Do I need to book train Switzerland to Italy in advance?
Jun 13th, 2013, 04:11 PM
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've done it!
Booked Spiez–Milan leaving 08:05 arriving 10.35: 55CHF for the three of us. I had thought I'd have to select which station to pick up the tickets, but that's apparently open, so if I run out of time or whatever in Basel, I'll pick them up in Grindelwald. All electronic, no doubt.
Still leaving Grindelwald–Spiez tickets until we're in Switzerland.
Booked Milan–Verona without a problem on Trenitalia. On a FrecciaBianca leaving Milano Centrale 11.35: 45.20 euros for the three of us. Printed tickets out here.
THANK YOU all so much for taking me through this. Travelling on my own with my two sons, there's a lot of organising and hoping we don't have any major disasters.
I may reappear in a couple of weeks if I struggle with Paris–Basel booking!
Booked Spiez–Milan leaving 08:05 arriving 10.35: 55CHF for the three of us. I had thought I'd have to select which station to pick up the tickets, but that's apparently open, so if I run out of time or whatever in Basel, I'll pick them up in Grindelwald. All electronic, no doubt.
Still leaving Grindelwald–Spiez tickets until we're in Switzerland.
Booked Milan–Verona without a problem on Trenitalia. On a FrecciaBianca leaving Milano Centrale 11.35: 45.20 euros for the three of us. Printed tickets out here.
THANK YOU all so much for taking me through this. Travelling on my own with my two sons, there's a lot of organising and hoping we don't have any major disasters.
I may reappear in a couple of weeks if I struggle with Paris–Basel booking!
Jun 13th, 2013, 07:23 PM
#43
Great. Here's the Milan station website if you want to take a look around at layout, stores, etc. It says there is an app, but I don't know how useful it is.
http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/home
http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/home
Jun 13th, 2013, 09:15 PM
#44
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, it's HUGE! Like an airport. Thankyou.
Will I only find out the platforms we arrive at/depart from on the day? Any clues? If not, don't worry. I'm sure we'll cope, as long as the boys follow all my instructions without a single groan and move quickly!
Will I only find out the platforms we arrive at/depart from on the day? Any clues? If not, don't worry. I'm sure we'll cope, as long as the boys follow all my instructions without a single groan and move quickly!
Jun 13th, 2013, 10:07 PM
#45
>>>Will I only find out the platforms we arrive at/depart from on the day?<<<
Although trains traveling certain cities tend to use certain tracks/platforms, there is no guarantee. One late train can screw that up so many times you don't know the track until it pops up on the destination board right before the train arrives.
You will not know your arrival platform until the train pulls in. For departures, sometimes the track is listed and then there will be a last minute change and everyone scrambles. There are announcements, but in Italian (track = binario). Centrale is an end station (trains pull in, back out), not pull through so trains are stopped longer. The fast trains will usually be in the station about 10-15 minutes, sometimes longer.
Select platform level and you will see the track # layout.
http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/map/
Pull through stations are usually smaller and have just a few tracks. Large stations like Centrale or Rome Termini will have 20+ tracks. There is usually somewhere to go down under the tracks mid-track to switch tracks, but often it is stairs which makes it difficult with luggage. It can be easier to trek to the head of the tracks and back out instead of down a flight of stairs.
The train cars have numbers on the outside so you look for the class and car number to find you car. If you are running late, just hop on and work your way back to your car inside (not always very easy with luggage).
Although trains traveling certain cities tend to use certain tracks/platforms, there is no guarantee. One late train can screw that up so many times you don't know the track until it pops up on the destination board right before the train arrives.
You will not know your arrival platform until the train pulls in. For departures, sometimes the track is listed and then there will be a last minute change and everyone scrambles. There are announcements, but in Italian (track = binario). Centrale is an end station (trains pull in, back out), not pull through so trains are stopped longer. The fast trains will usually be in the station about 10-15 minutes, sometimes longer.
Select platform level and you will see the track # layout.
http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/map/
Pull through stations are usually smaller and have just a few tracks. Large stations like Centrale or Rome Termini will have 20+ tracks. There is usually somewhere to go down under the tracks mid-track to switch tracks, but often it is stairs which makes it difficult with luggage. It can be easier to trek to the head of the tracks and back out instead of down a flight of stairs.
The train cars have numbers on the outside so you look for the class and car number to find you car. If you are running late, just hop on and work your way back to your car inside (not always very easy with luggage).
Jun 14th, 2013, 01:52 AM
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, kybourbon – that's brilliant info. Look forward to the 'everyone scrambles' scene! Like something out of a Jacques Tati movie.
Am determined to travel light, and that's further impetus. I'll have to brush up on my Italian numerals so I can recognise platform numbers in announcements.
Thanks again. It'll be an adventure!
Am determined to travel light, and that's further impetus. I'll have to brush up on my Italian numerals so I can recognise platform numbers in announcements.
Thanks again. It'll be an adventure!
Jun 14th, 2013, 04:42 AM
#47
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Although trains traveling certain cities tend to use certain tracks/platforms, there is no guarantee. One late train can screw that up so many times you don't know the track until it pops up on the destination board right before the train arrives.>
Yes indeedy in Milan Centrale especially I have noticed this - platform changes due to congestion and late running trains blocking things up - and on one platform you may have two separate trains - one up front and another one farther on that will leave, obviously before the other be sure you are boarding the right train on that platform! And take kyborbon's other great tips too - as usual she is an amazing font of great info on Italian trains, stations and perhaps even station WCs!
Yes indeedy in Milan Centrale especially I have noticed this - platform changes due to congestion and late running trains blocking things up - and on one platform you may have two separate trains - one up front and another one farther on that will leave, obviously before the other be sure you are boarding the right train on that platform! And take kyborbon's other great tips too - as usual she is an amazing font of great info on Italian trains, stations and perhaps even station WCs!
Jun 14th, 2013, 01:59 PM
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sheesh. I will be prepared for anything. Could be chaos, could be smooth. At least I know to get us all off the train promptly when we arrive and to BE QUIET while I listen to this announcement and FIND the departure board and DON'T go wandering off and HURRY UP the train's leaving in 30 seconds!! I HOPE we're on the right train. OK. Relax.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Deno111
Europe
11
Jul 7th, 2013 07:54 PM
