Hotel near train station in Milan
 

I am taking a trip through northern italy this spring. unfortunately i arrive in Milan around 9 o'clock at night, and have reservations for the following night in Venice. i am not planning on doing any site-seeing while in milan, but i am going to need to find a place to stay the night so i can catch a train to venice the following morning... can anyone recommend a good, but inexpensive hotel in milan that would be near the train station? or which would be best, to stay near the airport or near the train station? is the train station close to the airport in milan?<BR><BR>all comments are greatly welcomed

We've stayed in Hotel Virgilio about 2 blocks from the train station a number of times either arriving or leaving Italy just for the convenience and price. It is a 2 star hotel and the rooms with bath are quite nice although the halls are a little dingy. The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Excellent bar almost next door. We booked last time (2001) through www.itwg.com.

Tim,<BR>The main train station in Milan (Milano Centrale) is NOT near the airport. If you're planning on traveling to Venice via the train, then your best bet is to stay that 1 night by Centrale. There are several hotels in the immediate area; I've not stayed at any, so will defer to others who have. <BR><BR>To get from the airport (arriving at Malpensa?), then you have a couple options. Taxi is easy, but the most expensive (approx $80 USD). Your cheaper alternative is the shuttle bus that departs from airport &amp; stops directly in front of Milano Centrale train station.<BR>

do you know if the shuttles are still available around 9pm?

The last shuttle bus from Milano Centrale to Malpensa Airport leaves at 22:30 (according to Malpensa web site).

Tim, my wife and I stayed at the Hotel Canova a couple of years ago. It was a very nice hotel, and only about two blocks from the central train station not far from a McDonalds.Try their webb site: hotelcanova.com

IMHO the best solution for your problem is taking the Malpensa Express train from Malpensa Airport and bookin in a centrally-located hotel. The malpensa Express will take you to Cadorna station, which is right near the center of Milano. The next morning you can take the subway to Centrale Station (it is just five stops from Duomo). I also suggest you to book the seats fo the next morning train to Venice as you arrive at the airport.

should i buy all of my tickets for all the trains i will be using once i reach milan? is the ticket office easy to find in the airport?

I do not know where are the ticket selling machines placed at the iarpor,t, but you do not need to buy all the tickets so eraly, you can do it the next day either in Venice or in Milano, or just book a couple of days in advance each time you decide (or plan) to leave.

When you get off the bus from Malpensa at the Central station, there is a travel agency right in front of you where you can book all your tickets easily - don't think there is an extra charge. This saves you the hassle of going into the actual train station and dealing with the windows there. I know it is open until at least 8pm, but maybe later.

Lina:<BR><BR>Well, in first place Tim will land in Milano at 9 pm. In second place I strongly advise against buying the tikets for Italian trains anywhere but in a train station or from a ticket selling machine. Often travel agencies add their own fees to the tickets, besides they are not fully reliable when it comes to seat booking.