nooriskandar

Dear all,

my trip just got a major shift. We dropped Brussels and Amsterdam since my aunt and sis prefer Venice and Swiss so it is London-Paris-Switzerland(TBC where exactly)-Venice before I continue solo.

I need assistance regarding this little roadblock. My sis and aunt would be departing back to Singapore from Milan Malpensa Airport on the morning of 25th October (Sat) , 11am.

I understand that the journey from Venezia via train is around 2.5-3.5h variant and they still need a shuttle from the train station to the airport.

Does anyone have any experience on this route? Will it be in a rush to catch the first train from Venice and on the 25th itself or catch an overnight service(problem being wouldn't that be quite a stretch for a relatively short ride)? Milan is not part of our trip, just a stepping stone, should they leave on the 24th and overnight in a hotel in Milan? I would wanna avoid this last option because it would be a waste to just stay there for a night without getting to tour the city. Furthermore, I foresee myself going to Salzburg from Venice, so I don't think I should waste my time going to Milan with them.

Hope to hear your advice.

Thanks in advance.

Isk

adrienne

Definitely stay in Milan the night before or at an airport hotel and leave Venice late in the day. I would not risk the train trip on the day of departure.

There is no night train between Venice and Milan.

No reason for you go to Milan with them if you're not leaving from there.

sandralist

They need to go Milan the night before. They need to pass through security at the airport, and thus be there by 9am. They really can't make their flight leaving Venice that morning. It takes more than an hour to transfer from the Milan train station to Malpensa.

All this week huge thunderstorms have been dropping tons of water all along the train lines and roadways between Venice and Milan. Anybody trying to make that trip faced a lot of delays. So they need to be sensible, and give themselves a safe margin to deal with surprises.

NYCFoodSnob

<i><font color=#555555>"Does anyone have any experience on this route?"</font></i>

There are thousands of people who have experience with this route. All you need to do is search this site or use Google, but I have a hunch you already knew that.

The 5:40 train out of Venice will not get you to MXP at least two hours before the departure flight. If extremely lucky, you might be able to get to MXP by 10 AM, but every single detail would have to work like a Swiss watch. I would never take that gamble.

The only choice you have for a stress-free departure: send your aunt and sis to Milan to spend the night there. There are numerous hotel choices within walking distance of the train station, and a reliable, affordable bus and train option to MXP.

sandralist

PS: Have they researched the possibility of switching their flights to leave from Venice?

nooriskandar

Whoa, you guys are wicked fast. Such a concensus then. I'll break a few days for Milan, might as well. So I guess I'll sacrifice and leave for Austria from Milan instead. I must have overlooked that there are no overnight train for that route

NYCfoosSNOB, yes I googled, hence I kinda figured that. Just need a reassurance on the worth of a gamble. I noted too that the airport in Milan is pretty far away from the central train station yes? I don't mind leaving them on their own but a bit concerned how they would manage with the transfers in Milan etc.

Sandralist- That was the first thing I wanted to do but unfortunately Singapore Airlines does not fly into/out of Venice. Such a surprise. And we can't change airlines because of SQ flight vouchers.


Thank you!!

NYCFoodSnob

Milan's MXP is notorious for being too far away from the city center. The cost of private car or taxi to MXP from Milan's city center is also notorious.

Most of my experience with Milan is for business. I've been going to Milan since the early 80's. There is a lot to see and do, and the weather in Oct can be lovely. However, if I had a choice, I'd prefer to live in Venice.

You would be a gentleman to escort your sis and aunt, at least to get them on the transport to the airport. Altering your plans to depart from MXP would be icing on the gentleman's cake.

NYCFoodSnob

Singapore Airlines is one of my favorites. Sometimes, an airline is worth a little inconvenience.

sandralist

nooriskander,

I have a nephew and a husband and I would not think any more highly of them if they wasted their time taking me to the airport. That is not the measure of a gentleman in my book.

Malpensa is not any further away from the city center than most urban airports. It is easier to get to Malpensa in an hour than it would be from Venice, London, Paris or New York, etc etc.

Milan is a business city and there is nothing complicated about getting on a bus to Malpensa airport from Milan. It is as simple as pie. I am sure they don't need your help unless they are very foolish people who carry way too much luggage. Even then, I think you don't own them anything.

But only hysterics have a hard time with Milan. It is quite easy for most people.

NYCFoodSnob

I thoroughly enjoy contradicting sandralist, because I often don't recognize her strange and bizarre world.

Wanting to perform a good deed has nothing to do with paying a debt. IMO, "I think you don't owe them anything" is a very selfish way to view the world and no way to treat an aunt and sister who depend on you (if that's the case). I would never allow my aunt to take on this first-time diversion all by herself. If you have complete confidence in your sister, than that's a different consideration.

I know numerous people who find the size and scope of Milano Centrale intimidating. Of course it's quite easy for many people, especially the experienced, but it's often very disconcerting for a first-timer, especially if you're timid about seeking answers to questions, and you don't have a command of the local language.

Sassafrass

Unless the Aunt is ancient and decrepit (and I know younger people see us as old and decrepit long before we ourselves do) or the sister has some issues, they should have no problem making their way from train to shuttle to airport. At 70, DH and I are perfectly capable of getting ourselves to an airport. I would not need or want my kids or anyone else holding my hand - different if they wanted to go to Milan anyway. However, if customs dictate the Aunt and sister to be accompanied, that is another consideration.

socaltraveler

I will run the risk of being called out for my personal preferences again, but you might also consider having your aunt and sister stay at a hotel near Malpensa the night before. Several have shuttles and could pick them up at the airport ( take train from Milano Centrale to airport) and return them the next morning, a 5-10 minute drive. We have stayed at, and recommend, the First Hotel.

Sassafrass

Excellent advice from Socoltraveler.

Sassafrass

Sorry, from Socaltraveler.

nooriskandar

Wow, you guys are an interesting bunch.Thanks for all the input.

So say I decide to go ahead with them to Milan one day before so there is ample time for sightseeing for a bit before we sleep in, do you reckon I should book a hotel near the city centre?

I know the First Hotel is very convenient but I feel it is very out of the way if we wanna spend some time at the centre for a short day.

Option 1: Depart from Venice around 10am. Arrive noon at centrale station. Take a cab to hotel near center. Walk around center till night. Sleep. Now, it is best I find a hotel at a particular metro station or bus shuttle area to the airport early next morning right? Or do I just hail a cab?
Is there a place near the city where I can consider all three options?

_______________________

The other option is of course as some of you suggested, let my family be more independent. I think they might be capable, just me being overtly concerned.

If I stay in Venice and send them off to the train station.
What is the most SIMPLE instruction to give them upon reaching Milan?

Maybe i should just book a late evening train for them. Once reached the milano centrale station, ask them to get a caease of this?) straight to First Hotel and just rest well for their hotel-airport transfer tomorrow morning and we are all happy?

socaltraveler

I would only advise First Hotel if you do NOT plan to spend a day touring Milan; it is good for spending the last night before a flight if you are bypassing Milan itself.

nooriskandar

Brilliant. Thanks to all the responses, I've figured something out.

I will escort my aunt and sis all the way to the First Hotel. Furthermore the rate for 3 person is very expensive. I've been entrusted by the family to look after them and I thought it would only feel right on my part.

My plan:

1)Take a morning train from Venice to Milan.
2)Once reached, we will venture out directly to First Hotel for check in. (I have to figure out the best way to get there with all the luggages unless we hail the very expensive cab all the way there)
3)Get them checked in and book the shuttle tomorrow morning for them ( i heard there is a charge for shuttle though, meh)
4)Figure a way to get back to train station, I believe bus would be the cheapest and easiest since I am alone.
5)Get the late evening train back to Venice.

VOILA.

I think financial wise it is very cheap cause I found the Milan-Venice vice versa for 9euros. I don't mind getting worn out a little and I get to see Milan for a little bit. Maybe I should just get the earliest ticket so I can buy time for myself at the city center before going back to Venice.


Sounds like a plan right guys?

Sassafrass

What are they going to do all afternoon and evening at the hotel? Would they not rather be out in Milan for the afternoon or evening? I always feel it is such a waste to sit around a hotel for hours my last evening when there are lovely things to explore nearby. Unless the hotel has a fabulous pool and it is very hot, if I must go to an airport or nearby hotel, I either check in early and head out to explore or check in very late, just when I am ready for bed.

socaltraveler

The directions for reaching The First Hotel assume you are coming by car; your plan has certain built in problems. Checking in early for your relatives leaves them with a lot of time in an area near the airport where there is nothing to do. You could get them there by taking the airport express train from Milano Centrale, and ask the the hotel shuttle to pick you up, perhaps the hotel shuttle would return you back to the airport to get the airport train back to Milan. The hotel did not charge for the shuttle when we were there in May.

ellenem

I agree with Sassafrass that your new plan to escort them to First Hotel will be unpleasant for you AND for them.

If you want to offer your aunt and sister some help, this plan might be more pleasant for ALL parties:
1) Take a morning train from Venice to Milano Centrale.
2) While at the station, help your sister and aunt verify the location of the MXP train and/or bus, depending on which they plan to use to reach MXP. If possible, purchase tickets to make their morning easier.
3) Go to their hotel IN MILAN and check in. (Choose a hotel near Milano Centrale.)
4) Enjoy an afternoon and early dinner together in Milan.
5) Get the late evening train back to Venice.