I am looking at booking a ticket from Milan to la spezia and there is a 14 minute transfer at Genova piazza Príncipe. Is this enough time? I have never been to Italy and do not know the station or the train system. Just to add more info the train leaves Milan Saturday at 7 and gets to Genova at 840 on thello. I then leave at 854 on intercity. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1246 posts
That should be plenty of time. Hopefully you won't have a lot of luggage to slow you down :)
Also, Genova has 2 stations, Stazione Principe and Stazione Brignole. Make sure you book and get off the right one!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23666 posts
The key is to know your next train number - that is the only thing that counts. Get off the train look for an announcement board - mostly electronic these days - but a few waterfall boards may be left. The board will tell you the platform number. Sometimes you might be lucky, get the train, that train leaves and your next trains pulls in next or just walk across to the other side of the platform. Not nearly as complicated or time consuming as changing planes in the US.
Posted by
Massachusetts
715 posts
Some Times it helps to be familiar. Check out you tube.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
westin,
Could you clarify if La Spezia is your end destination, or are you going somewhere else from there? Also, could you clarify your times? Are you referring to 7 am for your departure from Milan? It would also be helpful to know whether you're taking the trains after arriving on a flight into MXP?
Regarding your questions......
YES, 14 minutes is more than adequate to change trains in Genova, but don't stop for coffee. It doesn't matter whether you "know the station" as all stations are laid out in much the same way. Here are some tips on changing trains.....
- As with most cities in Europe, Genova has several stations. The train may stop at others before it reaches Genova P. Principe, so be sure you disembark at the correct station.
- Once you're on the platform, make a note of which platform you're on and then look at the electronic board to find the number of your next train (which will be listed on your tickets as "IC-xxxx"). Look at the Partenze (departures) section of the board. That will tell you which platform / track (Binario) your next train is leaving from.
- In order to get from one platform to another, you'll have to go downstairs to the Sottopassagio (tunnel). Walk along the corridor until you get to the entrance for your next platform, and then walk up the stairs.
- For travel on IC trains, you'll have compulsory seat reservations and those will specify your Carriage (Carrozza) and Seat No.'s (Posti) which is where you must sit. As the train pulls into the station, note the Carriage numbers on the side of the cars (might be on a digital display).
As you've never been to Italy and don't know the train system, that raises some red flags. There are some potentially expensive "caveats" to be aware of when using trains or other public transit in Italy. If you need more information on those, post another note here.