Good day, fellow travelers! I'm seeking input on connection time for trains at Milan Centrale. The ticket I am looking at has a 30 minute window between trains. That seems reasonable, although not being familiar with this station, that may not be the case. Those of you who have had connections at this station..... does this seem doable? Is the signage there good so I can find my way to the next platform? Is it ginormous and 30 minutes won't be enough time? I do have some experience with European trains in the Netherlands and France, but I know the large stations were a bit overwhelming and I would arrive with plenty of time to figure things and maneuver to the correct place. Thank you for your experienced insights into this station.
Posted by
Paris
6893 posts
The station is large but very straightforward. It is a dead-end: all the tracks are laid out side by side with the concourse at one end, so there aren't any stairs to navigate. Also, all the tracks are under the same shed, in the same area, numbered in ascending order.
With this in mind... 30 minutes gives you time for coffee!
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
The minimum connection time On Trenitalia.com is 15 minutes. Minimum means that if you pick a shorter timeframe you are not entitled to a protected connection between two Trenitalia trains.
You don't actually need signage in dead-end stations if you remain inside the tracks area: all platforms are side by side under the same roof. You can see all tracks looking from left to right. There are 24 tracks, I doubt the first and the last track are further away than 250 meters.
Track 1 is shorter than the others, but it's there.
Posted by
62 posts
I was just there, you shouldn't have a problem at all as there's good signage everywhere (except for the restrooms, that is!)...if you download the trenitalia app, it may tell you which track your train is arriving on before it's posted on the board;
Posted by
2315 posts
Just put this in your search engine and you'll get a Milano Centrale Station Map courtesy of the Swiss Railway - Page 2
information-on-milano-centrale-station-2.pdf
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
30 minutes should be more than enough time
Posted by
Pleasant Hill, CA, USA
473 posts
You have more than enough time. The Milan station is very easy to navigate. Even being large as it is.
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3046 posts
Milano Central is the most easy train station that we have been in. If you 5 min between trains, that would often be enough. 35 min is more than adequate. No stair climbing to access different platforms.
On the note of coffee above, 2 latte machiato and 2 lemon croissants = E 11.4. Try to get that in the US.
Posted by
Colorado
471 posts
Easy, easy, easy even for "old" ladies like me.