Assuming I'm going by train from Venice to Milan where I can pick up an AutoFrance car at either Linate or Malpensa. Am I correct in assuming it will be considerably easier and/or cheaper to get to Linate rather than Malpensa?

Linate is much closer to the city than Malpensa. It's used for flights within Europe, but I don't think for trans-Atlantic flights.

Patrick....why not pick up a car at Stazione Centrale, assuming you arrive there.....we have picked up cars there from AutoEurope and dropped the car off at our departing city airport with no drop fee..............S

Sorry, you misread my post. It's AutoFrance, not AutoEurope. Centrale is not an option.

No, did not misread...just trying to be helpful....

Oh, actually I've talked to AutoEurope, but since we're dropping off in Paris, the guy there told me the drop-off fee will make the rental price higher than the lease plan with them or with AutoFrance, which doesn't have a drop off fee and only charges $60 for the Italy pick up. Anyway if we were renting instead of leasing, we'd just pick up the car in Venice instead of "training" it to Milan to pick up the car.

Oh, and AutoEurope doesn't offer a Centrale pickup for their lease plan either. Sorry, didn't mean to sound like I didn't appreciate your suggestions, just really thought maybe you had misread my post.

There are buses (€4) every 30 mins from Milano Centrale to Linate.

Steve

Linate is MUCH closer to the city than Malpensa.

Out of curiosity, anyone know about what a taxi costs from Centrale to Linate? If a bus for two people is 8 euro and we may need to wait a half hour to get one, perhaps a taxi is far better at not much more cost?

No personal experience - but I'd guess about €20

Steve

I've taken taxis a few times from Centrale to a company in Lambrate, which is not far from Linate, and the cost is usually about 15 euro, so the 20 euro James suggested is about right (25 euro to be safe), although during rush hour it could rise to about 30 euro. A taxi to Malpensa costs a small fortune in comparison, about 75 euro (or more).

We just took the shuttle from Milano Centrale to Linate this past weekend, and the fare was only 2 euros each, and the bus ran every 20 minutes. It's so easy, can't imagine spending lots more for taxi.