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train tickets

arriving in Milan MXP on a sunday morning and needing an express train to Florence. Should I buy tickets in advance? If so, how much time to allow getting from the aiport to centrale train station? Thanks for advice.

Posted by
5188 posts

Rkelber,

It's not recommended to buy train tickets in advance for the day of your arrival because
one never knows how long it will take to go through immigration (passport check-point)
at the airport.
You also need to consider that your flight might be delayed.

We traveled to northern Italy a few months ago & our flight was delayed for 2 hours!

The 'Malpensa Express' train takes about 52 minutes from MXP to Milano Centrale-- you do not need to buy this ticket in advance.

Posted by
5188 posts

Very doubtful that trains sell out.

There is a freccia (high speed) train departing Milano Centrale to Florence once every hour.

Posted by
32173 posts

As Priscilla mentioned, it's not generally recommended to pre-purchase tickets to connect with an inbound flight, as the tickets for some trains are specific to train, date and departure time. If the flight is late or you miss the train for any reason, the tickets are worthless and you'll have to buy more at full price. You can also buy your tickets for the train to Florence at the airport station. Note that your departure station will be Milano Centrale and your arrival station will be Firenze S.M. Novella.

After arrival at MXP you'll still have to get from the airport to Milano Centrale to connect with the Freccia high speed train to Florence. The easiest method is to take the Malpensa Express, which has frequent departures and takes about 52 minutes.Note that the M.E. has two routes, one going to Milano Centrale and one going to Milano Cadorna, so be sure to board the correct train. Also note that you MUST validate your ticket prior to boarding the train, or you'll risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!

When you arrive at Milano Centrale, proceed into the main part of the station and check the electronic sign board for the departure platform (Binario) of your train to Florence. The train number should be listed on your ticket. You'll have assigned seating on that train, so you'll need to use the Car No. (Carrozza) and Seat No. (Posti) listed on your ticket.

Posted by
11247 posts

Excellent advice above, but one thing to add from local experience: consider buying your ticket in advance but buy a full-price/refundable ticket. Saves you a little time when you arrive, and hedges the bet on a possible sell-out. I have heard recently of problems with sell-outs, in one case my friend here in Roma could not get a res last minute on a train from Roma to Venezia for three days! Think optimistically but balance it with possible problems. I would allow at 4 hours from planned arrival time at MXP to possible departure on a frecciarossa to Firenze. If you are delayed, your ticket can be exchanged if you pay full fare. If you are on time, you have time to grab some food for the train before departure.

For all other transfers, which are in your control, go ahead and buy 120 days in advance so you can take advantage of the super discounts.

Posted by
5362 posts

Copied from man in seat 61:

Milan to Florence, Rome, Venice, & other Italian cities from €19!

◾All Italian long-distance trains require seat reservation and have airline-style pricing, so in theory trains can 'sell out' although outside busy holiday periods it's easy to buy tickets at the station on the day of travel if you want. Trenitalia now has airline-style pricing, so tickets will be more expensive bought on the day, much cheaper booked in advance with a cheap Economy or Super-Economy fare. So ideally pre-book if possible. Local, suburban and regional trains don't require reservations and have a fixed price, so you can buy tickets for those at the station on the day, there is no need to pre-book and no advantage in doing so. You'll find more advice on Italian train travel on the Train Travel in Italy page.

◾You can buy Italian train tickets online at www.italiarail.com or Italian Railways' own site www.trenitalia.com. Italiarail.com is easy to use, recognises English-language place names and they'll refund the €3.50 booking fee if you email seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR.

◾Trenitalia.com is also fairly easy to use but it requires Italian-language place names and has a few quirks so see this advice on using it, but there's no booking fee and it allows specific seat selection. Both sites sell the same tickets at the same prices and both usually offer ticketless travel, you simply quote your PNR on board the train. Booking for inter-city trains opens 90 days ahead, although you may only see prices for local and regional trains (or journeys involving such a train) if you pick a date within the next 7 days.

This link might also be helpful:

http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm#.VNCymNh0x9A

Posted by
7981 posts

If you arrive early in Milan, you might get a ticket 3 mos ahead for late in the day,giving yourself a big cushion for late planes e.g. arrive at 8 am, depart for Florence at 4 or 5. You save a bundle on the train ticket, but it is non-refundable. It will cost 2 or 3 times as much at the last minutes. During the gap time, you could stow your luggage at the Milan train station left luggage and visit the incredible Milan Cathedral (be sure to go onto the roof which is amazing)

I'd save the money by getting a ticket ahead and hope I could fit in this side trip. Always give yourself ample time before the train leaves to retrieve luggage as there could be a line for that.

Posted by
11613 posts

Also note that at the airport, the trains for Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna leave from separate tracks, so you need to choose the right stairway/escalator to go down to the correct platform.