Doing Milan Quick

Probably best to take the bus to the Centrale station if your train for Vernazza leaves from the Centrale Station. And probably quicker than the Express train and the metro to the CS. The Doma is about two stops south of the station on the metro which just in front down the stairs from the train station. It has been a few years since we were there so don't know the situation for left luggage. Also you time will be short.

If you can manage an arrival in Vernazza between 5:30 and 6:00, you could depart from Milano Centrale at 14:00 to arrive in theory at 17:34.

If you really have to be there before 17:00 then you will need to catch the 12:05 train and arrive at 15:27

As I recall it takes about an hour to get to Milano Centrale from Malpensa, so you might be able to get in town by 10:30 or so. That would only give you 1 and 1/2 hours to leave luggage, get to the Duomo and get back and collect luggage and board your train.

Factor in that that's after a transatlantic flight probably. Might be able to pull it off, but I'd push for a later arrival in Vernazza.

"If you really have to be there before 17:00 then you will need to catch the 12:05 train and arrive at 15:27"

John: If the reason you really have to be in the CT by 5pm is because you're staying at a family-run accommodation where they have told/requested you to be there not later than 5pm, then those smaller family-run places usually mean it when they say that.

These are not like hotels here, or bigger hotels in Europe, where they have someone at reception to check you in pretty much whenever you show up.

As Kent has mentioned, some of these spots do not have anyone on site all the time and they may leave to go home by 17:00. Home for them might not be in Vernazza.

Miss the 12:05 and there isn't another train thanks get you there in time.

You hit the nail on the head Kent, about why I want to be in Vernazza at 17:00. It sounds like if I land at 9AM and need to be on the noon train that I won't have any time for Milan. I figure with messing around at the airport we're not leaving there until 10 which means that I won't be in Milan until 11. We're young and spry, but is it reasonable to try this? Also the place we're staying in Vernazza is Albergo Barbara. They indicated they wanted me there by 17:00 but also mentioned I could call if I was coming later. Do people think they'd be ok with a 17:34 arrival?

They are the only ones that can tell you if they will be there at 18:00. And i would use 18:00 as a time, trains can and do run late.

So fax, call, or email and ask. If they say no, then catch the 12:05 and have a drink in Vernazza. If they say ok, then go for it.

If they do give you the OK, before departure, call, fax, or email to remind them you'll be late. Then call from Malpensa to check again.

Italian trains are not like German trains used to be (on time to the minute): just because the arrival time on the train schedule says 17:34 doesn't mean the train will be there then, it won't be earlier but could be later. The longer the train ride, the more likely it is to be late. And add the time to get you and your luggage to where you're staying.

We are taking our first trip to Europe this fall and find ourselves in a similar situation. Our tour ends in Rome and we plan on taking a train up to Milan for a day before meeting up with our daughter. My question is where can we store our luggage during the day while we look around.

The major train station have left luggage areas. It has been awhile since I was in the Milan station and cannot recall where the storage area was but ask.

Here you go for left luggage at Milano Centrale.

http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=7c7094f498efb110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

Ron, Thanks for the link. That will help out alot.