I have booked my Venice hotel and the owner would like to know what time to expect us. So, I ask you kind folks this:
My flight is to arrive in Milan (MXP) at 8:50 a.m. About how long does it take to get through customs/passport, get luggage then shuttle to the Milan train station? He wants to know what train I'm taking and I don't know which one to say b/c I don't know how long to getting there journey is.
Also, if I buy advance reservations for a particular fast train time to Venice and then my flight is delayed, miss the next shuttle bus, etc. I am just out the train fare or could I use it on the next train? Thanks!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
There are several shuttles running from Malpensa airport to Milan's central station. They take about 50 min and run at least every 20 min, so figure 1 hr (aver) from the time you get to the shuttle.
According to Trenitalia, there is a ES*City train at 9:35; you can't make that one. There is another one at 11:35; you should be able to make it. The 11:35 train gets into Venice S.L. at 14:10 (2:10 PM).
However, all this depends on your flight arriving at Malpensa on time. No one can guarantee that.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
There are trains about every hour from Milan to Venice so you shouldn't need to worry about a reservation. If it were me I would tell him you be arriving in the mid afternoon and not try to be too specific about which train, etc.
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
34 posts
Thanks Lee. Do you know about how long it takes to get rhrough custom/passports?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Do you know about how long it takes to get through custom/passports?
Nope. Never flown into Milan (or Italy). In Germany I would say less than 20 minutes with a carryon.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
Paige, I've flown into Milan several times and have never had any particularly long lines at immigration. I agree with the others, I would just buy my train ticket on arrival at the central train station as there are frequent trains between Milan and Venice. I'd suggest that you print out a copy of the train schedule and bring it with you. The Milan train station is very large.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Paige, don't worry about the train. There are 22 trains a day that go from Milan to Venezia Santa Lucia. These are mostly EuroCity trains. When you buy your ticket, your seat reservation will come with it. In addition, there are several regional trains going East that you won't see on the Trenitalia website unless you put in Verona, Padua or Vicenza as your destination. Each train holds as many people as a 747. Again, don't worry about the train. Further, it is not advisable to purchase a train ticket in advance as your plane may be late. Once a train with seat reservations departs, you have about 2hrs to resolve which could take time. After two hours, you lose the ticket. Just show up and buy your ticket for the next departing train. Very easy. Once you land, you are about 5hrs from Venezia Santa Lucia assuming that you take one of the higher-speed trains. This includes clearing customs and taking the almost one-hour bus ride into the Milan train station.