Mimar

I would never take a train across Italy for a same day flight. Trains are often late. Also strikes are not uncommon, sometimes with no warning.

The last time I took a train in Italy (Nice to Camogli on the Ligurian coast), we were rerouted because somebody committed suicide by jumping in front of a train. They made announcements in Italian. Some English-speakers took pity on us and explained what had happened. On the way back, there was a power outage or something. The train sat for an hour and a half.

Now these occurrences are unlikely, but do you want to take a chance on missing your flight? Can you afford to buy another full-price ticket?

Now that I've rained on your parade, I love Venice and would encourage you to spend as much time as you can there.

LoveItaly

Here is a website I got from Google Ohdonnaoh. If you scroll down you will see that this website states a taxi will cost about 70euro. Please keep in mind that Italian websites are not always up to date so the fare could be more.

http://www.airport-desk.com/airports...a-airport.html

Ohdonnaoh, personally I agree with Mimar. I would never rely on the trains in Italy on the day of my departing flight. As I suggested to you on your other thread I would take the train from Venice to Milan late afternoon on Saturday, stay at a hotel near the train station Saturday night and have a lovely dinner in Milan Saturday evening. You could of course then take the Malpensa Shuttle bus to the airport Sunday morning without any worries or stress. Best regards.

Ohdonnaoh

Now I'm torn...

On the one hand I don't want to risk it, on the other, I do want more time in Venice, and they offered us the 4th night free, which is a very nice deal, saving me the cost of another hotel in Milan... Also, I would love to take one morning train ride, not both at night...

Any other opinions?

LoveItaly

Hello Ohdonnaoh, I can appreciate your situation. You will "probably" be all right with the 6:30am train but if you are not..well new one way tickets to fly home would be a horrendous price.

I was thinking you could rent a car to get from Venice to Malpensa (I have no idea what a once day rental fee would cost) but am almost certain an auto rental office would not be open real early on a Sunday morning. But perhaps some other Fodorite could comment on that or you could use Google.

The only other thought I can think of is to hire a car and driver but that would cost a fortunate so am sure that would not be a good solution.

Here is the website for the numerous car rental agencies located at the San Marco Venice Airport if you want to check to see if any of them open up real early on a Sunday morning.


http://www.veniceairport.com/page/se...car?m=01020401

Do note Ohdonnaoh, the autostrada between Venice and Milan can get real bad low heavy fog in November which make it miserable to drive and there are sometimes bad auto accidents.

I don't want to sound negative but it is important to know all the pros and cons especially since this is your first experience in Italy. My wish, and everyone elses is that you have a safe and beautiful and relaxing trip.

Again, if I were in your shoes I would train back to Milan Saturday afternoon under the circumstances. But no doubt others would take the early morning Sunday train. We all have different "comfort" zones which makes a difference with our travel decisions.

Ohdonnaoh

Thanks so much for your concerns - will consider it and wait for other opinions - you are right, don't want to really risk it.

nytraveler

Three days is NOTT to much for Venice - esp if you do some of the outer islands. We much prefer Torcello to Burano - and much more than Murano - which is just SO commercial.

pokaapokaa

Venice is small but three days isn't enough to really enjoy everything that there is there. I suggest visiting Murano. It is only a short boat ride and the glass is worth purchasing there. Versus purchasing Murano glass in the states which is usually priced alot higher.

Ohdonnaoh

Thanks all!


Found a solution to the train travel - found an early morning flight from Venice to Rome, and can return home from Rome - ony adds $47 to the ticket!!! Probably cheaper than the train ticket!!!

Thanks to all contributers!

WillTravel

Is the ticket on Ryanair?

Ohdonnaoh

No actually, surpisingly, it's Alitalia - thought they were no longer operating! Why, is Ryan Air a problem?

WillTravel

I wouldn't rely on either Ryanair or Alitalia to get you back to the airport the same morning you need to fly out. However, it depends too on what the financial consequences of missing that second flight are.

Ohdonnaoh

ok guys, thanks for the concern - I have many a time taken flights the day of, and I'm sure it will be fine. The train would have probably been fine too, considering it's a Sunday. I have faith in the lords of travel - I travel a ton for work, and have had very few bad flight experiences. |(May this not be the first!)

I'm a realist - yet an optimist