Hi
My family of four will be going to the Milan malpensa airport terminal 1 and we are staying near the central station. We saw ticket booth selling shuttle bus tickets and were informed that it takes abt 50 min to arrive. Would it be advisable to take the bus or train? We are thinking it might be easier to take the bus with our luggage since we will not have to go up and down the train?
I have been in/out of MXP once. Used the bus. Did not have any regrets.
Bus staff load/unload bags. No idea where the train station is at MXP, but using the bus had no level changes.
As I recall the bus and train take about the same time and at the time the bus was decidedly a better price.
I think the timing might be an issue. The bus could get caught in traffic. The train not. But access to the bus might be easier and if time is not critical I would opt for the bus.
I'd take the train without a second thought. I've taken both between MXP and Milano Centrale (on my first visit, the train wasn't running to Milano Centrale yet but obviously is now). The bus I took the first time got stuck in rush hour traffic, and I don't like buses anyway, so even at the time I wished I'd taken the train (to Cadorna then) instead. A few years later, I took the then-new Malpensa Express from Centrale to Malpensa, and it was a breeze.
But if you don't mind buses - and it's a little cheaper...and you aren't in such a rush as to worry about the traffic? Then maybe the bus would be better for you.
Train.
It's so easy and quick. 35 minutes from Cadorna or 50 from Centrale, you arrive and there are ramps, everyone is traveling with luggage so it's designed for it.
Cadorna is a small station, on one level and it's really easy
A group of three couples used the train when flying out of Milan. Was a great service. Very efficient.
FP,
I've used both and I'd suggest the train as that's usually the easiest option. While the bus may also make the trip in about 50 minutes, it's dependent on traffic so may take longer. I'm not clear on your concern about "we will not have to go up and down the train"?
If you do decide to use the train, you can buy tickets right at the airport. One important point to mention though - you MUST validate (time & date stamp) them prior to boarding the train or you'll risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot! Also note that the Malpensa Express has two routes, one to Milano Centrale and one to Milano Cadorna. Be sure to board the correct train!
Thanks so much for your advice
We used the shuttle bus from Centrale and it worked really well for us. That said, our flight out was early so traffic wasn't maybe as big a consideration as if leaving later in the day.
I flew into MXP a few times. The train is the way to go. Its station is within the airport and it's very fast to get to the Centrale station...plus you see some nice countryside.
Long story short...we spent 2 weeks in Italy and flew in and out of MXP. The last few days, I actually was alone (my wife's air ticket was different than mine) and I stayed at the hotel near MXP. I actually took the train into Centrale a few times and then went to Varenna in Lake Como....and then up to Tirano in the mountains and took the Bernina Express train into Switzerland. (An awesome train ride).
The MXP train seems to always be on time and is much easier to get to. Plus it's spacious. You can spread out...not stuck in a bus.
and if the environment and cleaner air enters into your decision, the train is electric and the bus is diesel.
Thanks all for your advice
Just a question about validating the train tickets-you buy them at the airport and then where do you validate them? (I've never been, so all is new to me!) - thanks!
At Malpensa and FCo airports stations you can't miss the time-stamping machines: if you want to get to the tracks you must walk in front of them.
I remember a smiling sign at Malpensa to make people notice the machines.
In city stations they are all around, usually under the small board hanging over each platform.
