For our upcoming trip, we will be arriving at the Malpensa airport and will need to take a train into the Milano Centrale station, and from there will need to take another train up to Varenna. When should we buy our train tickets? At the airport when we arrive? Or should we buy them in advance? Is there any problem with “sold out” trains?
Posted by
Detroit, MI
1058 posts
When I went to Italy in 2017, I took a plane to Rome. From the airport I took the train to Florence. I bought the ticket from a machine after going through security/after getting my passport stamped. The advantage of buying my ticket at the last minute was, I didn't have to worry about missing my train if the plane arrived late or if it took too long to get through security and get my passport stamped. There is a low change of all trains being sold out. Or you could buy a train ticket for 4 to 6 or more hours after your plane is supposed to arrive.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7278 posts
It’s a regional train
You can use whatever ticket you purchase for any LATER train that day
Regional trains don’t sell out
I would use the app and purchase once you’ve landed
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Is there any problem with “sold out” trains?
No, since regional and airport trains have no reserved seats they can't sell out. You could connect to the airport's wifi and buy a through ticket on line while waiting for your luggage.
This way you will also avoid the need to time-stamp before getting on.
Posted by
Indiana
1027 posts
What about this shuttle from Malpensa to Milan Centrale? I was going to use this one. Do we need to reserve our tickets?
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
That's an airport train, not a shuttle and
airport trains have no reserved seats and can't sell out.
Posted by
Indiana
1027 posts
Thanks. Can’t he also use it, at least to Milan? Is one better than the other, easier?
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Sorry, I don't understand your question.
The Malpensa Express is a train that goes from MXP Airport to Milan's stations and back. It can't sell out and everybody can use it.
Customers can get all train tickets either online or at the station.
Since it can't sell out There is no need to buy tickets in advance; but you can do it if you really want.
Buses from MXP to Milan do not sell out, either. Buses from various companies depart from outside the arrivals. Buses are as easy as trains, but trains can't get stuck on the ring road.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34145 posts
to try to tie this all up with pretty string and a pretty bow, both the Malpensa Express (be sure and get the one going to Milano Centrale, not the one to Cadorna because you can't make the same connections there) and the TreNord train from Milano Centrale to Varenna (on the reader board as Tirano because that is the final destination) are both Regionale trains which can't sell out, and ticket prices don't change, and tickets can be bought in advance or just before travel, on line or by app or (for the old school) ticket machines and ticket windows. It really is easy.