We'll be taking (for us) a somewhat complicated trip in late August/early September: Seattle to Montreal (5 days-we'll be attending a family wedding in Montreal), thence from Montreal to Rome (7 nights), thence to Siena (6 nights), then we'll return to Seattle. We can either return to Rome from Siena and fly out of therethere are some flights departing between 11 AM and 12 PM, or we can travel from Siena to Milano, a bit longer rail trip than to Rome, and fly at the now apparently scheduled 10:20 flights, the only flights other than at 6:45 AM. We realize now, with these outward bound flight constraints, that we can't plan on traveling from Siena to either city and expect to travel to Rome's FCO or Milano's Malapensa and board our Seattle flight the same day, so we'll probably choose either city, travel there from Siena and book some anonymous airport hotel to overnight so we can board the next morning flight at either 10:20 at Malapensa or between 11 and 12 at FCO. We're not sure we want to backtrack to Rome, so there is some attraction to the Milano option where we might spend a few hours in the City (the Duomo, the Galleria, etc), and try to get a late afternoon bus or train to Malapensa. (In 2000, on our first European trip, we flew to Milano from Seattle and spent just the afternoon and our flight recovery sleep, before heading off the next morning for Florence). Rome seems a bit busy to return to for just an afternoon, but its next-day flight times are more attractive.
Which city offers 1) the easier transport to the airport, and/or 2) the more convenient, decent airport- or near airport-hotels, and/or 3) the most reasonable and safe place to stash our bags for a few hours? Or should we just head directly for an airport hotel (even though there'll be nothing to see or do near either airport) when we arrive from Siena?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11745 posts
Jim:
Had to fly out of Milano last October due to restricted us of FF miles, so we left Rome early and arrived in Milano in time for a late lunch after checking in. We choose to stay in a very nice hotel a block from the Duomo and enjoyed shopping and absorbing Milan that afternoon. at 1815 we had tickets to see the Last Supper, then had a fine "last meal" near the hotel. Took a 0700 train from Cadorna to Malpensa and made that 1030 flight with no problem. (Had to take the Metro a stop or two to Cadorna Station.) Don't stay in a faceless airport hotel. Stay in the centro storico and grab one more night of Italy. See the Duomo, walk around, the Last Supper if you like. Eat a great meal! We really splurged on our hotel as a "last night" privilege, too. Really fun and a contrast to our humbler lodgings on a three week trip!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15777 posts
I agree, there's enough to see in Milan to warrant an overnight stay. Aside from the Duomo (especially wandering around the rooftop) and the Galleria, there's La Scala and Castello Sforzesco, with its museums. Then there's the peace of mind being just an hour from the airport on the day of your flight.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17344 posts
Jim-if you choose Milan, you might look at hotels near the Cadorna station instead of near the Duomo. It will make getting to the airport easier. Although there now is a train connection from Milano Centrale to Malpensa, there are still more and faster ones from Cardorna. If you stay in that area, is is a pleasant walk down Via Dante, the mostly-pedestrian street, to the Duomo.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
149 posts
Lola, and others here: We've been unable to find any "pleasant, say 3-star) recommended hotels near the Duomo that were any less than 239 Euros or were even available for 12 September. Lola suggested hereted that "...since our need is to stay overnight on 12 September and fly out to the US on the morning of 13 September] there are still more and faster ones from Cardorna. If you stay in that area, it is a pleasant walk down Via Dante, the mostly-pedestrian street, to the Duomo..." Is the walk down Via Dante to the Duomo, the Galleria, etc, within, say, 10-15 minutes or a half mile from many hotels around the Cardona Station? If so, We'd surely appreciate suggested links to hotels at which Fodor posters have happily stayed near the Cardona Station, so we can try them on for availability and rates.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15777 posts
There's a metro station at the Duomo/Galleria. The metro is very easy in Milan.
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
Delta has flights from Pisa, which would eliminate long train rides to Roma or Milano. If you decide to go to Milano there is a lot to see there. We have always liked Milano and enjoyed our time in that city. We always stay at the 4 star Hotel Berna on Via Napo Torriano 400 meters from Stazione Centrale. You could either take the new direct train service to Malpensa or the Milano Shuttle bus. Either method will deposit you at the airport in about 45 minutes. I believe the train is cheaper. When we were leaving from Milano last summer the train service had not begun. One last suggestion for Milano would be to take a passagiatta (evening stroll) in the Navigli district. The district is a former factory zone now gentrified into restaurants, clubs, bars, gelatorias, and a large flea market.