Milan train station

Just say no.

Why would you need help finding the train? Do you need help finding the gate at the airport? It is the same. This station is no different than any other station. And the procedure is the same. Know the train number and departure time. Write it on the palm of your hand if you need a reminder. Get off the train, walk to the head of the platform. Check the departure board. Since departures often are not posted until about 15 to 30 min prior to departure, it might not be on the board. So sit down on a bench within insight of the board and wait. When the platform is posted, go to the platform. It is pretty simple.

As for the theft of the cell phone. Where was the cell phone? Why did he have it out? If your valuables are secured, then you don't have to worry about helpful strangers who are often just that - helpful strangers.

Don't be scared.

Milan central station is a large railroad terminal. Like all major trasportation hubs it tends to get crowded, which makes very attractive for picpocktes and all sort of scums.

For your information, all tracks are stub and numbered 1 through 22. Trains from Switzerland usually arrive and depart from track 2 through 4, i.e. the west side of the shed. Trains to Venice (and eastbound trains in general) depart from tracks 10 through 15. Riviera -bound ones depart from the east side of the shed (track 17, 18).

There is no need to help to find a train. Just walk to the head of the tracks and look at the large electronic tables, where departures for the next 60 minutes are shown. Your train will be on the list already. If the track number is missing, don't worry: the dispatcher has yet to update the table.

Thank you. That was very helpful. Living out west I am not familiar with train stations. The Denver train station has one passenger train that comes in and leaves going east to Chicago and west to San Francisco. Hard to miss it unless you get stuck in traffic.
Lynn

Well, if you miss your train you can catch the next one. Service from Milan to Venice is pretty good (usually a train every hour or so).

Milan to Switzerland usually every two hours.

....Well, if you miss your train you can catch the next one....... Careful, that is not really accurate. If it is a Regionale train tickets (no reserved seats) then you could catch next one. However, all of the other trains require a seat reservation and you cannot just get on the next train if you miss it. If you miss it because the first train was late, then you can get a new seat reservation at a ticket window for the next train. However, if you just miss it because of your own negligence, then you will have to purchase a new ticket for the next train. Once the train leaves the station and you are not on it, the ticket is dead.

yup....you can do this. just an fyi....you need one euro in coin or coins to use the rest room......its relatively clean, but they are down stairs and it seems like about 2 blocks away. with 50 minutes, you would have plenty of time, but I just wanted you to be aware of the sclep and coinage factors.

I appreciate your input thanks. The advice about the location of the W.C. is helpful as well. Not sure what the circumstances of the stolen item; he and his wife are still in Italy and posted the comment on his Facebook page with no details.
Lynn

You'll be fine with 7 minutes between trains. Enough to walk out your train down the track area to the main board. Look for your train number (if you have your ticket already) and get the track of that train. Then walk to that track and get on the train. With 50 minute in Milan you can buy something from the stores on one of the levels

If your first train is so late that you miss your connection, go to the Customer Care window and not the regular line.