We are traveling from Milan to Munich and will have 19 minutes to transfer trains in Verona. Is the signage in the platform area easy to find and understand so that we will be able to quickly find the correct track for our train? Any tips for us to make this a successful transfer?
Some people report here that their Italian trains are consistently on time. My experience is that Italian trains being on time is a mixed bag, it's different than in Germany or Switzerland where you can set your watch by the arrival of a train. Just think of it as part of the charm and ambience of Italia. So, it's possible you'll have less than 19 minutes or will miss that train connection. And signage in the platform area is not always easy to find or understand--best to ask a uniformed Trenitalia employee, in basic simple English.
Sue,
The track numbers are usually well marked, but be sure to pack light as you may have to get from one track to another via a sotto passagio (tunnel). Usually in Italy these involve stairs, so if you're packing a huge suitcase you'll have some work to do!
I travelled from Verona to Salzburg (via Munich) this May (the Kufstein-Brennero portion is beautiful! The train stops for a few minutes at the border to change locomotives). However, I can't recall many details of the station layout in Verona? There's always a printed chart showing the arrival & departure times and track numbers, but the electronic sign boards are more reliable.
If you're travelling with a reserved seat (usually compulsory on fast trains), you'll have to locate your Car No. as well.
I'm assuming that this is your first trip to Italy? A few words that you might find useful:
- Binario = Track
- Carozza = Car
My experience with the aspect of "punctuality" is that Italian trains are usually fairly close to the scheduled times, but not always exact. Hopefully you don't encounter a "manifesto" or other labour disruption!
Happy travels!
Verona Porta Nuova train station is smaller and more manageable than Milan, Rome or Florence. 19 minutes is normally adequate time to connect. If you prefer more connection time, simply ask the ticket agent to book you on an earlier train from Milan to Verona and tell them how much time you want between its arrival and your scheduled departure for Munich. Train ticket prices in Italy are based on type of train and distance travelled, so cost for an earlier train of same type will be the same.