Myself and 3 female friends are staying 100m from central station in early September for 3 nights. I have heard since making the booking that the area is unsafe, especially for women, is this true?

And I "heard" it is perfectly safe so who is correct?

The point is that when you start trusting "hearsay" information you go down a slippery slope.

I don't think you are going to get raped outside Centrale (I assume that's what you were referring to with the "especially for women" part)...if you are concrened then don;t venture out alone and consider traveling by taxi.

Have a great and safe trip..and stop worrying!

Actually, I think the whole point of this sight is to pick up hearsay. Anyway ... Vong, chances are you'd be fine near Centrale, but it's not the best neighborhood in Milano, and Milan is a big city with big city issues. Nor is that area the best for sightseeing. So if you can afford it, I'd probably consider something closer to the Duomo/Via Spago area. If you can't, then just be aware and use common sense.

I was there at night last summer with my 18 year old daughter and we felt perfectly safe. The area is busy with many hotels and restaurants. We walked from our hotel to the train station to buy some things in one of the stores and stopped by a bar on the way back to the hotel.

The Milan station area has been one of the most heavily gypsy infested in Europe. Watch out for the women in their print robes/dresses; the teenagers are also active. Shout to attract attention if they start circling. They will usually retreat when confronted. Take their picture to really get them to scatter. Stick together and hold your stuff tightly. You'll survive, and have a great tale to tell if they approach you.

Wow, is it also like this inside the train station?

I did not feel unsafe or see the "gypsy" situation... but the Milan central train station WAS one of the busiest and hardest to figure out (we were making a transfer coming from Venice to get on a night train to Paris). We had a short time and difficulty figuring out track and train numbers with a definite shortage of helpful signage. One of those potential breakdown moments that you look back on and laugh! On the positive side we purchased some very nice food for the evening trip from the grocery store within the station.

I didn't see any gypsy groups in Milan last summer and not as many as in past years in Rome or Florence.

I have been in the station twice this year and I never saw gypsies. Just be aware of your surroundings. It was a busy station but fine. All train stations have a slight edge to them in most major cities...remember Port Authotity bus station in the 70's in NY? its much better than that .

I can't recall an episode inside the station, but I have had a number of encounters around the piazza in front of the station.

I live right down the street from Centrale so your hotel is probably in my neighborhood. It is safe - but as everyone says - use common sense. This tends to be a busy area, even at night. Just stay clear of the narrow alleyways late at night and walk on the main roads. Don't do anything you wouldn't do in a large city at night.
The gypsies are not as bad as they used to be - on a recent trip, I did not see any. I've had more encounters with gypsies on the public transportation trains in town than on the trains. Just keep your purse in front of you and they know that you're aware of them, so they'll leave you alone.

Thanks for all your advice.