Which to fly into....Milan or Rome?
Aug 21st, 2014, 11:19 AM
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Which to fly into....Milan or Rome?
We are a family of four and one member does not do well flying. When we fly into Italy from North America next fall (2015) which airport is better, stress-wise, Milan or Rome? Where we go after that is not a factor as we have private arrangements and we can use either airport. We will not be staying in either city. I am only interested in the experience at both airports in terms of immigration checks, baggage collection, availability of nearby hotels for a possible rest up day for one of the family members and whether there is a train station situated at the airport such as what's available at London Gatwick or Frankfurt International.
If anyone has any experience in using both airports and can compare the two, that would be great. Again, we are not staying in either city so we are not interested in transportation to downtown hotels or sightseeing. Also, we will not be flying out of either airport so I don't need any info regarding getting to the airport. Thanks and I am posting this on the European forum as well.
Happy travels!
Dale
If anyone has any experience in using both airports and can compare the two, that would be great. Again, we are not staying in either city so we are not interested in transportation to downtown hotels or sightseeing. Also, we will not be flying out of either airport so I don't need any info regarding getting to the airport. Thanks and I am posting this on the European forum as well.
Happy travels!
Dale
Aug 22nd, 2014, 04:08 AM
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I believe the airport in Rome is more appropriate to what you need. It offers more services that the Milan airport and it also has a train station inside the airport from where you can get the Leonardo Express. Best of luck!
Aug 24th, 2014, 02:25 PM
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Milan's Malpensa airport is the busiest airport in Italy and has more nonstop flights from the US. So to be honest, it may be a better bet just because of fewer connections. I've never flown there. I've flown in to Linate and loved it for its proximity to the city and small size. But MXP is a huge, busy airport and isn't particularly user friendly. Having said that, I didn't find the Rome airport particularly good either, and I think you will be hard pressed to find really positive reviews of either.
I don't know your particular family member's problem, but to get to Rome, you might have to connect in either the US or Europe (many flights from the US are seasonal and stop in September or October). There's a train station at the airport, but you might still have to go into Rome depending on your destination. Both Rome and Milan have direct train service to the central stations in the respective cities. Milan has a nice Sheraton right at the airport. I think Rome has a Hilton, but I've never stayed at either.
But it's difficult for me to think that the location of the airport is irrelevant. Milan is in the north, while Rome is much further south. If you were going to Tuscany, for example, Rome would be significantly more convenient. If you were going to the Lakes, Milan would be significantly better.
I don't know your particular family member's problem, but to get to Rome, you might have to connect in either the US or Europe (many flights from the US are seasonal and stop in September or October). There's a train station at the airport, but you might still have to go into Rome depending on your destination. Both Rome and Milan have direct train service to the central stations in the respective cities. Milan has a nice Sheraton right at the airport. I think Rome has a Hilton, but I've never stayed at either.
But it's difficult for me to think that the location of the airport is irrelevant. Milan is in the north, while Rome is much further south. If you were going to Tuscany, for example, Rome would be significantly more convenient. If you were going to the Lakes, Milan would be significantly better.
Aug 24th, 2014, 07:04 PM
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Both have airport hotels. But do you want to stay there? If so, then ignore the rest and see which airport has nicer/better airport hotels and forgetaboutit.
But if you are planning to spend the night in the city, keep this in mind:
FCO has the Leonardo Express train that goes to the main station in Rome Termini, the main train station there. Every half an hour and takes 32 minutes.
MXP has the airport train that gets to Cardona station near central city in just 29 or 36 minutes every half hour, or to the Milano Centrale, the main train station, in 46 or 52 minutes. There's also an airport bus that goes to Centrale, and should be faster than the train.
For other things like immigration and baggage, I don't see how and why one should choose one over the other. Seriously.
But if you are planning to spend the night in the city, keep this in mind:
FCO has the Leonardo Express train that goes to the main station in Rome Termini, the main train station there. Every half an hour and takes 32 minutes.
MXP has the airport train that gets to Cardona station near central city in just 29 or 36 minutes every half hour, or to the Milano Centrale, the main train station, in 46 or 52 minutes. There's also an airport bus that goes to Centrale, and should be faster than the train.
For other things like immigration and baggage, I don't see how and why one should choose one over the other. Seriously.
Aug 25th, 2014, 12:28 PM
#6
It sounds like you are most interested in the airport experience, right? I've flown out of both but only into Milan. I'd rate both airport experiences pretty similarly. The immigration lines can depend on how many flights come in when yours does.
My very strong rec is to upgrade to business if you haven't done so, with miles or however possible for a softer landing and for access to the lounges at both ends of the trip.
Last ditch, if your family member is a nervous wreck ask for a wheelchair at the destination airport. (I got quite ill last year transatlantic and that got me thru much faster, kind of doing it the hard way, though.
My very strong rec is to upgrade to business if you haven't done so, with miles or however possible for a softer landing and for access to the lounges at both ends of the trip.
Last ditch, if your family member is a nervous wreck ask for a wheelchair at the destination airport. (I got quite ill last year transatlantic and that got me thru much faster, kind of doing it the hard way, though.
