Italy, Is three hour enough time??
 

Hello!

This is our first trip to Italy, we arrive at Milan/Malpensa at 8:45am, is 3hrs enough time to deplane, get bags, clear customs and get to centralle station??? We are trying to make a train connection to Florence at noon.

Yes, it should be. The trip can take up to an hour into Milan's central station by bus depending on time of day and traffic. Malpensa is a long way from the city. You can buy bus ticket at the exit doors of the airport terminal.

Larry J

It's probably enough time ... if your flights are on time. I would look into either trip interruption insurance (to compensate you for missed trains).

Another possibility: can you fly into Linate?

Thanks for the information. No on Linate, airline tickets are booked for Milan. We arrive Sunday morning 8:45 March 11.

Figure an hour for customs and bags.
Add 20 minutes before you bus leaves.
Add an hour to arrive at Centrale.
This leaves about 40 minutes for delays.
I would feel comfortable with the three hours.

Worst case if your plane is late, is there another train shortly after noon? Seems like there would be several from Milan to Florence each day. Do you have to purchase your train fare in advance, or can you wait till you arrive?
:)>-

Hi Mal,

The worst thing that could happen is that you will have to take the 13:00 train.

Schedules are at www.trenitalia.com

I'd wait to buy tickets until arriving at Milan Centrale.

((I))

THANKS for the information. We have a direct flight ns from Atlanta to Malpensa on Delta. I have not booked train tickets yet. Would there be a problem getting Eurostar Italia 1st class right before the train leaves?? I could get flexi tickets and if I miss train, I could reschedule....

Hi M,

>I have not booked train tickets yet. Would there be a problem getting Eurostar Italia 1st class right before the train leaves??<

Like 5 min in advance?

Interestingly enough, Trenitalia lets you buy tickets via cellphone up to the moment the train departs, but you have to be in Italy and speak Italian.

They don't offer reduced fares on this route, so you won't save money buying in advance.

If you buy a ticket in advance for the 12:00 train and miss it, you will have to go to the ticket counter to change your ticket.

Unless you are travelling on a major holiday, you shouldn't have difficulty with buying your ticket in Milan.

If you want to be worry free, buy tickets online for the 13:00 train.

((I))