Trenitalia train

Melanie, It would help if you could provide a bit of further information. However, a few initial thoughts. You can travel to Milan / MXP T1 via train. Check the Trenitalia website for details. Is there a reason you want to rent only at an airport? Travel to Lago di Como is easily done by train. Is there a particular reason you want to go by car? Note that for driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory I.D.P., which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Drivers also need to be aware of ZTL areas (ie: traffic tickets for venturing into restricted traffic areas). Regarding the difference between first and second class on the trains, I usually travel second class as I don't feel that the extra cost really provides that much more comfort. Most often there's room in the rack over the seat to place my main Pack, but for larger luggage there are usually luggage racks at one end of the coach. You may find it helpful to have a look at This Website. Cheers!

It is my understanding from renting cars in the U.S. that there is more variety of cars and the cost is less if you rent at the airport. We are renting a car in Milan because we plan to travel to Switzerland, Verona, and Venice while in Lake Como. We will probably have 2 large suitcases, as well as 2 medium, and 3 small backpacks. By the way, Happy Thanksgiving to all!

First, you need to understand the train set up in Europe. And because something happens in a certain way in the US, do not assume it happens in the same way in Europe. Most train service is city center to city center which is why train travel is so much more convenient. You cannot pick a train station close to the airport. The airports are some distance outside the cities and connected via public transit. The Milan airport is about an hour outside of Milan and the Central Train station is reached via both rail and shuttle bus. Train is a little faster, maybe 45 minutes. You can reach both train stations in Milan from the airport via train. Rome is similar in that the airport is about a 30 min ride to Termini via the Leonard Express. Rome has only one major train station. There are couple of smaller ones but your trains (Florence, Milan) would be at Termini. It would make more sense to go from Milan to Florence, then on to Rome. Not sure I understand your travel schedule. Second class is not like coach in an airplane - far more space. The space is closer to business class on a plane. The big difference is seat arrangement. First class is 2x1 and second is 2x2. Luggage storage is about the same but with fewer people in first class there is more space per person. We have never had an problems with luggage space in second class. And only ride first if it is cheaper. Your luggage load looks pretty heavy for three people, in fact, way to heavy. A key factor is your ability to quickly handle your luggage getting on and off a train. Lots of heavy bags can be a problem.

Melanie As Ken mentioned, it would be helpful to have more information. Would you provide your international flights and your proposed itinerary including day trips? When we have the entire "picture" of your trip, we can be give better suggestions. As another poster mentioned, Milan, Florence, and Rome would normally be a better route. In addition, renting at the airports have pluses and minuses. At major train stations, many rental agencies have a variety of cars. Have you read Rick Steves' "Europe through the Back Door?" It is usually available through your local library or bookstore and will give you lots of basic information about traveling through Europe. Bobbie

Don't forget that there's a lot more information right on this website at the "Travel Tips" link at the top. There's an article on renting cars in Europe, for example.

I think it's also important to point out that you are traveling with a ton of luggage. You may want to pare that down as traveling with that much will be very difficult. There is no one to help you at the train stations with loading and unloading your luggage. You'll have to do it all yourself while keeping an eye on it to prevent it from being stolen. Also, unless you rent a large (expensive) car you probably wont' be able to fit that much luggage inside. You don't say how long you'll be in Italy or why you've chosen the route you have. This would help us to help you. Donna

Originally, we were going to be going to Italy before going to Scotland to visit my husband's family. Then they decided to have us all meet up in Lake Como. So that is why we are starting in Rome first and making our way up to them. We will be in Italy for 3 weeks.
We have decided to fly back to the States from Milan to avoid taking the train back to Rome. Does that sound better? In terms of luggage, there are 3 of us, my husband, myself and my daughter. When she was little, we travelled on the train from London to Edinburgh with a lot more than what we are probably taking this time. If we can get it reduced to 1 large, 1 medium and 3 backpacks, it will be a miracle. So, we will fly into Rome, spent 4 days there. Take the train to Florence, spend 3 days, take a day trip to Pisa by train. Then take the train from Florence to Milan, hire a car and drive up to Lake Como to meet the family for 2 weeks, with day trips to Venice and Switzerland.

In Europe, car rental places are near, and even within, major train stations. They are also at the major airports. Next, you don't say from where you will be departing. This could help in providing a better answer to your inquiry. For driving in Switzerland, you will need to purchase a vignette to place on the car. This is a permit to drive in Switzerland. You might also want to know that Switzerland has more miles of train track per citizen than any other country. There are trains and cable ways in Switzerland that go where the cars cannnot. You might want to consider not driving in Switzerland.

Why do you need a car to get from Milan to Lake Como? Trains run from Milano Centrale to Varenna on Lake Como about every two hours. Also a day trip from Lake Como to Venice, do able but 6 hours worth of driving back and forth. Just saying.

We will be staying in Argegno in Lake Como for 2 weeks, not Varenna. I do not want to get a taxi to the train station or a boat for 10 people every time we want to go on a day trip. I feel that it would be more of a waste of time waiting on the taxi/boat/train. Our extended family will be getting a car after they fly into Milan. Also, we do not necessarily want to just go to city centers in Switzerland. We are planning on taking the train into Venice. We may rethink our trip into Verona.

Is Verona doable as a day trip by train from Varenna? We are not sure of our day trips just yet. We are in the initial planning stages. I really appreciate the tips. Lots to think about!

Geez at peopel trying to dissuade others from driving! I'll give actual answers: - There is a train station at Malpensa Airport, but served only by express airport trains or 2 daily high-speed trains from Firenze. There are two rental agencies (Herz and Europcar) near Milano Centrale station, from where it is relatively easy to get on to the highway. - High-speed trains now have 4 classes of services (Standard, Premium, Business and Executive) Don't get swayed into the doomsday say if-you-don't-get-a-train-you-will-be-cursed

Is it easy to get from Milano centrale station to Linate airport?

@Andre wasn't discouraging anyone from getting a car, merely asking why. I live in LA, the universe of automobile travel so please don't assume I was trying to dissuade them from renting a car. Driving in other countries can be frustrating to some travelers especially if they are visiting a country for a first time. Have you tackled the freeways of Los Angeles Andre? Melanie, do you have the Rick Steve's Italy book yet? Inquiring as it provides a great deal of insight regarding cities, transportation options, etc. Might assist you with figuring out your day trips.

Claudia, I have Rick's pocket Rome book, as I wanted something I could easily carry. I don't have his book on Italy but have flipped through it. My husband has travelled through Europe a lot and neither one of us feels nervous about driving around. I mainly want the rental for Switzerland. I do think that taking the train to Venice and Verona would be best though now.

Great. Zoom. Zoom. The bus from Centrale to Linate is a 20 minute ride and departs every 30 minutes.

From Milano Centrale to Linate there is an airport bus service (cost around € 10 I guess), taking 25-35min. You can go by regular public transportation, but that requires 2 subways + urban bus. From Milano Central to Malpensa there are airport express trains every 30 minutes (travel takes 40min).

Larry, if we are getting a rental in Milan, do I need to get a vignette for the rental. I thought it was only needed for people driving their own car in Switzerland. According to other websites, the International Driving Permit is sufficient for driving in Switzerland.

Any vehicle driven by anybody driving on any road designated by the Swiss as Autobahn/Autoroute/Autostada requires a Vignette (price CHF40). That includes two lane roads which have the green sign of a car. It is pretty hard for a tourist to avoid all of those. Big fine for non complience, and they DO have patrols.

Melanie, Nigel has nailed it. You must have the vignette to drive on Swiss roads. We were recently in Chamonix-Mt. Blanc with our rental car and wanted to go to a museum exhibit just across the border into Switzerland. We checked at the train station and we could easily take the train into Switzerland but for just a couple of hours in our rental car, we would have needed a vignette. It's required by Swiss law.

How do you get a vignette for a rental car? Does the car rental location provide you with one for an additional fee? We would be renting a car out of Milan near the train station.

compare airfares from Milan Linate vs Milan Malpensa it makes sense to fly into Rome and out of Milan check AutoEurope for rental cars
I personally would not choose to rent a car for cities you are visiting

^^ You can buy Swiss vignettes at the border. There is a huge rest area there, where they sell the vignette. Same for Austria.

From what I can see, the rental car may already have a vignette on it. If not, I will pick one up at the border. Thanks for the replies! Lots of good info here.