Train from Malpensa to Firenze SMN

Martha,

There are no direct trains AFAIK. You'll have to go to Milano Centrale first via the Malpensa Express, and then connect with a Freccia train to Florence. You could also take the M.E. but only as far as Milano Porta Garibaldi, and then connect with an Italo train to Florence.

You have to connect via http://www.malpensaexpress.it/en/malpensa-express/timetable.aspx.
as Ken said getting off @ Milano Centrale to connect w/ Trenitalia.com or Garibaldi w
Italo. Do not pre purchase tickets as they may not be valid if your flight is late or it takes to much time
to clear passport control.

The Malpenza Express is a bus that is usually outside baggage pick up. It leaves every half hour for Milano Centrale and you get your ticket from the driver. it takes about 45+ minutes to get to the train station. Then get your ticket to SML on the next express train going there.

Some clarification is in order.....

"The Malpenza Express is a bus that is usually outside baggage pick up."

That's not entirely correct. The Malpensa Express is a train, and the Malpensa Shuttle is a bus. It's important to differentiate between the two.

On this page- http://www.italiarail.com/airport-connections if you choose Malpensa it states this:

By Train: Completion of the newest highspeed line is now servicing Milan's Malpensa Airport. Trains depart and arrive twice per day and service Milan Central, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples. Passholder fares are available for Eurail passholders. (Info Tel. +39 02 27763).

I was looking to get a direct train from Malpensa to Bologna. This seems to indicate that 2 trains depart each day but I have not been able to see any info how to book them. It would be great to not have to switch at Milano Centrale.

Update: I just found this as well- http://www.therebytrain.com/default.aspx/milan/trains_to_and_from_malpensa_airport
( this page has a lot of information on getting trains)

This says: The AV high speed trains from/to Malpensa Airport and Bologna,Florence and Rome have now been withdrawn.
Trains operated by Le Nord (not Trenitalia) operate on two routes to the city centre:
(1) The dedicated ‘Malpensa Express’ which operates from the airport to the city centre station of Milano (Cadorna) The most convenient and fastest service for those heading to the city centre of Milan from Malpensa Airport.
(2) A new rail service has now been introduced between Malpensa Airport and Milano (Centrale) station (not in the city centre). Passengers heading for destinations throughout Italy from Malpensa Airport by train can now make straightforward connections at Milano Centrale.

No direct trains from MXP to Firenze. There were a couple a few years ago, but they were canceled due to insufficient passengers.
There is talk of having the high speed trains connecting the airports at Rome FCO and Milan MXP to various cities (including Turin and Venice, and that was part of the agreement with Etihad for taking over the ailing Alitalia). However that is still in the 'dreaming' stage and the only one implemented so far is a couple of Freccia trains from Rome FCO directly to Venice (via Florence). I think the only one that is seriously being considered from MXP is a direct train to Turin.

Thanks everyone! Your comments have been very helpful. I guess now I just have to choose between Milan Centrale or Porta Garibaldi Stations. Thanks again!!

HI Martha. If you have never dealt with Italian train stations before you might find Milano Centrale a bit easier to negotiate then Garibaldi as the track and ticketing portion of Centrale is all on the same level, right in front of you, as you get off the Malpensa Express. Although you do have to walk for a couple of minutes.

With Porto Garibaldi you have a further walk down corridors, etc., till you get to ticketing, then likely you have to turn around an walk back down under tracks through those corridors again. It is not that difficult, just a wee bit more stressful if it is all new to you.