How long should we should expect to take, travelling from Milan to SL by train? We will arrive in Milan from Paris by train (early evening) and hope to continue onto SL the same day. Is this a rasonable expectation? Do local trains leave from the same station as the one from Paris?

I take trains all the time from Milano Centrale train station down to the Cinque Terre - Sestri Levante is on the same route along the Riviera di Levante coastline.

The trenitalia.com website lists all the train schedules in Italy and is a useful travel guide. Not sure what day and time you would be in Milan, but put the random date of May 31, Milano Centrale to Sestri Levante in the boxes to the L of the screen. Starting at 4:00 pm, there are trains leaving every 30 minutes (4:00 pm/arr 6:42 pm, 4:25 pm/arr 7:46 pm, 5:00 pm/arr 7:46 pm, 6:10 pm/arr 8:44 pm, 7:05 pm/arr 9:39 pm, etc.) The trip takes approx 2 hours/40 mins (+/-), generally with a stop in Genoa's Principe train station.

The average cost for 2 adults on one of the above trains is: 1st class = 46,20 euros total, 2nd class = 33,72 euros total.

Huitres - would you take the 1st class or 2nd? Is there much of a difference?
Sounds like it is easily manageable in the one day. Thanks l love this forum!

ttt

I travel 2nd class all the time which works just fine for me and my young child. The seats are comfortable, etc and to me, there is no major recognizable difference between 1st and 2nd class now that all the Italians trains are non-smoking. I am sure there will be those that argue in favor of 1st class, but you will be more than fine in 2nd class.

It is perfectable manageable to take this route on the same day as you get in from Paris. I would just advise your hotel in Sestri Levante in advance of your late arrival so that you won't be charged if checking in too late.