Train - Milan to Nice
Jun 28th, 2015, 05:39 AM
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Train - Milan to Nice
Hello again, to those of you that continue to help the trip take form (many thanks again).
We arrive on Friday, July 16 to MXP at 6am. I looked at the Trenitalia website for the schedule to get from Milan to Nice (connecting in Ventimiglia). Is this the best route to take or is there a faster direct?
My other questions in trying to plan our travels,
* I understand there is a shuttle that runs frequently from MXP to Milan Central. If we are arriving at 6am (assuming no delay), with customs and luggage, what time would we conservatively arrive from the MXP shuttle to the train station in Milan? What time does the shuttle service to Milan start in the morning from MXP?
* For some reason when I tried to make a booking to look at the schedule the route from Milan to Nice only shows 7:05am (impossible for us) & 11:10am as the next earliest possible option. However, when I looked at a booking for Milan to Ventimiglia only, there is a 9:10am option that shows up. Why the difference?...and why does this time not show when looking at Milan-Nice trains? What am I missing here?...
* Is it best to book in advance on-line? Or is it fine to purchase at the stations? Is there usually a big cost difference? do some of the trains sell out during peak times?
* Is the round trip booking generally a saving rather than 1 way tickets? I am not sure our exact return date yet to Milan.
* Also, please forgive my ignorance, What is the difference for 1st/2nd classe seating? And what are the differences for Adult/Standard, Smart, & Go options?
thanks in advance,
S
We arrive on Friday, July 16 to MXP at 6am. I looked at the Trenitalia website for the schedule to get from Milan to Nice (connecting in Ventimiglia). Is this the best route to take or is there a faster direct?
My other questions in trying to plan our travels,
* I understand there is a shuttle that runs frequently from MXP to Milan Central. If we are arriving at 6am (assuming no delay), with customs and luggage, what time would we conservatively arrive from the MXP shuttle to the train station in Milan? What time does the shuttle service to Milan start in the morning from MXP?
* For some reason when I tried to make a booking to look at the schedule the route from Milan to Nice only shows 7:05am (impossible for us) & 11:10am as the next earliest possible option. However, when I looked at a booking for Milan to Ventimiglia only, there is a 9:10am option that shows up. Why the difference?...and why does this time not show when looking at Milan-Nice trains? What am I missing here?...
* Is it best to book in advance on-line? Or is it fine to purchase at the stations? Is there usually a big cost difference? do some of the trains sell out during peak times?
* Is the round trip booking generally a saving rather than 1 way tickets? I am not sure our exact return date yet to Milan.
* Also, please forgive my ignorance, What is the difference for 1st/2nd classe seating? And what are the differences for Adult/Standard, Smart, & Go options?
thanks in advance,
S
Jun 28th, 2015, 06:41 AM
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If you flight is on time, you should be able to make the 11:10, though personally I would not book any train tickets for my arrival day ahead of time--anything might happen. There can be a big cost savings booking ahead, but often those discounts are on nonrefundable tickets. If you miss the train you lose the money. Roundtrip does not save money--it is just booking two one-way tickets, though each one-way ticket might have individual discounts.
Trenitalia is just showing Thello trains--service that travels in both Italy and France. If you check on the French rail site (or use the bahn.de), you will find local french trains between Ventimiglia and Nice--looks like every half hour.
This website will explain a lot about your actual train questions: http://www.seat61.com/
A general description: First class has fewer, wider seats and is usually less crowded.
Trenitalia is just showing Thello trains--service that travels in both Italy and France. If you check on the French rail site (or use the bahn.de), you will find local french trains between Ventimiglia and Nice--looks like every half hour.
This website will explain a lot about your actual train questions: http://www.seat61.com/
A general description: First class has fewer, wider seats and is usually less crowded.
Jun 28th, 2015, 06:47 AM
#3
The 7:05 and 11:10 trains are direct. The 9:10 train requires a change in Ventimiglia - you'll spend nearly half an hour waiting for the connection. On the other hand, one of those will be a regional train and cheaper.
I would not expect buying a return ticket to be cheaper, but as with airlines, the price will go up as the cheaper seats sell out (although not for regional trains).
For info on things like first vs second class and how to buy tickets, see seat61.com
I would not expect buying a return ticket to be cheaper, but as with airlines, the price will go up as the cheaper seats sell out (although not for regional trains).
For info on things like first vs second class and how to buy tickets, see seat61.com
Jun 28th, 2015, 09:03 AM
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Is this the best route to take or is there a faster direct?>
Yes the few daily Thello trains (www.thello.com) are the ony direct Milan to Nice trains and well worth trying to time to take as changing at Ventimgilia as is required on all other links which do go about hourly is a pain and much slower.
check these sites for lots of goodies on European trains including first vs 2nd class: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com. There is a singificant difference between classes and I always after decades of European rail travel advocate for first class especially for folks with luggage - lots more room to easily stow luggage there - probably IME empty seats to put it on - bigger seats - a significant difference well worth the money for folks on the trip of a lifetime.
Yes the few daily Thello trains (www.thello.com) are the ony direct Milan to Nice trains and well worth trying to time to take as changing at Ventimgilia as is required on all other links which do go about hourly is a pain and much slower.
check these sites for lots of goodies on European trains including first vs 2nd class: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com. There is a singificant difference between classes and I always after decades of European rail travel advocate for first class especially for folks with luggage - lots more room to easily stow luggage there - probably IME empty seats to put it on - bigger seats - a significant difference well worth the money for folks on the trip of a lifetime.
Jun 28th, 2015, 09:03 AM
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Is this the best route to take or is there a faster direct?>
Yes the few daily Thello trains (www.thello.com) are the ony direct Milan to Nice trains and well worth trying to time to take as changing at Ventimgilia as is required on all other links which do go about hourly is a pain and much slower.
check these sites for lots of goodies on European trains including first vs 2nd class: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com. There is a singificant difference between classes and I always after decades of European rail travel advocate for first class especially for folks with luggage - lots more room to easily stow luggage there - probably IME empty seats to put it on - bigger seats - a significant difference well worth the money for folks on the trip of a lifetime.
Yes the few daily Thello trains (www.thello.com) are the ony direct Milan to Nice trains and well worth trying to time to take as changing at Ventimgilia as is required on all other links which do go about hourly is a pain and much slower.
check these sites for lots of goodies on European trains including first vs 2nd class: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com. There is a singificant difference between classes and I always after decades of European rail travel advocate for first class especially for folks with luggage - lots more room to easily stow luggage there - probably IME empty seats to put it on - bigger seats - a significant difference well worth the money for folks on the trip of a lifetime.
Jun 28th, 2015, 02:27 PM
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Well be sure to book as early as possible for those 29 euro fares or so - much cheaper than just showing up and paying much much more - again the Thello site for direct trains and www.trenitalia.com for trains to Ventimiglia - the French trains from there to Nice are regional commuter trains - just buy a ticket at Ventimiglia - flat low fare - no reason to book or even possible to do so in advance I think.
Jun 29th, 2015, 10:24 AM
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If you want flexibility and not have to book early you'll find regional trains on the Milan-Genoa-Ventimgilia route that have a flat fare - no savings for booking in advance - Thello walk-up fares are much higher but the regional trains also take a lot longer and have that that nagging change in Ventimiglia.
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