We are arriving at Malpensa Airport on 31 August and will be traveling by train. I have looked at Trenitalia.com to book train to Vernazza. I thought you have to go from the airport by bus or cab to a train station in Milan. At the website it was talking about starting at Malpensa I or Malpensa II which I did not understand. Can someone give me advise on getting from Malpensa Airport to Vernazza by train? Thanks
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
Joe,
It's actually a very easy trip. If you're arriving at MXP on a flight from the U.S., you'll be arriving at Terminal 1. I'm assuming Malpensa II is Terminal 2, which is mostly used by the budget airlines.
You'll first have to travel from MXP to Milano Centrale using the Malpensa Express (train). You can buy tickets at the airport and there should also be at least a Kiosk to buy tickets for the ongoing trip to Vernazza (it's been awhile since I travelled that route, so can't remember). The trip takes about 52 minutes and the train will arrive on Binario (track) 1 or 2 in the corner of the station. You'll have to walk from there into the main hall to find your next train. The Malpensa Express is a Regionale so DON'T forget to validate your tickets prior to boarding the train or you'll be subject to hefty fines which will be collected on the spot! Also note that the Malpensa Express has two routes, one going to Milano Centrale and one to Milano Cadorna. BE SURE to board the right train!
When you arrive at Milano Centrale, look at the large "Departures" board to find your train to Vernazza. If you weren't able to get a ticket at the airport, use one of the Kiosks at track level. They have an English-language menu and are very easy to use. If you'd prefer to use a staffed ticket office, that's two floors down and you'll have to exit the secured track area. There's often a LONG queue at the ticket office so that's not an option I'd recommend.
What time does your flight arrive? One of the quickest and easiest trips to Vernazza will be a departure at 12:10, arriving at 15:20 (time 3H:10M, one change at Monterosso). The second train on that route is also a Regionale, so again DON'T forget to validate. There are numerous other trains with longer travel times and more changes.
Many here on the forum don't recommend buying advance tickets for express trains to connect with an inbound flight. The express trains (Intercity, Freccia) have compulsory reservations which are specific to train, date and departure time, and if you miss the train you've booked because your flight was late, there was a long queue in Passport control or whatever, the ticket is worthless and you'll have to buy another one at full (base) fare. Although it will cost a bit more, the safer method is to just buy tickets when you arrive.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15182 posts
The trains start at the new airport station Malpensa Terminal 2 (low cost airlines arrive here). Next stop is Malpensa Terminal 1 (regular airlines coming from North America arrive to T1), just a short distance away.
From T1 station then the trains proceed to Milano (either Cadorna or Centrale stations). Make sure you take the train going to Milano Centrale, not Cadorna. Milano Centrale is where you catch the trains to Genoa and beyond (Cinque Terre).