adventureseeker

Calling all you Milan/MXP experts....

We train in from SML to Milan Centrale on Thursday and fly out of MXP on Friday at 10:15am.

<b>What would you do?</b>

1) leave luggage in lockers at Milan Centrale and explore Duomo, La Scala, etc. (do we walk, taxi, or tram/subway to attractions?) After dinner, go back to MC to take shuttle bus to MXP where we pick up a free shuttle to our hotel Novotel ($116US) which shuttles us free to MXP next morning. (as I type this, it seems exhausting, but the most economical way to go....not that it's the deciding factor)

2) Go from Centrale to hotel near Cadorna (how do we get there?), sightsee and take the train directly to MXP next morning.

3) Hotel near Centrale, sightsee, take shuttle bus to MXP in morning.

I'm leaning towards either option 2 or 3 if I can find reasonable lodging. OR if you have a better thought, please share!

I've read past posts that list hotels nearby to the stations which I will check out. We need a room for 2 adults and an 8 yr old. Our budget is 100E (is that doable?), but we'd go as high as 150E for a memorable night stay if the hotel is worth it.

Thank you all once again for making my trip planning so much easier. Fodorites are the best!

Palenque

Go from Centrale to hotel near Cadorna (how do we get there?)? By metro though the stop for Cordona is not right in the station i believe but out on the street.

ellenem

I vote for 2. There are three of your--spring for a taxi to your hotel.

adventureseeker

2 for 2! Thx for the input. We'll taxi over and I'll search for nearby lodging.

Jean

Another vote for #2.

We've stayed at Hotel Star a couple of times and walked to the Cadorna station (about 1 km.). Another Fodorite has recommended the Antica Locanda Leonardo which is closer to Cadorna and the Last Supper, but the Star is closer to the Duomo and La Scala.

http://www.hotelstar.it/
http://www.anticalocandaleonardo.com/en/index.htm

adventureseeker

Jean, I'll check these out. Your assistance has been so valuable to me on a handful of posts. Much appreciated....thx!

kfusto

I loved my stay at Melia Milano very near the Cardona station and they often have advance purchase rates on their website that are excellent.

adventureseeker

Thx, I'll check it out. Hotel Star is booked and Antica is out of our budget.

Jean

adventureseeker, that's interesting. I thought Antica's rates were lower, but perhaps the Star is working harder to get the biz. I don't think you'd be disappointed with the Star. It's no Ritz Carlton, but the cost-to-value ratio is pretty good for Milan.

adventureseeker

Jean, I'm finding that we'll need to up our budget to stay in Milan. Cost-to-value ratio makes total sense. I had no idea that it was much higher than other locations.

kfusto

I find pricing wildly divergent from site to site in Europe and shop around a lot. Sites I use:

kayak.com - compares lots of others
otel.com - pre pay discount site with very good rates at certain hotels and can fluctuate daily - or more
ratestogo.com - last minute discount site (within 20 days)

And Expedia Good Buy rates can be a great deal.

adventureseeker

kfusto...excellent info. Thank you.

justfun10

bookmarking. tx.