3 hours or so in Milano (quick stopover)
 

Hi, folks!

As i said before, im going to spend a wonderful time in Italy next September. So excited =)
Well, my itinerary is 100% ok by now, but i have to change trains in Milano because apparently there's no way you can't scape Milano Centrale station during a 2 week tour in Italy.

So, here it goes: i'll leave Bergamo Alta in the morning and i have booked already my train ticket from Milano Centrale to Torino at 2pm. This means i'll arrive at Milano at around 11am or so, leaving me three hours in the city.

I don't plan to do much with this little time i have, so i'm asking you guys for smart tips to enjoy a nice coffee/snack/lunch/drink/sightseeing. Im not naive to do ALL OF THESE, its just a little relax in between trains.

What i am worried so far:
- leave my luggage in Milano Centrale, since you guys already told me there might be long lines to leave and to take them. Well, i don't want spend my piccola milanese morning on a line.
- Milano Centrale itself: from that ive read, it's a chaotic station, so i arrive there 40 minutes in advance to my train
- The distance to Duomo area itself: do you think i should take the subway, since google maps tell me that its a 40 minutes walk?

What i am considering:
- Duomo's roof, if the day is clear. This would be impossible with my luggage, right?
- a drink in Camparino, in Galleria Emanuelle. Too crowded?
- a nice walk around Brera area. Any ideas?
- any more idea?

More info: i should be there on FRIDAY. this means it would be more crowded than usual, right? Subways, street and Milano Centrale too, right?

Thanks =))
I plan to visit Milano properly on a next trip to Italia, so i don't bother

If you take the subway, you are supposed to also buy a ticket for your luggage, but I'm not sure anyone does.

No, it does NOT mean it will be more crowded and since people are limited to actual platform access the place seems a lot less chaotic than it used to.

I'm not a big morning person, but even I could get from Bergamo to Milan earlier than 11:00a. Just sayin'.

Deposit your luggage at the station if you want to go to the roof of the Duomo. I very much doubt you'd be allowed to take your luggage up the elevator. Also, whether you buy a ticket for your luggage on the metro or not, the cars are often so crowded that you might not feel comfortable boarding with more than just one small bag.

I can't think of anything between the Centrale station and the Duomo that would make walking the route preferable. I'd take the metro.

I don't feel the Milano Centrale station is chaotic so much as huge.

What you do with your limited time is your call. My interests would take me to the Duomo, Galleria, La Scala Museum, Castello Sforzesco, and the Last Supper (although you're probably too late for tickets).

Dukey, that's great news. Large crowds+luggages+train stations are never a great combo. Maybe i should the 30 minutes in advance, then?

Kybourbon, i was not aware with this luggage ticket. From what i read, it's 1,50 euros for every luggage bigger than 50cm (longest dimension). That's bad, mine is about 80cm or so. Anyways, good to know, thanks =)

Jean, thanks for your reply. i plan to arrive at Milano at 11am - that allows me leave Bergamo at 10am, right? Maybe i could catch the earlier train, at 9h20 - that's an option i should consider, also...from what i see, it takes me half an hour from my hotel to the station. I should consider this, since its a regional ticket.

Thing is: i am going to decide my itinerary the morning i leave Bergamo so, the more i read about Milano options, the easier are my choices.

Sounds like it's a smarter choice to use the luggage deposit, then. Lack of space in a metro is not great at all.

Oh, i'll pass the Last Supper and leave it to my next trip to Italia =)

i think the duomo rooftop is fantastic. however, if you check your bags at the station, leave extra time to retrieve them. i've been stuck in lines that had me sweating like crazy!

Thanks, kawh. I guess the rooftop might be the best idea, since a love bird's eye views. I can check Milan from the top and then have a nice drink. This could fill my 2/3 hours window.

From what i read, sounds like it's a line-free atraction, that's also good.

One last thing: how long did you stay in this line at this time? If you were me, how much time in advance would you arrive in Milano Centrale?

IMO, being on the roof of the Duomo is not so much about the view of the city (although it's very nice) but rather the view of how the building was constructed, what all those gargoyles, statues and decorative elements look like up-close, how the drainage works, etc. I also thought the inside of the Duomo was worth visiting. When we were last there, the organist was practicing. Amazing sound coming out of those big pipes.

A few facts about the Duomo:

https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/mi...an-duomo-facts

And some great photos:

http://architectism.com/the-stunning...lan-cathedral/

I recommend getting to Milan earlier than 11 am to be safe. The ride from Bergamo to Milano Centrale is about 50 minutes. Once you drop your bag, take the yellow line to the Duomo stop (I believe it's the fourth stop). I never had to leave my bag at the station, but take the advice of others and allow extra time to retrieve them. The galleria, duomo and La Scala are all close to each other. There are many places to eat for lunch. You won't have time to do much but at least you won't sitting the station.

I don't think Milano Centrale is chaotic but it is quite large and you will certainly get your exercise walking.

Buon Viaggio. BTW, I am returning to Italy in November and spending some more time in Milan.

agree with jean. the view from duomo is good, but it's just such an amazing close-up of that wedding-cake artwork!! many, many options for a quick bite around there... maybe post separately for favorite take-away spots right there....

Leave Bergamo either at 8.02 in order to have 5 hrs for a somewhat decent short visit of Milan city center or at 12.23, just in time for the 14.05 train to Turin.

There was a big discussion in the last year or so about the luggage situation at Centrale. I'm not sure the person that was planning to use it ever responded. The larger train stations have luggage storage rooms where you may have to stand in line to drop off or retrieve. Your luggage is typically weighed, you must show ID, etc. I think in the last few years much of the luggage storage has been outsourced to KiPoint, but not at all stations so service may vary. It's not been unheard of people at some large stations being in line an hour over the years. YMMV

http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/serv.../left-luggage1

>>>Kybourbon, i was not aware with this luggage ticket. From what i read, it's 1,50<<<

I think most tourists are unaware, but it's been listed on the Milan transport website for years. I haven't heard any complaints on this board of anyone being stopped and asked for their luggage ticket.

Well, thank you all...sounds like i can now manage my time better.

I guess i will take the train in Bergamo at 9am or earlier (i can leave this decision for later), leave my luggage and take the yellow line straight to the Duomo.

- The Duomo rooftop sounds like a perfect idea, i love it already. One hour should be enough to pay the entrance/go up/enjoy without any hurry/go down?
- I will leave the luggage at Kipoint, but i didn't find the following info: those huge lines were usual BEFORE Kipoint or they are a reality til now?
- I think i should be at Centrale at 1pm, since my train leaves at 2pm. Too early? Am i worrying too much?

Any tips are welcome =))

This is why I don't buy train tickets in advance in a situation like this. Fare discounts are nice, but so is a worry-free visit.

Hope it all goes well for you. I like Milan!

Jean, i was checking your links, thanks so much!

Well, i don't like to buy tickers in advance also, but yeah, the discounts were nice.
Anyways, i'll make my way to Centrale at 1pm and well, if i lose the train ill pick the next one - it's not that bad. Also, it doesn't look like i'll be boring if i have to wait too long, since Centrale looks stunning in the pictures and personaly i love train stations.

...i'm looking for a worry-free trip, actually. That's why i'm asking so many questions - so i can have my negroni in peace, once in Milano =)

"negroni in peace".... well, you will be just a block from Cioccolati Italiani and, while too crowded and terribly expensive... it's some fine, fine gelato. among my favs. (don't forget to have them fill your cone with melted chocolate first-- no charge.)

negroni in peace was probably a bad portuguese/english translation lol
i checked their website and ive already wanna order one of those gelatos...thanks so much for this tip!