My daughter and I are coming to Italy by way of Switzerland and Austria in mid May - We'd like to go to Cinque Terre region or lake region around Milan for just a couple of days but I'm unsure of train timing mostly for when we leave.
If we go to Cinque Terre can we successfully get to the airport (MIlan Malpensa) for a 4pm flight on the day we leave from Cinque Terre or would we be better off to come into Milan the night before our flight home?
Also are there places to stay recommended that are close to train stations and not outrageously expensive?
To answer the first question, yes. The regional train that runs north through the 5 towns between 8:20 to 8:35 connects at Sestri Levante and Genoa, arriving Milano Centrale at 12:50. There are trains every half hour to Malpensa which take about an hour, so worst case, you would be at the airport by 2:30 pm. There are also earlier trains. Schedule at www.trenitalia.com.
Second question, Hotel Berna is reasonably priced good hotel walking distance of Milano Centrale.
Hi, we came from the Lauterbrunnen area in Switzerland by train into Lake Maggoire and stayed in Stresa. Stresa is 2 hours by train to the Milan airport or there are shuttle options.
We really enjoyed Stresa and would love to return again. Check out photos of Isola Bella & Isola Pescatori.
Cinque Terre will be about 5 hours to the Milan airport by train.
Oh, & we stayed at Hotel Boston (odd name) in Stresa that was very close (but not too close) to the train station. It's showing on Expedia right now for $90 for a date I picked in May. We upgraded to have a balcony w/ view of the water & island.
Thank you both! This information is very helpful.
Hotel Boston is in the Cinque Terre region? I'm having trouble finding it online
I think the Poster indicated the Hotel Boston was in Stresa on Lake Maggiore which is north of Milan and not in the Cinque Terra, which is south on the Mediterranean.
You would probably enjoy Hotel Ristorante Marina. Their website is www.hotelmarina5terre.com They have nice rooms, aren't overly pricey, and have good food. Check out the lemon garden. Private baths and air conditioning make it even cozier. It is a beautiful place.
We'd like to go to Cinque Terre region or lake region around Milan for just a couple of days but I'm unsure of train timing mostly for when we leave.
If you only have a couple of days, you may choose to stay in Stresa ( Lake Maggiore) or Varenna in Lake Como instead of going all the way to the Cinque Terre.
Stresa is closer to the Malpensa Airport. You would take a train to Milan and get off at Gallarate (58mins), then a taxi to airport (5mins)
or you may take a bus from Stresa directly to the airport (1 Hr.): http://www.safduemila.com/alibus-2014-malpensa.lagomaggiore.html
If you decide to go to Varenna in Lake Como, you would take the train to Milano Centrale ( 1Hr.,3 mins) then Malpensa Express train to airport (52 mins.)
From Lugano ( Switzerland) there are trains to Milano Centrale every hour. It takes.a little less than 2 hours if I remember well. From Milano Centrale trains to Cinque terre.
