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Neophyte & her hubby narrowing down plans for June Italy trip! Seasoned travelers advise again

Posted by on

Everyone was so helpful my last post I am trying this again as I am working my way towards booking the flight but the details of my trip keep twisting us up on what flight to choose.

We now decided to see Lake Como so flying into Milan is our choice (from Dulles)
We would like to stay in Florence and RS chapter on Sienna has sold me that we should spend 2 days there and get there by bus (per his recommendation)
But now we need to fly home out of Florence again! This detail is bothering my husband so not sure how to plan this. Here is what I have worked out and PLEASE chime in with advice on whether this makes sense and/or whether this is too much and if I am scheduling this in the wrong manner.

6.18 Arrive into Milan (am)
Via trenord.it book from airport to Milan Central Station-Varenna (total time 2 hours in transit)
6.18-6.20 Lake Como area
6.20 Depart lake Como
Via trenord.it book return to Milan (1 hour)
via trenitalia book train from Milan to Florence (fast train takes 1.40)
6.20 Arrive in Florence
6.21-6.23 Florence
6.24 depart Florence by bus to Sienna (1.5 hour ride?)
6.24-6.25 Sienna
6.26 Arrive back in Florence
6.27 Leave Florence am

Thank you!

Posted by
927 posts

If you are concerned about flying into Milan and out of Florence, you can reverse the order of your trip and just fly R/T to Milan. So, rather than head to Varenna, just take the fast train to Florence as it only takes an additional 40 minutes travel time. Spend a couple of nights in Florence and then go to Siena. Once you leave Siena, head to Varenna and finish the trip there.

If you already have hotels booked and want to retain your original trip dates/locations, it is very easy to book flights into Milan and out of Florence.

Posted by
16268 posts

There are no direct non stop flights from IAD to any Milan area airports (MXP, LIN, BGY).
Since IAD is a United hub and Florence is well served by their partners at Lufthansa Group (which includes Swiss), one good choice IMO would be with the Star Alliance (United/Lufthansa/Swiss):

IAD > FRA (with Lufthansa or United) > LIN (with Lufthansa)
(LIN is closer than MXP)

Do by train what you planned.

Return trip:
FLR > FRA or MUC (with Lufthansa) > IAD (with Lufthansa or United)

You could also do the same via ZRH with a combination of United (to ZRH) then Swiss (to Milan and back from Florence).

Another option is the Sky Team Alliance (AirFrance-KLM-Delta). In this case you would go to Milan (and back from Florence) via Paris CDG or Amsterdam Schipol (AMS).

Check prices for a multi city trip from IAD to LIN, then from FLR to IAD and see who gives the best price.

Note that most European airlines have more flights to LIN (Linate) rather than Malpensa (MXP). I think only Lufthansa has flights to Malpensa now. Therefore when you do your searches put LIN instead of MXP, or at least click on the "include nearby airports" box.

Posted by
8723 posts

If you have to fly in and out of Milan then I agree with the above. Take the train immediately on arrival in Milan to Florence and finish north. We have done this sort of thing when flying in and out of Rome -- arrive in Rome and immediately head for Florence and then finish in Rome where we are flying home. That first day is miserable jet lag day anyway -- use it to get to your furthest point so that the end of the trip is not a rushed hassle.

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