We are arriving in Milan from Australia at Malpensa airport at approx 1.25 pm. Our plan is to catch a train from the airport to Milan central station and then changing trains to Varenna. Our first few nights of our 6 week trip. Can anyone advise us on an approx time frame to get from airport to main station in enough time to catch a connecting train to our destination. It will be a long journey from Australia and we're worried it may be too tight to catch the 3pm train to Varenna. And if so is there a later train.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
I guess my main question is, how much time do we need when transferring from the airport train to the Vareena train. Are the platforms anywhere near each other or are we wondering around a myriad of platforms to find the correct one to Vareena
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
368 posts
There's no way you can catch the 3pm train to Varenna. You need time to deplane, go through immigration, get your tickets. Malpensa express takes an hour to Milan Centrale. Good news, there is a train to Varenna almost every hour til evening. Check schedules on www.trenitalia.com.
Both tickets can be purchashed at the airport, kiosk or machines. Remember to validate your tickets & be prepared to disembark at Varenna as the train stops very briefly.
Posted by
Southwest Florida
905 posts
It takes about 1 hour from Malpensa to Milano Centrale. From there you probably have no trouble as trains go every hour this time of year to Varenna. Last one is 21:20.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"I guess my main question is, how much time do we need when transferring from the airport train to the Vareena train."
Milano Centrale station is huge with multiple levels, but the tracks are all on one level, and it is a terminal (dead end) station. So, you get off your train from the airport, head to the front of the train, look for a departures monitor (not an arrivals monitor - be careful not to use the wrong one), find your next train, and go to that track.
When looking for your next train, remember that Varenna is an intermediate stop, not the final stop. So, it's better to find your train by departure time and train number; the final stop is prominently posted, but the intermediate stops are not.
I'd say 15 minutes should be fine, but if anyone has mobility impairment or if you want to buy a snack, use the toilet, etc, allow more time.
There are videos on YouTube of the station - they should give you a good idea of what to expect.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32401 posts
The trip from MXP to Milano Centrale is "officially" 52 minutes as I recall. Note that there are two versions of the Malpensa Express departing the airport, one going to Centrale and one going to Cadorna. Be sure to board the correct train and DON'T forget to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train or you'll risk hefty fines!
You'll arrive on Track (Binario) 1 or 2 at Milano Centrale and you'll have to walk from there into the main hall to find your next train. If you buy your tickets for Varenna at the airport, check the large Partenze charts to find details on your next train, and then check the large departures board to find out which track it's on. Again, don't forget to validate your tickets prior to boarding the train.
The trip to Varenna is 1H:03M and you'll need to be ready to disembark promptly as the train doesn't stop long. Sit on the left when facing forward for best views of the lake.