Hello- Family of 4 arriving MPX at 10:15 am from Montreal in a couple of weeks, no checked bags. We will take the Malpensa express to Milano Centrale and catch train to Venice. Can anyone give me an idea of what time would be reasonable to book the train to Venice? I know that the Malpensa express takes about 50 min. Would 13:45 seem reasonable? Do I even need to buy these tickets in advance or should I just buy on arrival?( I have bought several other tix already because I wanted to make sure to get the bimbi gratis fare and was looking for specific times) Thank you!
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Are you arriving close to April 25 and May 1?
Otherwise I wouldn't get tickets in advance: even Trenitalia's full price "Base" tickets are wasted one hour after the departure of the booked train. You have two hours with Italotreno, but flights can be delayed for more than that.
The airport trains can't sell out.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7467 posts
Get the app
Purchase tickets once you clear immigration
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
You have three options:
Buy tickets using a phone app after you've landed and cleared immigration, on the next direct/fast trains from Milano Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia. This will be the most expensive option, since the fast trains usually become expensive at the last minute (check ticket prices right now for tomorrow to see sample prices). This could add up for a family of four.
Buy tickets using a phone app on REGIONAL trains that leave Milano Centrale but require a connection to get to Venice. (Or if there is enough time at Milano Centrale, you can buy them at the station, but BE SURE to validate paper tickets for regional trains before you board them!) Regional trains will take an extra hour (though depending on departure time from Milan, it may not get you to Venice later...since it's possible the next regional train leaving Milan leaves earlier than the next fast, direct train). The regional trains, unlike the fast trains, can't sell out and also cost the same at the last minute as buying in advance. So there is no advantage in buying regional train tickets much in advance. They can also get crowded (sometimes no seats). It really depends on the timing. The fast trains are surely more comfortable, unless a regional train is empty and there's room to spread out.
Buy tickets ASAP for the next fast train you guess would give you enough connection time at Milano Centrale, if your flight arrives on time and there's no delay at immigration. Since the fast trains are usually much cheaper in advance, this could save you quite a lot of money for a family of four...but you do take the risk that your flight may arrive late and you will lose your tickets.
You could do both the last two options: take a chance you will not be late flying into Milan and buy the fast train tickets now for the savings...but if you are late and miss the train you've booked, then take regional trains instead instead of taking the (now very expensive last minute) fast train to Venice.
Try sites like TheTrainLine.com to see train options for both Trenitalia and Italo trains.
Posted by
Green Bay
21573 posts
Italotreno does not have anything between 12:35 and 18:35 going to Venice.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I ended up waiting until arrival at MPX to buy the tix. Passport control was easy and fast via the automated kiosks. We got a regional train with 1 stop and it worked out fine. Freccias were sold out.
Also- I had been wondering how far in advance one needed to arrive at MPX for the return. This am we took a 8:55 Malpensa Express from Milano Centrale arriving MPX around 9:50 for a 11:50 am flight. Security was only about 10 min max, and passport control another 5-7 min via kiosk. We had plenty of time so 2hrs ahead seems plenty at this time of day. ( Currently sitting on plane, 2.5 hrs delayed though…)