My husband and I will be ending a week long visit in Cinque Terra in July. We fly out of Milan about 3 days later. My husband would like to stop in France (Just because),. We are traveling by train and bus. Is this a good idea, or should we just try north of Milan to Lake Como or another quick destination?
Thanks fellow travelers!
Posted by
Minneapolis
1261 posts
Hi Madeline. This is easy to do - train to Genoa and then along the coast to Nice and French Riviera area. then when done there train to Milan. whether it is a good idea - depends on your interests / priorities. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
Milan has good connections via budget airlines to a number of destinations in France. Check the website skyscanner.com to see if anything is of interest to you.
Posted by
California 🦋
5293 posts
Madeline,
If you only have 3 days, I'd leave France for another trip.
You need to consider the fact that it would take at least 5.5 hours (via train with 2 changes) to get to Nice, France (from CT)
Since you will need to return to Milan, or somewhere nearby, a trip to France is just too rushed IMO.
You may want to visit Stresa (Lake Maggiore) which is closer to Malpensa Airport.
These are your options to get to Malpensa Airport from Stresa:
You'd take a train from Stresa to Gallarate (35 mins.) then taxi to
airport ( 10 mins.) Check the train schedule from Stresa to Gallarate here: http://www.trenitalia.comYou may also take a bus (ALIBUS) from Stresa directly to Malpensa
airport (travel time 55 minutes)
Check bus schedules here:
http://www.safduemila.com/alibus-2015-malpensa.lagomaggiore.html
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The train along the coast is not a fast one, and does require two connections from Manarola to Nice, as already indicated. From Nice to Milan, there are about 3 direct (no connection) trains per day, with also take 5 hours. Train from Manarola to Stresa or Lake Como would not be any faster, but would put you closer to the airport for the second leg.
If you were considering a flight to Paris, etc., then Pisa airport also has budget flight options. But I assume you already are booked to fly home from Milan.
Driving can be faster than some of these trains, as long as you pick up and drop the car within the same country (such as from La Spezia to Milan airport).
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thank-you all. I was concerned that we would get to Nice and then have to turn around and come back. I'll look into Stressa. Looks like we will have to come back to Europe soon!