Naples to Milan, train or plane?
Mar 1st, 2015, 07:11 AM
#1
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Naples to Milan, train or plane?
I am trying to decide if we should take the train from Naples to Milan or book a flight? We are coming in July and can afford either one. If we should take a train should we take the fast train?
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
Mar 1st, 2015, 07:20 AM
#4
The Trenitalia fast train Naples/Milan takes 4:15. I don't think you could transport yourself to the airport, check in (an hour before departure?), fly, retrieve luggage (are you checking luggage?), transport into Milan (Malpensa airport is a distance away). The train stations are in the city centers so likely easily reached from your hotels. No check in procedures except to hop on the train, stow your luggage in the racks and find your seat.
Mar 1st, 2015, 07:39 AM
#6
The fast trains in Italy are wonderful and worth the money!
You can usually buy tickets online 90 days (or more) ahead. You can use www.trenitalia.com or www.italiarail.com (the latter site charges a very small markup).
IMO First is worth the additional cost because there are fewer seats in the same-sized car (as used for Second).
You can usually buy tickets online 90 days (or more) ahead. You can use www.trenitalia.com or www.italiarail.com (the latter site charges a very small markup).
IMO First is worth the additional cost because there are fewer seats in the same-sized car (as used for Second).
Mar 1st, 2015, 08:34 AM
#9
>>>How far in advance should we buy our tickets?<<<
Trenitalia allows purchase of fast trains 120 days in advance. Schedules change 2nd weekend in June (summer schedule) and 2nd weekend in Dec. (winter schedule). It's too early to buy July. Trenitalia is just now in the process of loading summer schedules. Advance purchase discount tickets can sell out (there's a limited number) and then you would pay regular price (base price). Base price will be the same whether you buy 120 days in advance or right before boarding the train. They don't fluctuate like airline tickets. This is 2nd class on Trenitalia fast trains.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg
1st class on Trenitalia is similar, but only 3 seats across instead of 4. The seats also have a different fabric.
2nd class (standard class) prices for your route:
29€ - supereconomy fare
49€ - economy fare
95€ - full fare
All seats/amenities are the same within a fare class
1st class (business)
49€ - supereconomy
89€ - economy
133€ - full fare
Note that premium class listed on this run is considered 2nd class, not 1st/business. You are paying extra for a different fabric on the seat and welcome beverage (not alcohol)in this class. The price is 10-20€ above regular 2nd cl.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...005817f90aRCRD
Italo Treno operates trains on this route also, but uses a different Milan station (Garibaldi) than Trenitalia (Trenitalia uses Milan Centrale), but it is still central to Milan. Their trains that don't involve changes and make the fewest stops take about 4:30. They don't have any of their summer schedules listed yet, but once they do, you can book with them all the way through the end of the schedule which would be Dec. You can look at their various classes on their website as they have an interactive tool that will let you move through the cars.
http://www.italotreno.it/EN/Pages/default.aspx
Trenitalia allows purchase of fast trains 120 days in advance. Schedules change 2nd weekend in June (summer schedule) and 2nd weekend in Dec. (winter schedule). It's too early to buy July. Trenitalia is just now in the process of loading summer schedules. Advance purchase discount tickets can sell out (there's a limited number) and then you would pay regular price (base price). Base price will be the same whether you buy 120 days in advance or right before boarding the train. They don't fluctuate like airline tickets. This is 2nd class on Trenitalia fast trains.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg
1st class on Trenitalia is similar, but only 3 seats across instead of 4. The seats also have a different fabric.
2nd class (standard class) prices for your route:
29€ - supereconomy fare
49€ - economy fare
95€ - full fare
All seats/amenities are the same within a fare class
1st class (business)
49€ - supereconomy
89€ - economy
133€ - full fare
Note that premium class listed on this run is considered 2nd class, not 1st/business. You are paying extra for a different fabric on the seat and welcome beverage (not alcohol)in this class. The price is 10-20€ above regular 2nd cl.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...005817f90aRCRD
Italo Treno operates trains on this route also, but uses a different Milan station (Garibaldi) than Trenitalia (Trenitalia uses Milan Centrale), but it is still central to Milan. Their trains that don't involve changes and make the fewest stops take about 4:30. They don't have any of their summer schedules listed yet, but once they do, you can book with them all the way through the end of the schedule which would be Dec. You can look at their various classes on their website as they have an interactive tool that will let you move through the cars.
http://www.italotreno.it/EN/Pages/default.aspx
Mar 1st, 2015, 08:44 AM
#10
You will see some other fare choices on Trenitalia, but you probably won't want to book them. Executive is like a meeting room. Business silenzio is a quiet car, etc.
On Trenitalia, select your cities and a date in the next few months(since July isn't loaded yet) so you can view all the fare choice possibilities. Once you are on the fare screen, you can mouse over the various i's below each fare class and the info will pop up.
The fares I listed are current. It's possible there could be some fare changes for the summer schedule and new or different promo discounts. The general timetables change little although some trains are added to certain routes in summer. Currently, there is 2 for 1 discount on Saturday so if your travel is that day, you might snag a bargain.
On Trenitalia, select your cities and a date in the next few months(since July isn't loaded yet) so you can view all the fare choice possibilities. Once you are on the fare screen, you can mouse over the various i's below each fare class and the info will pop up.
The fares I listed are current. It's possible there could be some fare changes for the summer schedule and new or different promo discounts. The general timetables change little although some trains are added to certain routes in summer. Currently, there is 2 for 1 discount on Saturday so if your travel is that day, you might snag a bargain.
Mar 1st, 2015, 08:52 AM
#12
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If you still care, I've flown from Naples to Milan and would probably prefer it over the fast train, even though I take the fast trains all the time and love them, and even though both Milan airports require additional ground transport to get to the city center. (The cab ride to Naples airport is very quick.)
The reason I would probably fly is because the fast trains vibrate enough at the highest speeds that they can unsettle my stomach after about an hour or so. Four hours of it would be a bit dreary.
If I did take the train, I would definitely spring for business class silent car.
The reason I would probably fly is because the fast trains vibrate enough at the highest speeds that they can unsettle my stomach after about an hour or so. Four hours of it would be a bit dreary.
If I did take the train, I would definitely spring for business class silent car.
Mar 1st, 2015, 08:59 AM
#13
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This is a no-brainer for anyone on a relaxed vacation not a business trip - unless perhaps you are connecting into or out of a long haul-flight.
Just take the train, 4h15 relaxing city centre to city centre through the countryside at up to 186mph from as little as 29 euros ($35?).
It makes no sense to schlep to an airport by train, then go through all the security and liquids nonsense, then take a flight, then take a bus, just for a simple intra-Italy journey that could easily be done overland by train.
Book your train at either www.trenitalia.com or with competing operator www.italotreno.it
Just take the train, 4h15 relaxing city centre to city centre through the countryside at up to 186mph from as little as 29 euros ($35?).
It makes no sense to schlep to an airport by train, then go through all the security and liquids nonsense, then take a flight, then take a bus, just for a simple intra-Italy journey that could easily be done overland by train.
Book your train at either www.trenitalia.com or with competing operator www.italotreno.it
Mar 1st, 2015, 10:20 AM
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It's only a "no brainer" if you have a mental block against flying or don't have a brain to begin with.
It was completely relaxing to take a cab to the airport, sit in the lounge reading for an hour, take the 90=minute flight -- it was a beautiful day, with great views out the window -- and then land and take the bus into Milan centrale (there was no train then but now it's an option). In terms of time, the flight was a little bit faster than the train would have been, but not enough to influence the decision.
There is always some hassle with whatever transportation you choose -- like watching out for pickpockets in both Naples and Milan train station, or cell phone chatterers on the long train rides in Italy. I don't have a big "whip" about not carrying liquids into an airport; That wouldn't make me pass up a comfortable Easy Jet plane flight.
The train is not ALWAYS the most comfortable and relaxing option for EVERYBODY. Only people with an agenda or no imagination post things like that. Sure, most people would take the train and probably most people would get the cheapest seat. A handful of other people would figure: this is MY vacation and I am going to make myself comfortable.
I fly inter-Italy very often. It's the brainy things to do!
It was completely relaxing to take a cab to the airport, sit in the lounge reading for an hour, take the 90=minute flight -- it was a beautiful day, with great views out the window -- and then land and take the bus into Milan centrale (there was no train then but now it's an option). In terms of time, the flight was a little bit faster than the train would have been, but not enough to influence the decision.
There is always some hassle with whatever transportation you choose -- like watching out for pickpockets in both Naples and Milan train station, or cell phone chatterers on the long train rides in Italy. I don't have a big "whip" about not carrying liquids into an airport; That wouldn't make me pass up a comfortable Easy Jet plane flight.
The train is not ALWAYS the most comfortable and relaxing option for EVERYBODY. Only people with an agenda or no imagination post things like that. Sure, most people would take the train and probably most people would get the cheapest seat. A handful of other people would figure: this is MY vacation and I am going to make myself comfortable.
I fly inter-Italy very often. It's the brainy things to do!
Mar 1st, 2015, 12:18 PM
#16
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I meant to add that my flight from Naples to Milan was pretty much full, and not only with business travelers or people switching to other flights at that terminal. All those other people surely knew the train was there if they wanted to take it to get to Milan. Perhaps like me, the long distance fast trains can be hard on their stomachs or the train departure and arrival times were inconvenient.
Mar 1st, 2015, 03:14 PM
#17
I would prefer the train, but I've never noticed any vibration at all on the fast trains in Italy. Take some wine and food, enjoy the scenery whizzing by.
While Easy Jet is better than some of the other budget airlines, they can still be a hassle about check-in and luggage restrictions.
>>>I meant to add that my flight from Naples to Milan was pretty much full, and not only with business travelers or people switching to other flights at that terminal. <<<<
How would you know where everyone on a flight was going once they reached Milan? I've had chatty seatmates comment on their plans rarely, but I've never known where they rest of people on my flights are going once we land.
>>>What you are ALSO paying for in First is ROOM.<<<
I don't see where anyone said you weren't. Are you talking about my comment on Premium (Premium is not 1st class)? If so, the seats in Premium are the exact same size as Standard 2nd class.
While Easy Jet is better than some of the other budget airlines, they can still be a hassle about check-in and luggage restrictions.
>>>I meant to add that my flight from Naples to Milan was pretty much full, and not only with business travelers or people switching to other flights at that terminal. <<<<
How would you know where everyone on a flight was going once they reached Milan? I've had chatty seatmates comment on their plans rarely, but I've never known where they rest of people on my flights are going once we land.
>>>What you are ALSO paying for in First is ROOM.<<<
I don't see where anyone said you weren't. Are you talking about my comment on Premium (Premium is not 1st class)? If so, the seats in Premium are the exact same size as Standard 2nd class.
