Near as I can figure the Oct 9 strike will affect the Malpensa Express on which I have tickets. Is that a yes or is there something I don't grasp. Also I see there may be windows where things proceed, and/or buses. In any event is it a fair guess things will be a mess?
We've got an afternoon flight the next day (Oct 10) and plans were to stay by airport. I'm just wondering if we'd be better off spending the night by Milan Central and going direct to airport the next day?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16616 posts
I can't answer your question about the strike affecting the Express on the 9th or not. We have, however, stayed in central Milan the night before a mid-morning/later-morning flight from Malpensa without issue. If your flight isn't until the afternoon, you should be fine just going to the airport on the 10th.
I know it's often recommended to stay at or nearer your airport of departure the night before an international flight but that usually applies to overnights in smaller towns with fewer public transport options, or greater distances away. For instance, I'd never want to be in Sorrento with a morning flight out of Rome. But If all is running as normal on the 10th, you'd have not just the Express train but airport coach shuttles - we used one of those - at hand as well. A taxi would also be an option, albeit an expensive one.
The plus? Your last night in Italy at a much more interesting location than an airport hotel! :O)
If you haven't already, take a look at the To/From options on the Malpensa website?
https://www.milanomalpensa-airport.com/en/
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
https://www.trenord.it/news/trenord-informa/avvisi/sciopero-9-ottobre-2023/
Check the last portion where it states:
"The Milan Cadorna/Milano Centrale/Milan Porta Garibaldi - Malpensa Airport and S50 Malpensa Airport - Bellinzona airport connections will also be affected.
In the event of trains not running, for airport connections only, replacement buses will be set up without intermediate stops: between Milan Cadorna and Malpensa Airport (from Milan Cadorna they will depart from via Paleocapa 1); between Busto Arsizio FS and Malpensa Airport for the S50 line."
Also note at the top:
"The guarantee periods 6:00-9:00 and 18:00-21:00 will be active.
We emphasize that trains, circulating exclusively on the FerrovieNord lines, with scheduled departure from the station of origin by 9:00, will still arrive at their final destination; in the afternoon, trains will arrive at their final destination with scheduled departure from the station of origin until 9.00 pm."
Therefore you can reach the airport by train for sure if you go between 6am and 9am, or between 6pm and 9pm. And outside of those guaranteed windows buses will be operating. If your flight is in the afternoon the next day and prefer to stay in Milan the last night, that will also work. The train journey is about 35 min from Milan Cadorna station and about 55 min from Milan Centrale station.
Posted by
Chicago
662 posts
As Roberto notes, the time periods of morning and evening rush will have service. I believe
that Italian law forbids those periods from being affected by strikes.
Also, it is possible that even 3 days out, the strike activity will be called off or rescheduled.
If the strike is on the 9th and your flight is on the 10th, there should be no issues. If you had
an early morning flight, maybe going to MXP the night before would be advisable, but no
worries for an afternoon flight.
You say you have tickets in hand for Malpensa Express. I would check at Centrale and most
likely they will rebook you.