europebound_921

My husband and I are traveling to Italy in May. I used FF miles to book our flights and, unfortunately, we could only get to Milan when our true destination is Venice. We arrive in Milan at 9:55 a.m. and must be in Venice no later than 3 p.m. that day. My question is...if the day draws closer and I still can't use FF miles straight through should I book a hop on Alitalia or should I take the ES train from Milan to Venice? Either one will get me there on time but I was thinking it might be more scenic to take the train. Has anyone done this? I would love to hear recommendations.

Also, at the tail end of our trip we are flying out of Naples. We want to spend the last two days in the Amalfi Coast area. We can stay in Sorrento for "free" using hotel rewards for Hilton but I am very interested in seeing Positano and/or Amalfi. The hotels in those two areas are very expensive. For those that have traveled in that area I would like to know if you think it is worth it to shell out the extra money or fine to stay in Sorrento and take a day trip(s) to Amalfi or Positano?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
EuropeBound_921

RoadCrazy

It is likely that you can do this by train, unless your flight is substantially late. There is a fast train from Milan to Venice leaving at 11:55 that will get you into Venice at 2:35. Especially if you travel with only carry-on bags, 2 hours should be enough time to land and get to the train station to make that train. You may also want to buy some euros in advance, enough for the train and incidentals, to save the time you would otherwise need for changing money.

thursdaysd

Not only will the train trip be more scenic, it will also be "greener". I've done the train trip the other way with no problems - what are your concerns?

thursdaysd

I'm quite sure there will be an ATM at Milan airport, absolutely no need to either change money or buy euros beforehand.

europebound_921

Wow! Quick replies! I don't have a "concern" about taking the train. It will just be a bit more hassle since I will already be at the airport. So the path of least resistance is taking another flight. However, if it is pretty and scenic, I would much rather take the train as the hassle is not so great.

I see I can easily take a shuttle from the airport to the train station in Milan. I did also see the train at 11:55 but the schedule did not go out far enough to confirm this train would run in May (the 15th). At least not on the website I was on checking train schedules.

Right now I am waitlisted on a flight from JFK to VCE. If I get that flight the train will be a moot point. Unfortunately, since I can not ensure the outcome, I have to research Plan B and C for getting to Venice and hope I can implement them at the last minute. From my reading today it appears I must have reservations for the ES train from Milan to Venice. Is this true? If yes, can I make a reservation but NOT purchase the ticket (like dinner reservations!) so that if I need it I have a spot on the train and, if I don't, I can cancel the reservation? Even if I get to Venice at 4 p.m. it won't be the end of the world. We are meeting a group of 10 people at 4 p.m. and wanted time to check into our hotel room first if possible.

Thanks for the help! This site is fantastic. Just another benefit of the worldwide web!

hopscotch

My FF experience with NWA is to keep knocking. Eventually someone will cancel or they will open up more seats. I think you have a good shot at Venice this far out.

2Italy

When on the Amalfi Coast stay i Praiano, just a little down the road from Positano. It's smaller,quieter, and much less expensive. The views are just as wonderful.
The Hotel Margherita is a 3 star hotel with great rooms, great food, and great prices. http://www.italyby.com/hotelmargherita/
Their service is incredible! Praiano sits about halfway between Positano and Amalfi, and is easily reached by bus or boat.

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ira

Hi E,

Take the shuttle bus from MXP to Milano Centrale. The train to Milan goes to the wrong station.

The 12:05 from Milan arrives Venice SL at 15:04. Is that close enough?

You can take the SITA bus from Sorrento to visit Positano and Amalfi.

You can also take the ferry.

You can make your train reservations online as far as 60 days out and as early as the day before you leave. No need to worry about it now.

You could even buy your ticket when you arrive in Milan Centrale.

The trains that you will take are IC or EC, not ES*.

Enjoy your visit.

europebound_921

Thanks Ira. I thought I read somewhere I could take the ES from Milan to Venice. I am just glad to know there is a way to get there.

This is my first trip to Italy and I do not speak Italian. By the time I leave I hope to have learned at least a smattering of it but it will be rudimentary at best.

Thanks again!
e_

Mimar

I liked staying in Sorrento. It's a pretty bustling small city on the Gulf of Naples. And it makes a good base for Capri and Pompeii as well as the Amalfi Coast.

Yeah, you'll miss the cute small hotel but you'll also miss all the steps.

Regarding your question about training vs. flying to Venice. If you fly, you'll have to get yourselves from the airport to Venice proper. Not too time-consuming but still... By train you have to get yourself from Malpensa to Milano Centrale. If you have a lot of luggage, I'd fly. If you're carrying on only, then the train is good. Remember you can't count on your flight being on time.

Hopefully this last issue will be moot and you'll fly into Venice directly.

suze

Since airports and train stations are not in the same location in either Milan or Venice, in one city or the other you'll be faced with getting from the airport into the central part of the city (whether to catch a train in Milan, or to get from the airport into Venice proper).

WillTravel

I would have a backup plan in case you are not in Venice by 3 PM that day. Yes, you have a very good chance you will, but delays of two or three hours are not unheard of when it comes to airlines.