Overnight Train or Fly to Paris from Milano

I have no personal experience in Milan train station but I would imagine if you stay in the main areas you should be fine.

The other consideration is some folks don't sleep well on trains - me - I love them!

There is a train that connects Milano Centrale & other area train stations to Malpensa

Fly, absolutely.
I have taken overnight trains several times, both to and from Italy, and it's my opinion that they are uncomfortable, noisy, and stuffy. Unless you can reserve a private room for the two of you, you will be sleeping with strangers and may get stuck with an upper berth. Some people think this is an adventure (my husband) - personally it's my idea of misery! Get yourself a reservation on Easyjet and whisk yourself to Paris...so much less of a hassle and possibly cheaper as well depending on your luggage situation.
Since you plan to arrive in Milan in the evening, you may want to consider spending the night near the airport and flying to Paris in the morning. Otherwise, you may land in Paris in the wee hours of the night (it's not a long flight) and be exhausted the next day.

I have always felt safe in the Milan station, even after dark. However, my very strong suggestion would be to fly. Do check the airports carefully; I've flown that route on Ryan Air and they use Bergamo airport, which is outside of Milan. I'm not sure what EasyJet uses.

If you're flying into CDG, there is an Ibis hotel in walking distance from the airport (just outside a terminal, maybe one-half block). I've stayed there and then happy with it.

I've been through Milano Centrale at mid-day several times, including last year, and never felt any concern. I've also never been worried about catching night trains in other cities. While trains are running, there are usually plenty of people around - safety in numbers. Odd hangers-around will typically be pickpockets, for whom you can plan.

Flying is a logical choice, and may be cheaper. The price for both train tickets and flights is like to be better the sooner you reserve. Getting from Milano Centrale station to the Malpensa airport is easy by shuttle train or bus (allow 1 hour) and to Linate is a half-hour by bus from the east side of the station, Piazza Principe di Savoia; both options well described at the end of Rick's Milan chapter.

I agree with Anita - fly. We took an overnight train Venice-Paris last summer. Hot, stuffy, a/c broke down several times, we had a double berth but still so stuffy and uncomfortable. It's not an adventure, just pure misery and the dining car is a joke. No sleep at all.

I have to say - my husband & I have taken many night trains. I am selective though - we always get a private compartment with ensuite. The trains we have been on we have enjoyed the dinner & breakfast which is generally included with the ticket. If the route does not offer a train with those facilities I will go a different way

Unless you have a specific reason to go to Milan other than the train, why not fly to Paris from Pisa.

The train bus combo will have you at the airport in under 2 hours. I figured travel time form Monterosso. Easyjet flies into Orly.

11pm isn't really late, and I've been at Milano Centrale at all hours, it's safe. But, I would fly that distance.

Fly from Pisa or Genoa to Paris.
Both Pisa and Genoa are closer to Monterosso than Milan.
The train option is much longer and more expensive.

Roberto's right about Pisa to Paris-Orly via EasyJet.com. They also fly from Milan-Linate to Paris-Orly.

Just pack light--one carry on bag.

Thank you so much everyone - I'ts Pisa to Paris for us!

charlene,

I agree with the others that using a budget airline on that route will be the quickest travel method, although it will still be about a 6-7 hour travel day. This is the travel route you'll be following......

• Cinque Terre to Pisa Centrale via train (probably one or two changes - which of the five towns are you staying in?).
• Pisa Centrale to the airport via Bus (the rail link to the airport is being upgraded).
• EasyJet from PSA to ORY (flight is ~1H:40M - most flights seem to depart at 15:10 but on some days they also have morning and evening flights).
• OrlyVal train and then RER "B" from ORY into Paris.

When booking with EasyJet or other budget airlines, you'll get better prices by booking early. Be sure to read their Terms & Conditions, especially related to luggage rules. Note that EasyJet usually allows ONE carry-on item per passenger, and they DO enforce that. Also, EasyJet has adopted an automated check-in process, so passengers can print their boarding pass up to a month prior to the flight. There's no check-in at many airports, just a bag drop.

For travel from ORY into Paris, there are a couple of different methods (details in the Guidebook). I've found that the OrlyVal automated train and then RER "B" is fairly easy. Once you arrive in central Paris, transfer to the Metro to reach the area of your hotel (which part of Paris are you staying in?).

Thank you for all of the valuable information! We have decided to take the train from CT on Apr 30th as this will allow us to explore Pisa for an afternoon as well as get an early flight to Paris on May 1. We haven't yet decided where in CT we are staying. Riomaggiore has been recommended to me - any recommendations for favorite town/place to stay in CT? Also, as we will be spending one night in Pisa - any recommendations for a place to stay there?

In Paris, we will be staying in the 4th Arrondissement near the Saint Paul Metro.

Thanks again for all of your help - I don't feel quite so overwhelmed now.
Best,
Charlene