Train travel Italy and France

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There are 2 trains every hour from Milan Malpensa airport to Milano Centrale station where there is basically at least one train every hour to Venice. You can also get a bus to Milano Centrale, but may take a bit longer due to traffic, but may also be a tad cheaper than the 12 euro pp for the train.

Think about a discount airline to Paris, its about a 10 hour train ride. I'd go from Milan unless some overriding factor makes you return to Venice. In fact, if its just a matter of efficiency, do Lake Como first, then Venice, then fly to Paris. Much less time zipping around on trains.

Thanks for all the helpful info. I'm going to try to change our reservations so we go to Lake Como first and then Venice. Then fly from Venice to Paris. So how do I get from Milan airport to Lake Como?

Thanks for all your help!!!

Debbie

We're staying in Varenna, just north of Bellagio. You are so helpful.

hotel olivedo

You are wonderful! So we don't need to get the train ticket to Varenna beforehand?

debbie,

This is the route you'll need to take.....

I assume you're arriving at MXP Terminal 1 after a flight from the U.S.? If so your trip to Varenna is very straightforward. If you're arriving at MXP Terminal 2, the route will be slightly different.

After you've collected your luggage, make your way to the rail station in the airport and buy your rail tickets (you'll be issued two tickets). The first train will be the Malpensa Express from MXP to Milano Centrale (travel time about 52 minutes). You'll arrive at Milano Centrale on Track (Binario) 2, which is slightly offset from the others. NOTE that the M.E. has two routes, one going to Milano Centrale and the other to Milano Cadorna. Be sure to board the correct train! Also NOTE that the train is a Regionale, so you MUST validate your ticket in the trackside machines prior to boarding the train, or you risk a hefty fine (often about €50 PP) which will be collected on the spot!

When you arrive at Milano Centrale, check the electronic board for the Binario No. of your next train. It may not be displayed until about 20 - 30 minutes before departure. The display may not show Varenna as the destination, as that's an intermediate stop on the line to Tirano or Sondrio. You can check the large paper Partenze charts to get some idea which train number you're looking for (it also may be specified on the ticket). The train to Varenna is also a Regionale, so you MUST validate your ticket prior to boarding the train. DON'T validate both tickets at MXP, as they have a "shelf life" once validated.

The trip to Varenna is 1H:03M. You'll go through a tunnel just prior to arrival at the station, so be ready to disembark promptly as the train only stops for a short time. Facing the front of the train, you'll exit on the left side as I recall. There may or may not be a Taxi waiting at the station, so you may have to walk to your hotel. Which hotel are you staying in?

If you have enough time at Milano Centrale, you may want to buy your tickets for the trip from Varenna to Venice, preferably using a Kiosk as there's usually a long queue at the ticket office. There's no ticket office in Varenna. However, if you don't have time at Milano Centrale, you can buy rail tickets in Varenna at the very helpful Tivano Tours office which is just below the rail station.

For the trip to Venice, you'll first take the Regionale back to Milano Centrale (don't forget to validate), and will then likely be using a Freccia high speed train from there to Venice. NOTE that the tickets for those have compulsory reservations, which are specific to one train, date and departure time so you MUST only use the one train specified on the ticket or again you'll face hefty fines! You can see all the train options on either the Trenitalia or bahn.de websites.

I agree that it would be best to use a budget flight from Venice to Paris, as that's a more efficient use of valuable holiday time. When is your trip taking place? You might consider EasyJet, as they have flights to both CDG and ORY. The 09:25 departure should have you in Paris by lunch time. Of the two airports, I prefer ORY as it's smaller and easier to navigate. From ORY, you can take the OrlyVal train and then RER into central Paris. With any of the budget airlines, it's important to book EARLY to get the best prices. Note that the tickets are usually non-refundable and non-changeable. Be sure to read their Terms & Conditions carefully, especially related to luggage rules.

Since both the Malpensa Express and the train to Varenna-Esino (the actual name of the station) are operated by Trenord, I imagine (but am not 100% sure) you could buy both tickets at the airport train station. Wouldn't hurt to ask as long as you are there. You might also buy the return ticket to Milan from Varenna as there is no ticket office at Varenna-Esino station. Otherwise you'll have to buy the return ticket at the travel agency in Varenna before you leave. The tickets are just general tickets and only become active when you validate them before boarding the train. Thus the fines Ken referred to if you get caught with an unvalidated ticket. Think of it as, you punch your own ticket on the honor system, rather than having the conductor do it. They spot check passengers occasionally to keep everyone honest.

Can anyone give me information on hiring a car and driver to take us from the Milan airport to Varenna, Italy? Thanks!

debbie,

Unfortunately, I don't have any information on car services but if you find one, it likely won't be cheap.

The steps for taking the train might sound complicated, but in reality it's all rather easy.

Debbie,
I agree with Ken, taking the train to Milan (Milano Centrale) from the airport then on to Varenna is very easy.

Just follow his instructions and you shouldn't have a problem.
We just traveled to Milan & took train to
Varenna.
Just make sure you get on the train 5-10 minutes before departure because most of the trains
run right on schedule.

Worse case scenario, if you miss the train, you just wait for the next one.

Have a few 1 Euro coins on hand because you will need them if you need to use the bathroom at Milano Centrale.

Enjoy your trip!

O

I really appreciate everyone's help. Our concern is we're both in our 70's. With the train, it sounds like it's not as simple as hopping a train at the airport and heading to Venice. There seem to be several trains we'd have to take in between. And then worry about which train to make a reservation on to get to Venice. All this with luggage. What do you think?

The trains from Milan Central station go direct to Venice, one at least every hour. If you are traveling by air to Milan, train stations are a breeze compared to airports, although you do have to hump your own luggage.
Thus the RS mantra: "Pack light! Nobody ever returns saying 'I wish I brought more stuff'."

The trains are not that much different than airplanes, you have a ticket for a specific train, and specific seats.
You don't have to go through security and get searched, you don't have to line up and wait to board. When the train shows up, you find your car, (based on the train guide on the platform that shows exactly where each car is located on the platform), and get on. The big train board in the main station shows where each train is boarding, destination, and departure time.

Check out some of the resources on this site like "Transportation Tips" and "Packing Tips".

Thanks again for all your help. We have decided to take someone's advice and go to Lake Como before Venice and then fly from Venice to Paris! Great idea!!! NOW the question is how easy is it to take train from Milan airport to Varenna, on Lake Como? Thanks.

Debbie,

Re-read the previous posts by Ken, Sam & mph.

They all gave you very detailed information as to how to get to Varenna from Malpensa airport.

It may sound complicated but it's fairly simple.

Most importantly, you want to travel light, otherwise it's a huge hassle getting on & off the trains.

One good thing about Milan's Central Station (Milano Centrale) it's that all the train tracks are on the ground level & you don't need to worry about going up & down stairs!

Once you arrive to Varenna, there are taxis waiting right outside the station & they will gladly take you to your hotel for 10 Euros.

When will you be traveling?

The train from the airport to Milan Central station are twice and hour, so just get on the first one after buying your ticket. Make sure it is the one to Milano Centrale. At Milano Centrale, the trains to Varenna go at 23 past the hour on the following schedule: 8:23 am, 9:23 am, 11:23 am, 1:23 pm. 2:23 pm, 3:23 pm, 5:23 pm, 6:23 pm, 8:23 pm. So just get the next one after buying your ticket, its only 6.50 euro per person. If you miss it, just take the next one. There will be plenty of cafes to kill time at the station if you have to wait.
Just remember to validate your tickets before boarding.