We will be arriving in Milan Malpensa in the beginning of November and going to Genoa for a cruise. After the cruise, we will be coming back to Milan.
Assuming there is no train strike (!!), we plan to take the train back and forth. Please give advice on how to purchase the tickets.
In the event of a train strike, what alternatives do we have to get back and forth?
Thank you.
If you want to go directly from Malpensa to Genoa, buy the ticket when you arrive at Malpensa, there is a Trenitalia kiosk at the station. That way you will not be sweating if the plane is late or the passport control line is extra long. You can buy the return online at www.trenitalia.com with a "print-at-home" ticket and get a discount because you can be reasonably sure when you will dock and how long it will take to get off the boat. That website will also show you the schedules.
What do if a strike. If you hear of anything (somebody will often post here a week or so beforehand) reserve a one-way rental in advance that you can cancel without penalty.
Direct train from Milan to Genoa. We fly into Malpensa last september with the CT our first destination. Our train was via Genoa. I found out a little bit before there was going to be a strike that day for Trenitalia that affected us and searched for a van transport to take our group of 8 to the CT. Had no issue finding transporation online in short notice of 2 days. You'll know a little bit before if there is a train strike.
You can check http://www.easytravelreport.com/ and also http://www.cgsse.it/web/guest;jsessionid=3Cp8nwEV5JwvzUOuBQpOlQ__ which is The Strike Commissions Website (it's only in Italian so use google translate). Click on calendario scioperi (strike schedule) and then on elenco scioperi for a full list of strikes in Italy
