Train Schedules in November - general question

You can count on the train schedule to be similar not unless there is another major COVID outbreak

Looking at the current schedule, that 6:42 am regionale from Passignano is the only connection that will get you to Malpensa in time for your flight, so I would definitely look at going to Milan a day early. Any hiccup in the 3 trains of that connection will be a problem, with no other options.

The schedules Will change on December 12 all over Europe, not in October/November.

If you decide to spend one night in Milan, try to stay close to Milano Cadorna station: the train travel to MXP is 15 minutes quicker and the area is nicer than the neighbourhood around Milano Centrale.

Thank you all! Appreciate the quick and helpful responses.

This thing might really happen? Trying to not get my hopes up again and again lol.

Ended up booking our flight on Sunday instead of Saturday, so we will make our way to Milan by train from Passignano Sul Trasimeno and stay the night in Milan Saturday. We will have plenty of time on Sunday to get the to MXP for the 3:40pm flight now.

The last time we were in Milan we stayed just one night as well, can't say I loved it, but hope to find something to love about it this time. The Duomo was spectacular, but otherwise...meh.

Here is to hoping the weather in November is decent, and we benefit from thinned crowds for offseason + covid.

It breaks down like this:
Into Rome Sunday the 7th, Rome 3 nights. (maybe a day trip to Orvieto?)
Train to Florence, 3 nights.
Train to Passignano sul Trasimeno 7 nights. (we will have a car here, hope to day trip to Perugia, Cortona, Assisi, etc..)

As always, thanks for the guidance.

I would not plan to go to MXP the day of your flight. I would definitely return the car in Arezzo or Florence, and take the train to Milan the day before my flight. If you were staying in Florence it would be different given the numerous high speed trains, but not from Umbria. Things happen and you don’t want to miss a transatlantic flight. I wouldn’t consider driving either all the way to MXP. It would be at least 5 hours, with likely traffic in the Milan metro area beltway (and possibly around Florence too at commute time). Also in November there is the possibility of fog in the Po valley (especially in the morning and evenings).

Since your flight is not early in the morning, you should stay in the city center, preferably within striking distance from the Cadorna station, as Dario mentioned. No need to stay near the airport.

Don’t even consider Florence airport these days. Since the pandemic struck, flights are very limited, and prices are high. Rome or Milan are the only viable options.

I can hardly believe it, but it seems like we might actually be able to make this trip happen!

We will be flying into Rome for 3 days, then off to Florence for 3 days. Hotels are booked, but otherwise haven't really made plans. We've been to both spots for a total of one day each. Glad to get back and explore more.

Our plan to get from Rome to Florence is train, things seem to be running aok from what I can tell on these forums, am I likely good to just buy tickets at the station when we are ready to go?

From Florence we plan to take a train back south to Passignano sul Trasimeno where we will be at a villa for a week with a car, this seems to be a regional train so again..in advance or when ready?

We hope to do some day trips here, Cortona, Assisi, Perugia, Montepulciano. Hoping at least some things remain open in mid November. Mostly I just want to eat and explore on foot. Again, no real plans.

From there we will head back north by train to Milan, long trip for our flight out the next day (21st). Currently looking for a hotel in Milan. Again, have been there just one night. Not my favorite place, but hopefully will find something to do/eat for the evening. We will probably go to pharmacy here for test to get home, but we do have the binax w/telehealth as options as well (in-hand).

So I guess, in general. My questions are...train travel, how is it going and should I be bothering to get in advance for November? Any places I should seek out for trips, explorations, or good eats? Places to avoid that likely will be shuttered in November?

Exciting times!

Thanks @roberto we won't have a car at that point in the trip. Train into Milan, staying the night now, and train to Malpensa the next day! Your advice is always appreciated!

when we are ready to go?

Getting tickets on the day of travel you'll pay the full walk-up fare. It's called Base on trenitalia.com/en.html and Flexi on italotreno.it/en

Both sites display discounted and full fares in advance, you can easily calculate the difference and decide by yourself. You trade money for flexibility.

in advance or when ready?

There are no reserved seats and no discounted tickets on Regionale trains. So they can't sell out and early birds do not save any money. I am sure there Is a warning on your guide about the need to time-stamp Regionale tickets locally purchased.

hopefully will find something to do/eat for the evening.

Thousands find something to eat near the canals in the Navigli district that's close to Milano Cadorna station. I suspect you are going to stay near Milano Centrale station, note that the area is almost deserted when offices close.

Thank you @dario I hope things are well for you in Italy at this time! Appreciate you!