From Milan Airport to the Last Supper
Jan 29th, 2015, 01:18 PM
#21
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The Malpensa Express at Cadorna arrives on a side track, there is a small side exit on your right without having to walk to the main exit. Walk along via Metastasio and then, after the round piazza, along via Caradosso. Turn right and you are at the church. About 8/10 minutes walking. If you are in a hurry you will likely find taxis at the side exit.
Jan 29th, 2015, 01:20 PM
#22
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travelworm,
I am unclear as to what you present plan is and why you want a car service. Are you taking your luggage to Milan?
Also, you don't have to show up at your hotel in Montecatini. You only have to pay for it. But it would cheaper if you re-arranged your car pick up for Tuscany. Take the train to Montecatini from Milan.
I am unclear as to what you present plan is and why you want a car service. Are you taking your luggage to Milan?
Also, you don't have to show up at your hotel in Montecatini. You only have to pay for it. But it would cheaper if you re-arranged your car pick up for Tuscany. Take the train to Montecatini from Milan.
Jan 29th, 2015, 01:26 PM
#23
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A 2011 post is obsolete, at the time there was no train service to Centrale so you had to take a bus shuttle. But buses have to cope with traffic and are slower than trains.
I second the ideas of other posters. First, the Last Supper visit will work only under the most favourable circumstance, any single delay (say, some people in queue at the car rental office) and you risk not making it. Second, you are underestimating the drive to Montecatini.
I second the ideas of other posters. First, the Last Supper visit will work only under the most favourable circumstance, any single delay (say, some people in queue at the car rental office) and you risk not making it. Second, you are underestimating the drive to Montecatini.
Jan 29th, 2015, 01:56 PM
#24
Even if it's all part of a package, you should have a choice about pick up location for the car. That could be Florence or Montecatini if you wanted. I've always had to wait to pick up or return cars in Italy. I would be very surprised if you don't. You would also need to get to the car rental, buy tickets for the train to Milan, get money from the ATM, get to the train area, etc.
Have you ever been on an overnight flight? Have you ever driven in Italy?
Have you ever been on an overnight flight? Have you ever driven in Italy?
Jan 29th, 2015, 02:02 PM
#25
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To put the choices in the simplest possible terms, your choices are that you either:
a) give up the idea of seeing the Last Supper, even if that means losing the cost of the tickets
b) give up the idea of picking up the car in Malpensa, even if that means extra costs for train tickets to Tuscany
c) give up the idea of spending the first night in Montecantini, even if that means getting a hotel room in Milan on top of what you already paid
No car rental company is going to insist you pick up a car in Milan if you tell them you are afraid you will be so jet lagged driving it away you will crash it.
No hotel cares whether you actually sleep in the bed you paid for so long as you let them know you will be there the next day.
I think you might have to give up (a) under any circumstances, but the only hope I see of you making it to the ticket window of the Last Supper by 1.25 is if your plane lands on time, if you only have carryon, and if you proceed directly to the Malpensa Xpress platform and have a driver meet you at Cadorna station to drive you to the church and watch over your luggage while you are inside.
If you like that plan, you can find lots of recommendations for Milan-based drivers on TripAdvisor or probably Slow Travel, and e-mail several to get an idea of costs.
a) give up the idea of seeing the Last Supper, even if that means losing the cost of the tickets
b) give up the idea of picking up the car in Malpensa, even if that means extra costs for train tickets to Tuscany
c) give up the idea of spending the first night in Montecantini, even if that means getting a hotel room in Milan on top of what you already paid
No car rental company is going to insist you pick up a car in Milan if you tell them you are afraid you will be so jet lagged driving it away you will crash it.
No hotel cares whether you actually sleep in the bed you paid for so long as you let them know you will be there the next day.
I think you might have to give up (a) under any circumstances, but the only hope I see of you making it to the ticket window of the Last Supper by 1.25 is if your plane lands on time, if you only have carryon, and if you proceed directly to the Malpensa Xpress platform and have a driver meet you at Cadorna station to drive you to the church and watch over your luggage while you are inside.
If you like that plan, you can find lots of recommendations for Milan-based drivers on TripAdvisor or probably Slow Travel, and e-mail several to get an idea of costs.
Jan 29th, 2015, 02:39 PM
#26
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sandralist, thank you very much for your realistic spin on all of this. I'm thinking of booking the 6:30 tickets and staying overnight in Milan. All your feedback has been invaluable!
Jan 29th, 2015, 03:05 PM
#27
Staying overnight in Milan is the best plan.Antica Locanda Leonardo is a lovely small hotel near "The Last Supper." I highly recommend it, set back in a courtyard off the street, very quiet, wonderful breakfast included.
Jan 29th, 2015, 04:01 PM
#28
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There's a Marriott in Milan that's a mile walk from the church. I can get a room there for free using Marriott points. So the current thinking (provided my friend agrees) is get the car upon arrival at Malpensa Airport, drive to Marriott, walk to Santa Maria delle Grazie by 6 PM. Does anyone see any problems with this plan?
Jan 29th, 2015, 04:16 PM
#30
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Just so you know: Linate airport is south of Milan and it is easy to get there, and from there it is easy to drive to the highway and drive on to Tuscany, with a stop for lunch along the way.
When is this trip?
When is this trip?
Jan 29th, 2015, 04:19 PM
#31
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If you're staying overnight in Milan, why do you even want/need the car? If you can push back the Last Supper visit, why not take your time and relax on the train on the way in from the airport? Check into the Marriott, have an unstressful first day after your long day of flying by wandering around Milan a little until your visit time.
The next morning, pick up the car at Milano Centrale - or, as others have suggested, take a train to Florence or elsewhere and pick up the car there if you can/want to.
The next morning, pick up the car at Milano Centrale - or, as others have suggested, take a train to Florence or elsewhere and pick up the car there if you can/want to.
Jan 29th, 2015, 04:49 PM
#32
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sandralist and Andrew, great suggestions about the car. The trip is not until March.
Between getting the car from Milano Centrale or Linate airport prior to driving to Tuscany, is one location preferable over the other?
Between getting the car from Milano Centrale or Linate airport prior to driving to Tuscany, is one location preferable over the other?
Jan 29th, 2015, 07:49 PM
#34
It's also possible to take a train to Montecatini (either later on Tuesday or early Wednesday) and pick up the car there. That's probably what I would do. The rental office is open Mon-Fri 8:30a-12:30p and 2:30p-6:30p.
Jan 29th, 2015, 09:01 PM
#35
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nochblad, thank you for your answer to my last question. I see that Maggiore has a location at Linate, so I'll try to arrange pick-up from there.
For everyone that suggested taking the train from Milan to Montecatini, thank you for your suggestion.
We'd like to stop in Lucca before we get to our hotel in Montecatini on Wednesday. We are also considering a stop in Parma on the drive from Milan to Montecatini.
For everyone that suggested taking the train from Milan to Montecatini, thank you for your suggestion.
We'd like to stop in Lucca before we get to our hotel in Montecatini on Wednesday. We are also considering a stop in Parma on the drive from Milan to Montecatini.
Jan 30th, 2015, 12:08 AM
#36
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Sounds much better. Marriott points save the day! The location of the hotel is perfect. Personally, the next morning, I would take a taxi from the Marriot right to the Linate car rental offices. Costs about 25e and takes 35 minutes or so. Second best would be taking a taxi to Milano Centrale (10e) and the airport bus from there (2 tix = 10e). That takes a little less than an hour. Cheapskates would be walking to nearest metro (2 tix = 5e) to go to Milano Centrale then taking the airport bus, but negotiating all that with luggage is pretty grim.
If you stop by Parma or Lucca, remember that both historic centers are zones where traffic is limited to drivers with a special permit, which means you are not allowed to drive there. The area is monitored by police and video cameras, and if you get caught you can get a huge fine. So make sure you park outside that area and walk to see the sights.
If you use this map of Parma and click on the box for "Zone a Traffico Limitato" and also click on the box for "Parcheggi coperti a pagamento" (covered paid parking) you can see where you can park outside the restricted area.
http://www.infomobility.pr.it/index....e_block&tipo=6
For Lucca, the easiest thing to do is follow the signs to the train station and park in the paid parking lot there.
Montecatini is in a fun area of Tuscany. Pistoia is worth visiting for its architecture, and also if you like morning food markets, plus it has several old fashioned and very good places to eat. In addition to all the beautiful historic towns and spas in the area, there is also what is known as "the chocolate valley", which should be knocking themselves out making Easter treats in March.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/tr...neys.html?_r=0
Have a great trip.
If you stop by Parma or Lucca, remember that both historic centers are zones where traffic is limited to drivers with a special permit, which means you are not allowed to drive there. The area is monitored by police and video cameras, and if you get caught you can get a huge fine. So make sure you park outside that area and walk to see the sights.
If you use this map of Parma and click on the box for "Zone a Traffico Limitato" and also click on the box for "Parcheggi coperti a pagamento" (covered paid parking) you can see where you can park outside the restricted area.
http://www.infomobility.pr.it/index....e_block&tipo=6
For Lucca, the easiest thing to do is follow the signs to the train station and park in the paid parking lot there.
Montecatini is in a fun area of Tuscany. Pistoia is worth visiting for its architecture, and also if you like morning food markets, plus it has several old fashioned and very good places to eat. In addition to all the beautiful historic towns and spas in the area, there is also what is known as "the chocolate valley", which should be knocking themselves out making Easter treats in March.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/tr...neys.html?_r=0
Have a great trip.
