We are flying into Malpensa and want to immediately head for Rome to start our trip. We arrive around 9:00 am in Milan - how long should we plan to get through immigration, customs, bus to train station, train to Rome? Do we need advance tickets for train or just get them whenever we arrive at the station? What time could we reasonably expect to arrive in Rome?

You shouldn't have any problems getting the 12:00am Eurostar Italia, arriving in Rome at 4:30pm.<BR><BR>In principle, I wouldn't reserve. If you're arriving on a Friday, for your peace of mind you may consider it (you'll pay a whole lot more than buying your ES tickets as soon as you arrive at Milano Centrale). If you buy your tickets in Italy, expect to pay about Lit 82,000/129,000, respectively, for 2nd/1st class service. You may compare this with a quote from RailEurope in the US.<BR>Paulo<BR><BR>

If you are nonsmokers you may want to reserve well ahead simply to avoid getting stuck in a smoking car. We took the Eurostar from Rome to Milan a couple weeks ago, didn't reserve as early as we might have, and ended up with the only seats left, which were in smoking. We survived, but just barely.

Dick.. <BR> <BR>You poor things!

The train ride itself takes about 4-5 hours, as I recall. <BR>I suggest that you take the Eurostar, which is faster and more comfortable, but requires reservation and is a little more expensive. <BR>There is also the "Intercity" train, which is cheaper, doesn't need reservation and is as reliable, but it's more like commuter train, stops at more locations, and you risk the chance of spending the entire train ride with rowdy Italian youths. <BR>Also, you will arrive at Rome's Termini train station. It's not the easiest place to navigate, and it's like a zoo. It's safe, but do use common sense as you make your way out of the train station.