Transfering trains in Milan Central

Scott, That's a rather short transfer time, especially for Milano Centrale which is a fairly large station. It could take five minutes to even determine which track your departing train is leaving from. There are also some "variables" to consider. If the car you arrive on is at the far end of the platform and there's a huge crush of passengers, it could take five minutes to even get to the front. It would help to have a few more details on your trip, and whether you've already bought tickets. Cheers!

That isn't enough time. I would allow at least 10 minutes if you run fast. You won't know where the next track is until you arrive. You might get lucky and have it be close. Or not. More time would be better.

I'm sorry to say that you probably have to have a "Plan B". I wouldn't even try it in 5 minutes and I've used Milano Centrale several times. Why? These are the issues: While they are better than they were, Italian trains are not noted for always arriving absolutely on time in Milano. My most recent trip through Milano was in April and my train from Switzerland arrived 11 minutes late; my train from Roma arrived just 6 late. Milano Centrale is a very wide station, with many many tracks. Milano Centrale is a dead end station and, while there may be mid-platform underground passageways, I've never noticed any. To go from platform to platform you have to get out of your carriage onto your platform and walk all the way to the head of your train and past the engine, find the train indicator, locate your train and track, then walk down that platform and onto your train. Because most people get on at the first door they get to and you will, if you are lucky, be one of the last people on you will have to either jump onto the first door where everybody is standing and hope you can walk though - not guaranteed - or try to keep going along the outside of the train hoping you can get on elsewhere before the train leaves. - = - Can I suggest you make a later connection and maybe have a caffé before you hop on?

I see the 12:10 Intercity train to Monterosso. Nice run with no train changes. Have you purchased your tickets yet? If yes, your ticket from Milan to Monterosso should show the train number, departure time and seat numbers. If still yes, how did you purchase your tickets? If you purchased online, did you take advantage of the economy or super economy fares? Again, if yes, the economy fares can be exchanged in advance one time for a fee. The Super Economy ticket is non-exchangable and non-refundable. More information please.

Thanks for all of the advice, I was able to alter my plans to arrive in Milan at 11:05 which will give me 65 minutes until my next train... pleanty of time to make it and grab an espresso as well!

Scott, It's great to hear that you've got the problem solved. A few additional comments.... Be sure to watch your luggage carefully at Milano Centrale, or it might "disappear". If you need to use the WC, they're one floor down via a "moving sidewalk" (with your back to the tracks, go into the main hall and turn right). Keep some change at hand, as they're a "pay" facility. There are more Cafés two floors down (again via moving sidewalk), near the ticket office. One thing I've found especially at Milano Centrale, is that they don't always post the departure track until about 30-mintues before departure. Cheers!