Any Ideas on getting from Madrid to Milan by train?

Posted by macrent2 (Indiana, United States. ) on 11/03/14 04:55 PM

Hello everyone,

I am now in Madrid and need to make my reservations to get to Italy in 3 days. I have found the Eurail plan to get from Barcelona to Milan. However, I am in Madrid. Before I go make my reservation tommorow at the train station to get to Italy. Will I have to do an overnight in the Southern part of France (this would be fine). Or do you think (or know of a way) to get from Madrid to Italy? Or, is this a 2 day trip with a stopover in France? Any advice is welcome.

Thank You!

Macrent2

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

11/03/14 05:42 PM

33838 posts

So you're traveling in 3 days but don't have any reservations?

Are you committed to the train, a particularly long and tortuous journey? If not, my strong advice would be to fly. Very fast, very cheap. But in 3 days?

oh dear.

I guess all the cheap seats are gone now, both in the air and on rails.

What do you mean,

I have found the Eurail plan

Are you trying to say that you have some sort of Rail Pass? If so, what kind? Which countries?

The train from Madrid to Milano will be, if you go straight through, with the shortest possible changes of train from 23 to 25 hours on the train.

In your August threads you said that you intended to stop in Nice. Is that still in the plan? If so, add another 2 or 3 hours to the train times.

Can you give us a bit more of the context, please?

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

11/03/14 06:23 PM

8889 posts

"Any Ideas on getting from Madrid to Milan by train?" - Don't

There is unfortunately no easy train route along the French Mediterranean coast. Either this will involve a lot of slow local trains, or a detour north to Lyon and then back south again.

This route is best by one of the cut-price airlines, but at 3 days notice the won't be cheap. Air Europa, EasyJet and Iberia fly Milan to Madrid.

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

11/03/14 06:28 PM

16895 posts

We recommend flying; see www.skyscanner.com for airlines. If you have already seen train schedules from Barcelona to Nice, then departing by train from Madrid is similar, plus three hours more. There is one direct train per day between Madrid and Marseille. See also How to Look Up Train Schedules Online. If you are traveling with a Eurail pass, then you must get a pass holder seat reservation ASAP at a Renfe ticket office or train station; these do sell out.

Posted by macrent2 OP

Indiana, United States.

11/03/14 07:51 PM

8 posts

I have a Eurail Pass and plenty of time if I need a stop over. I actually found a route and reserved a place with my hostel owner tonight. It is a full day of travel by train... but very doable. I changed my schedual I posted in August, and then also changed my route during the trip to go to Barcelona FIRST (the train was ¨canceled¨ from Barcelona to Madrid due to an accident) and then Seville, Granada, Cordoba and now Madrid. I am just glad that I have the time to have a fun adventure... It is fun to mess up once and a while! I can always do another day in Barcelona.... lol!

Thanks for your advice,

Macrent2