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Question about wifi access locations

Hi - Just one week til we leave and I'm getting excited (and nervous!). Our first challenge will be getting the train from the airport in Milan to Cinque Terre (Vernazza). The innkeeper asked that we let them know when we'll be arriving. First, I'm really not sure on timing, since I guess it depends on customs, etc. how quickly we find the ticket booth and buy our tickets and then change trains in Milano Centrale.

Second, I'm trying to figure out how to let them know when we think we'll be there. I won't have a phone, but will have my ipad. Is there somewhere in the airport or train station that has free wifi access so I can email the innkeeper? How is this usually done?

Thanks!!!
Theresa

Posted by
1064 posts

Don't train stations in Italy still have pay phones? I had to use one at the main station in Florence to call my hotel/B&B seven years ago.

Posted by
145 posts

I have no idea about pay phones, not having been there before, which is why I thought that wifi/email would be best. Am I wrong?

Posted by
19657 posts

This is maybe not the best way, but it was how I did it. I went to the McDonalds in Centrale and got an Egg McMuffin and a coffee (they're cheaper there than in the states go figure). The receipt will have an access code that you can log in to the wifi. Still a bit of a pain because you have to enter your passport number.

Posted by
1064 posts

Theresa,
My question was directed at more recent travelers to Italy. If the stations still have pay phones, that would be a good solution to your problem, as it was to mine.

Posted by
15681 posts

There are also free wifi spots all over Milan and can be accessed by registering with this site:

http://info.openwifimilano.it/en/index.aspx

Centrale is in Area 2 on their map, and clicking on that will bring up the spots around Centrale where free wifi can be accessed.

Posted by
145 posts

Just checked it out - It looks like it's only for mobile phones? Kathy - have you ever accessed it with an ipad?

Posted by
715 posts

Theresa,

In the past I just let them know when my flight was landing in Milan, and that I was hoping to catch one particular train, or the next one, and if I was successful I should arrive in Vernazza around such and such a time. They were amenable to that. Usually they want to know because this are rooms to let, not hotels, so they may say, ok, if it is after 20:00 then please go to such and such a place to find us and we will ck you in.

Posted by
16893 posts

My experience has generally been like jkc described. Of course, if you're running really late, that could be a reason to find a pay phone. Places have already taken a credit card number or deposit to confirm the booking will be less concerned about it than those who have not.

Posted by
15681 posts

Theresa, you have to register a mobile device that doesn't have a phone number at an ATM point:

"If you don't have a mobile phone number you shall go to an ATM Point to register at OpenWifiMilano. ATM Point is the customer service office of Milan's transport company. You can find ATM Points in the underground (metro) stations of Duomo, Cadorna, Centrale, Loreto, Romolo, Garibaldi."

The Milan Centrale metro station is under Centrale train station.

I'd probably go with some of the other suggestions if those will be easier! There is wifi at Malpensa but the free service is slow, and it may be difficult to judge your arrival time from that distance:

http://www.milanomalpensa-airport.com/en/services/digital-services/wifi

Posted by
500 posts

Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Italo trains have free wifi, mostly working if you do not need big downloads, but in order to register you need an Italian cell phone (number beginning with +39).

Posted by
19657 posts

Going to Vernazza, the OP will likely take the IC train. When all is said and done, it might just be easier to pick up a phone card at a tabacchi and call from a pay phone. I would give them a time you expect to arrive based on the 12:10 IC train with the proviso that you will call them only if there is a change. That connection will arrive at 3:26 pm, so you will probably be at your room at 4 pm.

Posted by
32523 posts

On .Italo trains the first hour of use does not require registering at all, beyond the first hour it will send a message to any email now. The Italian phone is not required. I have used my British iPhone successfully and my Samsung Tab.

I haven't been particularly lucky with Freccia wifi.