Milan Questions

Hi Matt. I think the earliest airport train is a tad too late for you. I think there would be an airport bus (leaving from outside Milano Centrale train station) that would get you there early enough. Google to find info. Could be taking a taxi at that hour is the most practical way, even if it costs a little more.

Because your flight is to Paris - a Schengen Zone flight (like a US domestic flight), you don't have to go through the same passport control you do when flying say to North America from Paris. So you need not arrive at the airport three hours early or anything.

I don't read Italian at all, but I use the Google Chrome browser to translate other languages to English automatically on websites that are in a different language.

Last Supper tickets for May are not on sale yet. We are going be be in Milan mid May and I have been checking daily. I expect them to go on sale in the next week (just a guess based on previous sales). Here is the link. In the upper left corner you can check EN to translate the sight. You might want to create an account now so you can get them ASAP. Also if you can get the 9:30 or 3:30 you can include an English tour.
https://cenacolovinciano.vivaticket.it/index.php?wms_op=cenacoloVinciano&qubsq=3ca5f3fb-3cd2-4235-a886-8907320b94e1&qubsp=0e49a9a9-9f90-4502-a982-9d9b319e4c94&qubsts=1550811105&qubsc=bestunion&qubse=vivaticketserver&qubsrt=Safetynet&qubsh=f5f3455c737ec87d746f951fc6cf1c58

As I mentioned, we are leaving EARLY Wednesday morning for Malpensa airport.....to make our 6 am flight to Paris. We absolutely cannot miss that flight.

I may be reading too much into that statement, but it sounds like you may be flying Paris to US the same day and have separate flight bookings. Please tell me I am wrong

Perhaps ask your hotel for a suggestion on travel to MXP the day of departure.. ?

I'd recommend visiting Palazzo Reale on Monday. There's a nice Messina exhibit going on in May. It's right next to the Duomo so before or after you can see the Duomo or just stroll around the piazza and then have an aperitivo at the Rinascente bar which gives you great views of the Duomo. (Rinascente is Italy's version of Saks Fifth Ave). If you're in the mood for something sweet, Marchesi in the Galleria is an elegant pastry shop that has nice views if you get the right table. There's also a Da Vinci museum in the Galleria. It has a fascinating analysis of the Last Supper painting. I really enjoyed it and it will compliment your Last Supper viewing.
For an early morning trip to the airport, you can try to arrange for your host to order a cab for you or download the Mytaxi app. There's an English version and you can order your taxi at least 24 hours in advance.
For restaurants in Navigli, the Milanese boyfriend recommends Brellin http://www.brellin.com/ and Aquasala http://www.acquasala.it/iphone/ I like Luna Rossa for a mid range priced pizza or pasta.

You may want to spend the night at the airport before you fly out. Eliminate the stress and sleep a bit later. I stayed twice in December and the per night rate wasn’t bad at the Sheridan, about a 15 minute walk to Terminal 1 and very close to the train station. You could have dinner in Milan then train to airport.
Restaurants at the hotel were good, but expensive.

Malpensa Airport is tiny, and you will not have to go thru immigration as its a part of the EU Schengen . No need to get there 3 hours early- it will not take you long to go through security. I would ask my hotel to set up a taxi- or you could hire a private driver- here are some links:

https://deluxelimoitaly.com/services/chauffeur-service/milan-chauffeur-service/

https://www.blacklane.com/en/car-service-milan

https://gettransfer.com/en

Happy Travels✨💫

A note about Last Supper tickets. The website can be fickle when purchasing tickets. The day I needed consistently displayed messages that no more tickets were available. When I called directly, I was given multiple options to reserve a time. I did this at he end of December for a reservation in March.

I had to call a few times because the call dropped on me after waiting 5 minutes on hold each time. I was finally able to connect, and from there, it was an easy process.

One of Rick's blog entries speaks to a confusing exchange with the ticket office: https://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/on-my-last-nerve-at-the-last-supper/

Good luck and don't give up on trying to get the tickets.

Update to May sales on the website
"12th March - 9,30 am: opening reservation for MAy and JUNE 2019"
https://cenacolovinciano.vivaticket.it/index.php

It looks like the first Malpensa Shuttle departs Centrale at 3:45 AM: arrives at Malpensa terminals at 4:30 and 4:35.

http://www.malpensashuttle.it/static/upload/mil/mil-mxp-in-vigore-dal-01-03-20174.pdf

We've taken this coach and it's fine: very comfortable and there shouldn't be any traffic issues at that time of the morning. Still, I'd go with Karen's advice to stay near the airport the night before for a little extra shuteye. The trip home - with a change in CDG - could be trying enough without starting the day pooped. As you have little-to-no flex to work with, being closer versus farther away can relieve some anxiety about making the flight as well. :O)

But I am having difficulty accessing and acquiring tickets through the official website (entirely in Italian) mentioned in the Rick Steves book. Maybe because its too early?

Someone already mentioned that the site will open for May shortly.

Regarding the language issue... I typically don't use Google Chrome for my browser, but the one advantage it offers is translation... So when I book on sites that don't have English options readily obvious (look for "EN" or the British flag and click on either of those to usually get to the English language version of the site), I turn to Chrome for the practically automatic translation. Also, and I hate that this sounds like a Google promo, but Google Translate is also very helpful -- when searching or booking online, emailing hotels and other vendors, or even using it on the cell phone when "talking" with folks who don't speak English any better than I speak French or Italian...

Gbrennan, the website for purchasing last supper tickets does have an English version: https://cenacolovinciano.vivaticket.it/index.php

We enjoyed a walking tour. We used Frog Walking Tour. Pay what you think it is worth. Currently there seems to be 11 am and 2 pm tours on Mondays. Also, don't give up on tours for the Last Supper. Missed booking window due to falling asleep but, kept checking the sight daily and managed to get 2 spots about 2 weeks out.