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Time to clear customs and get to train station in Milan

We will be arriving at MXP in Milan and need to get to the train station to take the train to Manarola. Our flight is scheduled to arrive at 10:25 AM. I want to purchase my train ticket now, but need to know how much time to allow for getting through customs at the airport and then to the train station. Please advise. Thank you.

Posted by
11613 posts

I would advise not purchasing the ticket in advance, in case the plane is late, unless you purchase in a price category that permits changes.

MXP is a big airport, I would plan on a couple of hours for baggage, etc., plus an hour from MXP to Milano Centrale. Malpensa Express runs about every half hour, at best, so it could take 90 minutes to get from the Express platform into the city.

Posted by
32173 posts

ksb,

Most here do not recommend pre-purchasing rail tickets to connect with an inbound flight, for the reasons mentioned above. For travel from Milan to Manarola you'll be using at least two trains, one of which will likely be a "fast" train such as a Freccia or InterCity and the other will be a Regionale. Tickets for the fast trains have compulsory seat reservations which are specific to train, date and departure time and can only be used on the ONE train printed on the ticket. If you board the wrong train for whatever reason, you'll be subject to hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!

If your flight is late and you miss the train you've booked, the ticket is worthless and you'll have to buy another at full fare. Another problem with pre-booking the rail trips is that Regionale tickets are only listed one week in advance of each trip, and tickets purchased online come with restrictions, which could include retrieving the tickets from a Kiosk.

The easiest solution is to simply buy all your tickets at the airport rail station when you arrive, either at a Kiosk or from a staffed ticket office. You'll probably be issued three different tickets.....

  • Malpensa Express for the trip to Milano Centrale (trip is about 52 minutes - note that the M.E. has two destinations, Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna - be SURE to board the correct train).
  • InterCity or Freccia for first segment of trip to Manarola (you'll likely have to change trains in Sestri Levante or La Spezia Centrale).
  • Regionale ticket for last segment of journey.

One important note regarding Regionale tickets is that you MUST validate these prior to boarding the train on the day of travel or again risk hefty fines!

Posted by
119 posts

Thank you for this detailed reply. My concern is that the tickets might be sold out by the time I arrive in Milan. Would this not be likely?

Posted by
119 posts

What if I make reservations to stay overnight in Milan and buy a ticket to travel the following day? Would that be a better plan? If so, any suggestions as to where we should stay in Milan, to be close to the train station? Thank you.

Posted by
119 posts

I take that back about staying overnight in Milan. I just checked prices. $350 for one night! And when I really don't even want to be there. I guess it would be better to take my chances on getting a train ticket and making my current reservation in Manarola for that evening. Unless someone has a better idea for me. Thank you.

Posted by
11613 posts

Ordinarily an overnight in Milano would be a good option, but Expo 2015 has inflated hotel prices. I would just buy the tickets at the train station.

Posted by
19654 posts

Unless you are arriving on a kickoff to a long Italian holiday weekend, it is unlikely the train will be sold out. You should shoot for taking the 2:05 pm IC train to La Spezia with a cheap (2.10 euro) Regionale connection to Manarola. Buying now, you could get a 9 euro Super Economy ticket on the IC train, but full fare is only 28 euro. There is another IC train at 4:05 pm. Either way, it is not a big issue. If you could get the 9 euro fare, and if it wouldn't break your heart to lose that sum, I'd go ahead and get it now. You'd have your seat reservation and ticket in hand, which will save a bit of time at the station. And if you miss it, there are some nice cafes at the station to kill time.
There is also an all-Regionale connection at 4:25 pm with a fare of 19.75 euro for which no reservations are accepted. If you can't find a seat, you stand.

Posted by
32173 posts

ksb,

For a flight arriving at 10:25, there's absolutely no reason to spend (waste) a night in Milan. It's highly unlikely that the trains will be "sold out" and even if a particular train was completely booked, there would be another train along in an hour or so. A few points to consider.....

  • The Malpensa Express is a Regionale train and doesn't sell out. As Sam mentioned, it there are lots of passengers, you may have to stand.
  • Those segments on the fast trains have compulsory seat reservations. If you can buy a ticket, you'll have a seat.
  • The final segment will also likely be via Regionale (DON'T forget to validate your ticket prior to boarding).
Posted by
119 posts

Sam, where do I find information about a Super Saver ticket on the IC train from Milan to CT? I was using the Rick Steves point to point ticket search and see no options for a super saver ticket.

Posted by
119 posts

OK, I found the Super Economy fare on the Trenitalia site. Is there anything else I should know about booking on that site, before I do? I had thought I needed to purchase train tickets through an intermediary in America. What will happen if I purchase online directly on that site? Thanks. All of this is new to me.

To add to the above, on the Trenitalia site, there is information about ticketless travel (i.e. purchasing the ticket through them I would be sent an email confirmation including information I would supply to the on board personel). Just wondering if anyone has done this and how it went.

Posted by
32173 posts

ksb,

You can also purchase your Trenitalia ticket at www.capitainetrain.com (their website is very user friendly). For travel on the "fast" trains, you'll be provided with a choice of whatever types of tickets are available. When the purchasing process is complete they will send a confirmation E-mail with a PNR Code. You'll need to provide that code to the Conductor when tickets are being checked.

Note that the fast trains require compulsory seat reservations, and those will be provided with tickets. Tickets are specific to only ONE train, date and departure time, so can only be used on the one train listed on the ticket. If you board the wrong train, you'll face hefty fines which will be collected on the spot.

If any segments of your trip will be via Regionale trains, I'd suggest buying those at the airport rail station when you arrive. With Regionale tickets, you MUST validate (time & date stamp) prior to boarding the train. If you forget, again hefty fines. The same is true with Buses, Metro, etc.