Milan Airport to Cinque Terre

Hello Kristen,
First you did not specify if you were flying into Malpensa or Linate airports...but most people fly into Malpensa so I will assume that is the one you need...You will need to take the Airport express to Milan Centrale (40 minutes approximately). As a courtesy I have pasted this section from our Italy guidebook:

The Malpensa Express train is usually the most sensible way to travel (not covered by rail passes, tel. 800-500-005, www.malpensaexpress.it). Trains leave from an underground station at Terminal 2; buy your ticket from a kiosk in the arrivals hall, or from Trenord ticket machines in the baggage claim hall (credit cards accepted). A big electric board on the wall shows the next departure times. There are two lines: Malpensa-Milano Cadorna and Malpensa-Milano Centrale. Validate your ticket in the little machines, and double-check to make sure your train is going to the destination you want.

Once at Milan Centrale, you can buy tickets to Monterosso at a kiosk or ticket window. (If you have a rail pass you must activate it at a ticket window, then ask if you need to reserve seats for your train, some require reservations). Once you have your tickets, check the departures screen for your train, find the platform and choose a mid-point or so to wait for the train. If you have a train change, you can ask the conductor if he/she knows to which platform your next train will be coming.

I don't recommend booking these train tickets ahead, as you never know if your flight will be on time and how long it will take you to get through customs and get to the Milano centrale station. There are some direct trains from Milan to Monterosso, others involve a train change in Genoa or another town. You can use the Italian National rail website for looking up schedules and routes - www.trenitalia.com

Buona Fortuna!

Some corrections to what Sara wrote above.

The train station at the Malpensa airport is across terminal 1, not terminal 2 which is the one used by Easyjet.

You can buy tickets all the way to Monterosso at the airport station.

kristen,

Some additional information to add, and some questions (you did ask for "very specific").....

• As Sara mentioned, it would be helpful to know if you're arriving at Malpensa or Linate? If arriving at Malpensa, are you arriving at Terminal 1 from the U.S. or Terminal 2 from another place in Europe?
• As Roberto mentioned, the rail station is at Malpensa Terminal 1. Terminal 2 does not have any rail service (but does have the Malpensa Shuttle coach service). You can buy tickets for both legs of your trip at the airport station. You'll need two tickets. I'd suggest checking the Trenitalia website to determine the best train to use according to your flight arrival time, from Milan to Monterosso (there are a few direct trains each day, and others with changes).
• As shown in the excerpt posted in the first reply, the Malpensa Express has two destinations, Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna. You'll need to go to Milano Centrale (the trip is about 52 minutes). DON'T forget to validate your ticket prior to boarding the M.E. or you'll face hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
• When you arrive at Milano Centrale, check the electronic board for the departure track (Binario) of the train to Monterosso. It may not be shown until about half an hour before departure.
• NOTE that some of the trains from Milan to Monterosso may be "premium" trains such as InterCity or Freccia which require compulsory reservations (the reservation will be included with your ticket). If that's the case, you MUST board ONLY the train specified on your ticket, or again hefty fines! If any are Regionale trains, you MUST validate the tickets prior to boarding the train, or again (you guessed it), fines.
• On the trains with compulsory reservations, you'll be assigned a Car No. (Carrozza) and a Seat No. (Posti), which will be specified on your ticket. You must sit in the assigned seats.
• One caveat to mention....

Once at Milan Centrale, you can buy tickets to Monterosso at the ticket window.

While that's true, the reality is that there are often LONG queues at the ticket windows at Milano Centrale, so be prepared to wait. It's much easier to use the ticket Kiosks which are located both at track level and adjacent to the ticket office. There's usually not much of a wait at the Kiosks. If you decide to use the ticket office, it's two floors down from track level (on the ground floor) via "moving sidewalks".
- You might want to obtain some Euro cash for travelling. For example, the WC's at Milano Centrale are pay-per-use, so you'll need coins (they're located one floor down from track level as I recall). Also, the ticket Kiosks next to the ticket office will take cash as well as credit cards (I know that, as I was there a few weeks ago). The Kiosks at track level only take credit cards AFAIK.
- At Milano Centrale, I noticed an increased police presence when I was there a few weeks ago, but it would still be prudent to be vigilant for pickpockets and scammers.
- Do you need information about your arrival in Montrerosso?

Thank you all so much. We are flying from the US into Malpensa. Our flight gets in around 10am. I really wanted to head directly to CT but reading your responses, it sounds exhausting. We have two flights to get to Italy with a 12 and 16 year old. Do you think we should spend the day/night in Milan or is continuing on really not as hectic as it sounds? This time, we are only spending a few days in Italy before heading elsewhere. We were in Rome, Venice and Lago Garda last year and I really want this trip to measure up to that amazing experience. Sorry so wordy....stay in Milan or just get to our destination?

To add to Ken's advice, there are some track-level kiosks that take cash, they have euro notes and coins pictured on the front near the top of the machine.

If you do decide to spend the night in Milano, there are dozens of good hotels near the station. Your teens might like taking the metro to the Duomo and riding the elevator to the roof.

Kristen,

Traveling with kids is exhausting as it is. I am 62 and managed the flight from JFK to MXP, then the trains directly to Vernazza, but yes I was exhausted but got my wind back quickly. After a brief rest I was up and about for dinner. So it is doable. It is about 50 minutes on the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale and about 3.5 hours from Milano Centrale to Vernazza, plus allow for time waiting for trains and getting through passport control,etc, if my memory serves me. It makes for a very long day, but it is done and you are there.

If you decide to stay in Milan there are several hotels a very short distance from Milano Centrale Train station. I have used Hotel Garda and it is fine and inexpensive and others have use Hotel Garda. Both are roughly a 5 minute walk from Milano Centrale.

Kristen, In 2010 our family (2 "kids" are young adults) flew into MXP from SEA, arriving, I think, about 11:00. We hoped to catch the non-stop 14:15 train to Monterosso rather than have to change trains while we were groggy. I couldn't believe it but it worked out perfectly.
We took the shuttle as suggested above, bought the train tickets and were waiting with 1/2 hour to spare. Admittedly, your flight could be delayed but sometimes timing works out perfectly. (I use the Deutsch Bahn to get all train schedules and connections but of course fares are not shown when the journey doesn't include Germany.)

Kristen,

I'd suggest pressing on and going directly to Monterosso. It may sound complicated, but it's not really that difficult, especially if you're able to connect with one of the direct trains. You're going to be tired and jet lagged, and it's not likely you'll have the energy or enthusiasm to do much / any touring. Monterosso is a much better location for jet lag recovery (IMHO).

By the time you deplane, get through Passport control, collect your luggage and get to the airport rail station, it's probably going to be close to 11:00 (subject to conditions at the time of course). The trip into Milano Centrale will take another hour. You'll probably be hungry by that time as the snacks they serve on the planes just before landing aren't really too substantial. If you want a "taste of home", there are both McDonalds and Burger King at Milano Centrale. A better option for a sit-down meal is the Roadhouse Grill, which is on the mezzanine above track level. Have a relaxing lunch and enjoy the fact that you're in Italy!

Your best bet for a direct train to Monterosso is the 14:05 departure, which should fit well with the scenario presented above. That's an InterCity train so will have compulsory reservations, which will be included with the tickets you buy. Although the train stops numerous times, it's a relaxing trip and you won't have to worry about changes in a jet-lagged state (which may be a challenge unless you're familiar with changes). The train arrives in Monterosso at 17:04, and after checking into your hotel you'll be able to enjoy a fine hot meal overlooking the ocean. I can suggest restaurants if you're interested.

When is this trip taking place??? Keep in mind that the rail information I've mentioned is subject to change (however, it likely won't change much).

Ok so we will definitely continue on to Monterosso. We aren't going until next summer but I like to plan a little bit each month. Our last European trip I purchased all tickets well in advance but it sounds like it really isn't necessary or wise depending on delays. I just am worried about trains being full and not getting seats. Thanks again to all for the abundance of knowledge and help!

The probability of any train being full with no seats is close to zero unless it a special weekend or an event somewhere but trains are frequent enough that you just take the next one. The probability of all trains that day being full is zero. Regionale train never sell out because there are no reservations. Just get on and find a seat or stand until someone gets off at the next stop.

Just to clarify some earlier comments from Sara. A mag strip, US credit card will only be accepted at the older ticketing machines. Those machines are being replaced with newer machines that only take the European style chip and pin cards. So you cannot depend on your credit card being accepted at a ticket machine. Once your are at the train station in the airport, buy all your tickets so you do not have to use the ticketing facilities in Centrale. It will be much faster since all you will have to do is change platforms. There is grocery store in the trains so you can buy some snacks for your trip.

Second, all trains in Italy except the Regionale trains require a seat reservation that is included with the price of your tickets. If you are using a rail pass then you will need a seat reservation for each leg of your trip that does NOT travel on a Regionale train.

Kristen,

One other suggestion......

Especially for travel in the summer "high season", it would be a really good idea to get your hotel booking in Monterosso well in advance of your trip. I like to stay in a particular hotel there, and usually start booking in February for travel in September. Even with that much lead time, I sometimes have problems finding a vacancy.

Do you have any idea which Monterosso hotel you want to stay in? The Italy guidebook has lots of good suggestions.

BTW, I usually have a minimum of three flights to get to Europe so I know how tiring that is.

I'm printing out all responses and highlighting key facts so I will remember all of these valuable insights! Thank you all! I've already booked our 3 nights at Porto Roca hotel. I believe it says they have service to pick us up at train station but just in case, is it easy to get to? After CT we are off to Lago Maggiore for a few nights...then to Switzerland/ Germany for a week to visit our former exchange student...ending our trip in Paris for 3 nights. Tired just thinking of this but so excited!

I want to amend what Frank said about the trains not filling up. I always travel second class on trains. I arrived at Malpensa at around 12:15, cleared passport control and customs and was on a train bound for Milano Centrale by 14:00, arrived by about 15:00, in time to catch the 16:05 train which arrived in Vernazza at 19:25. However, the 16:05 train 2nd class was filled. I really did not want to go on a later train. 1st class was only 12 euro more, so I grabbed that instead. Thankfully I did travel 1st class as at some point mid trip I took a walk up and down the train and the second class cars were just filled with wonderfully happy and boisterous hormonal 14 - 16 years olds, I mean every single seat, and some very tired looking teachers. So it is possible for 2nd class to fill up, 1st class rarely.

Kristen,

Hotel Porto Roca is at the far end of the old town, and it's fairly easy to reach although a short walk will be required. It's accessed by a paved path that runs along the edge of a cliff, so the Taxi will only be able to bring you as far as the start of that path. I've never stayed there, but it looks very posh and I'm sure you'll be very comfortable. One of the minor advantages of their location, is that insulates guests from the crowds and noise of the trains to some extent.

They have a beautiful new swimming pool (which is near the entrance to the trail to Vernazza) that was only completed in the last year or two. The views from their patio are incredible! Once you check-in and have an opportunity to sit on the hotel patio with a "welcome to the Cinque Terre" glass of Prosecco, you may wish you had booked more time!!!

If you need restaurant information for Monterosso, post another note.