Milan to Venice? What is the best way? Any opinions? Anyone miss a train?

My experience is that it is very easy to get a train ticket once you get to Milan. It is a big hub, there are trains everywhere frequently, and not hard to figure out.

If I miss my train am I able to get on the very next one? It depends on the type of train and the type of ticket. More flexibility = higher price Lower price = less or no flexibility, or a lower grade train which stops more, is less comfortable, and/or is slower. Anyone miss a train? I haven't, not in Italy, but probably many have over the years.

It really depends on the ticket but you cannot just simply hop on the next available train unless it's a regional train where there is no seat reservations. If you buy any type of ticket on a train with reserved seats at a specific time and you miss that train you cannot simply hop on the next one. You must go to the ticket counter to see if they can change your ticket. If it's a mini fare it will be worthless if you miss the train. Think of train tickets (for higher speed trains) like airline tickets. It is for a specific train on a specific day. If you are unsure of your travel plans don't buy tickets in advance. Donna

If you are a gambler, you can save some $$$$. I did this a couple of weeks ago (with the train strike going on). I made my train with time to spare. If you are risk averse, just buy your ticket at the kiosk.

We were in Italy first 2 weeks in May and did all our travels by train. Milan to CT to Siena, Florence to Venice and Venice back to Milan. Never bought train tickets in advance. Never had a problem with space. I never checked what the mini fares were so I don't know how much I could have saved. Although we kept to our planned schedule pretty much, I liked the flexiblity.

All trains in Italy except for Regional trains require a seat reservation. If you have a non-discount ticket and miss a train, you have 60 minutes to exchange it for a ticket for the next train. It a discounted ticket and you miss the train, you now have a new book marker. For the Regional trains it makes no different. But you must validate the ticket in the yellow box prior to getting on the train and it is good for 24 hours to that city.

Buy the train ticket once you are in Italy and know your schedule. Buon viaggio,

Buy them when you feel the most confident. If that's online before your trip then you should do it. If it's when you get to Italy then do it then. If your travel dates are set there is no real reason not to book ahead and save some money. Donna

If you are arriving in Milan on a flight from the US and are wondering if you should purchase the train ticket in advance, then I would say no. Wait until you arrive in Italy. there is a fast train that leaves Milano Centrale almost every 30 minutes to Venice most of the day.

Ron Thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for too in answer. What train did you take to Venice? Did you stay at a place you loved? Grazie!
Monique of Seattle

I don't remember precise trains because of taking so many. My last one, from the Milan area to Venice was, I think about 1420 or 1430 from Vicenza to Venezia Santa Lucia last spring. For our 30th anniversary trip we wanted Canale Grande so we stayed at Ca'Angeli and loved both the small room and the suite. We usually stay in Dorsoduro, often with Centro Culturale Don Orione Artigianelli, or we stay near Venice in the Veneto in Quarto d'Altino.