change the ticket beforehand and can not just get on since those IC trains tickets come with assigned seat numbers. There is more than likely a plug to charge your mobile by the foot rest or directly underneath your chair. I have seen them with the USB option but be prepared for both. Kill an hour or two in Milan by going to see the Duomo (cathedral) from the outside. I do not think you have time to go in. There is a baggage storage counter at Milan Centrale.

If you do check your luggage at the station for the 1-2 hour layover, as I recall it’s a counter, not lockers. So you have to allow time for retrieving your bags. A line can materialize quickly, both for check in and pick up.

Thanks for posting this question as we will be doing the same. Would you mind sharing what time your flight arrives in Milan? I'm curious what time you booked your ticket out of Milano Central to Monterosso? Our flight arrives at 10am and we are considering booking the direct train to Monterosso at 2pm arriving around 5pm. I'm not sure if 4 hours is enough time. We will have passed through passport control in Zurich. Thanks! (Edit: Are you arriving at MXP and taking the express to Milano Central?)

Thanks for the information. We are actually doing the Duomo and surrounding area during the afternoon of our last day before flying out of LIN the next morning.

In terms of our arrival flight, we land from Brussels (origin is IAD so we will go through passport control at BRU) at 1120am. We are on the 2pm train that you mentioned. I am doubting us getting on an earlier train but I wanted to get some information on the off chance we make it from the airport in time to attempt.

For what I mentioned about visiting Milan in the afternoon on our last day prior to flying out.... we are using these lockers which are about a 5 minute walk from the station and right by the Tram 1 line. Just wanted to post if it is helpful for anyone considering luggage storage.... I have read alot about the lines at the luggage check within the train station.

https://g.page/syb-milan-station?share

Well I checked Ita.Matrix and figured out you were landing at Linate. Assuming your plane lands on time and you take taxi to Centrale, you should be there by noon. Why not just park your butts at a table in one of the cafes at the station and have a relaxing lunch. No luggage storage worries. You really don't have enough time to do much else.

That is the plan Sam.... I was just asking on the off chance we make it in time for an earlier train but it is doubtful. Any cafe recommendations within the train station?

Bistrot Centrale gets high marks.
https://www.autogrill.com/en/brands/bistrot-milano-centrale

The man in seat 61 also gives a recommendation for an off-station restaurant.
https://www.seat61.com/stations/milan-centrale.htm#Somewhere_to_eat_between_trains

Milan Central is huge so killing an hour or two won't be hard. Shop, eat, drink. There are plenty of options.