I'll be arriving at Linate at 6:30 pm (after a long flight from Portland, OR) and know I can take the 9:30 pm train to Varenna. I've tried to allow myself time for clearing customs and getting a bite to eat. Is there a better choice? Car service? Should I stay that night in Milan?
Suggestions?
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Milan to Varenna is a regional train, i.e. no reservations and no discount for advance purchase (fare €6.70). So no need to buy these tickets in advance.
Except, when I checked on Trenitalia, it is showing the last train of the day as 21:20 from Milano Centrale. If you miss that you are stuck in Milan until 06:20 the following day.
19:20 depart Milano Centrale, 20:23 arrive Varenna-Esino
20:20 depart Milano Centrale, 21:23 arrive Varenna-Esino
21:20 depart Milano Centrale, 22:35 arrive Varenna-Esino
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14963 posts
Clearing customs just takes seconds to walk thru a door marked Nothing to Declare.
Immigration takes longer but will you have landed in a European hub before you get to Linate? Like Amsterdam, maybe? If so...that is where you'll go thru Immigration which takes longer. If it is Amsterdam, they are usually pretty efficient at getting you thru and on to your departing flight. I'm guessing here based on your landing at Linate which is usually the airport for planes flying within Europe. Most of the international flights I've looked at from Milan go out of the other airport. The good news is that Linate is closer to Milan so a shorter taxi/bus in to the train station.
I would probably pick up a sandwich in the Milano Termini station and eat it on the train.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Yes, Pam, I will land in Heathrow and then on to Linate.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
whohowe, you said "I will land in Heathrow and then on to Linate.". Does that mean you are flying from somewhere else, and changing planes at Heathrow?
If you are coming from London Heathrow, you will go through immigration (passport control) at Milan Linate. Because the UK is not in the Schengen Area. This will add some time (10-60 minutes at most airports). Immigration is before baggage pick-up
If you are flying XXX - Heathrow - Linate on one ticket, you will not go through immigration at Heathrow, you will instead stay "airside" and not legally enter the UK. You bags will (if this is one ticket) be labelled through to Linate, you will not see them at Heathrow. After baggage pick-up your bags will go through customs, but this is nominal, 95%+ of passengers do not get stopped, just walk through.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Yes, Chris, I am flying from Portland, OR, to Heathrow and then on to Linate. According to what you are saying, I will go through customs and immigration at Linate. And yes, it is actually the 9:20 train to Varenna. Sounds like making the last train may just be too risky?
Posted by
OP
8 posts
I should also add I will only have carry on luggage.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
If it was me, I'd be dog-tired after that and just want to crash at a hotel near Centrale station and get up the next morning somewhat refreshed. It is a 9 hour time difference going the hard way, west to east. Several good hotels near the station, like the Berna or the Garda.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12044 posts
Should I stay that night in Milan?
YES
I did SEA-MXP via LHR and arrived in Milan about the same time you will be arriving.
I am HAPPY I chose to spend the night in Milan and go to Varenna the next day. And that was after having FF miles biz class ticket. Had I been in coach.... UGH