Arline

My title just about asks it all, but ... How long does it normally take to get luggage after landing at Malpensa Airport (this is the smaller one, closer in to ctr. of Milan) and then how long is taxi ride to Milan Centrale Train Sta.? Also, someone previously wrote that she was stopped in Austria for not having a special "sticker" on her rental car and was charged an outrageous fine right on the spot. I've not heard of this. Last year we drove there and were never questioned. Anyone else know about this? <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

wes fowler

Arline, <BR>The following is taken from the Austria web site. <BR> <BR>Motorway subject to toll: Austria's motorways and speed roads (also city motorways) are subject to toll. The toll is effected by purchasing a sticker that has to be attached to cars' windscreens. The annual toll is ATS 550. - for automobiles and motor homes (up to 3.5 tons), for motorcycles ATS 220. - For people on holidays 2-month stickers (ATS 150.-) and 1-week stickers (ATS 70.-) are available. <BR> <BR>Infringements of the toll regulation will be punished with an additional charge of ATS 1,100. - or an administrative fine. The toll stickers may be purchased at automobile clubs in Austria and abroad, at petrol stations and stores close to the border as well at post offices, tobacco shops and petrol <BR>stations all over Austria. <BR>

Keith Crossley

At the Austrian border - or to be more accurate, right after the border - there are large signs advising you must have the sticker. Yet I never saw any place where one could actually get the sticker. Luckily (for me) it seems the sticker I got in Switzerland (about $10) is also good in Austria. <BR> <BR>On the usenet rec.travel.europe I also read of people getting fines. I expected to be able to take care of it at the border and didn't see any way to do so. So you'd better check it out further. <BR> <BR>All the same, Austria was a great place to visit (even if briefly). <BR> <BR>Keith

Richard

Three years ago we took the opposite trip, from the rail station to Malpensa, by bus. The trip took about a half hour. <BR>

Sandy

Yes, it is true that Austria requires you to have a special Autoroute sticker on your car if you want to travel on the divided superhighways. No sticker is required to use the regular highways. <BR> <BR>The stickers can be purchased at the Austrian equivalent of the AAA (sorry I can't remember the name of the place) and, if I recall correctly, at the border as well. <BR> <BR>We were stopped for speeding while in Austria and then they discovered that we did not have the special sticker. It was a little tense there for awhile since we were extremely short on cash at the time, but we treated the officers with respect and surrendered the little cash that we did have and they let us off with some stern warnings. <BR> <BR>You can buy the stickers for different time periods so it is possible to only purchase it for the days that you will be traveling in Austria (as opposed to Switzerland where you pay at the border for the entire year). <BR>

Ray Diaz

You better believe that you need a "sticker" when driving in Austrian autobahn, and you better purchase it prior to entry, if you can locate one! They are not sold by border agents. <BR> <BR>Recently, I crossed the border at Lichtenstein, and two miles after crossing the border, I was pulled over by a police road block and got fines for not having a sticker,ATS1,100.00 (US130.00), and for good measure was given another fine for supposedly speeding,ATS300.00 (US30.00). <BR> <BR>Also pay attention to where you park in the cities. If you don't understand German, ask some one if it's legal. <BR> <BR>Attendant at an Information center we stopped at told us that Police often set up at their location to catch unsuspecting tourists, many of them are Americans. <BR> <BR>The Austrians have found an easy revenue producing scheme, which they are taking full advantage of. <BR> <BR>Stickers are required in Germany, Switzerland and the Chezch Repulic, but normally while checking your passport, they will warn you about the sticker requirement at the border crossing, not so in Austria. <BR> <BR>It'll be a while before I return to Austria. <BR> <BR>

Ray Diaz

Keith! I'm glad you saw those big signs advising you must have a sticker. We crossed border at Lichtenstein, but never saw one. My companions were Swiss, fluent in the German language and they didn't see them either. The simple and sensible thing would be for official at the border who checks your passport, to warn you of this requirement. <BR> <BR>I still think it's a conscious effort to generate income. There is not doubt in my mind that border inspector radioed ahead when I was effortlessly stopped by a police patrol a couple of miles down the road.

Penny

Hi! Be advised that Malpensa Airport is NOT the airport that is close in to the city!! Malpensa is located about 45min. outside of Milan, and if you are arriving early in the morning, count on traffic to slow up your drive into the city. If you are trying to catch a train at Milan Centrale allow yourself plenty of time! Have a good time!

Carol

<BR>Penny's right. It could easily take over an hour to travel from Malpensa airport to Centrale train station. However, the bus is good, comfortable and much cheaper than taxi. I well remember my ride back to Malpensa in December 1995 in a snowstorm.

Kam

Lianate is the other close in airport in Milan. Malpensa is the International one----can you appreciate the translation??? Anyway, Depending on the time you arrive, I would take a taxi and figure at least an hour to reach the Central Station. The station is not in the tourist downtown part of Milan! In Milan, I wouldn't try to deal with the buses unless I had to--taxis are plentiful and know where they are going. <BR>