PaoloCast

We arrive at Malpenza at10:10 AM (on a Wednesday), and I assume it will take us at least an hour for baggage, customs, money change, etc. – then approximately one hour by bus to the Milano Central Station. The Trenitalia website shows trains leaving for Torino every hour. Since we can’t be exactly sure how long it will take us to get to Milano, I expect to purchase tickets without reservations. Is this reasonable?
Is there anything we need to know about ticket counters, automatic ticket machines, etc.?

Musicteacher

Most trains leaving Milan for Torino around midday do not require reservations. The Eurostar at 14:13 does require reservations.

WallyKringen

That's probably a typo - the EuroStar AV leaves at 14:43 and gets to Torino Porta Susa at 15:53 and Torino Porta Nuova at 16:05. The next ES* AV is at 15:13. And - yes - it requires reservations.

But Musicteacher is right - the hourly trains leaving at xx:18 and taking 1:52 hr require no reservation - just buy your ticket at Milano Centrale at the vending machine, don't forget to validate the ticket by sticking it into the yellow box near the platform entrance (look at the overhead board for the last column "binario" = track for the number) and board, making sure you are in the ticket class for which you bought a ticket. Second class at €7.90 is just fine.

nessundorma

I think PaoloCast is asking whether it is necessary to reserve in advance, not whether the trains have assigned, reserved seats.

Were I traveling to Torino from Milano I would not expect any train to be sold out, even a Euro Star -- unless there was another Olympics or something. Does anyone disagree?

PaoloCast,

I want to reiterate that you need to validate, or time stamp, your own ticket before boarding the train. As mentioned earlier, you proceed to your track adn train, you will see a yellow box (about the size of a mail box) that you insert your ticket into to get "punched."

Also, the ticket vending machines have an English-speaker's option. They operate like an ATM machine and will take a credit card.

rkkwan

Requiring reservations doesn't mean requiring <i>advanced</i> reservations. The OP can still take the ES* or ES-AV, as long as their are open seats and he can get last minute reservations on those trains.

You shouldn't have problem with the machines or ticket counters. You can choose English as the language on the machines, and the counter persons at Milano Centrale definitely will speak English.

Keren

PaoloCast,
There's a bus from Malpensa to Torino. According to the schedule posted on the airport's website, a bus leaves at 11:30. I arrive at 10:50 and hopefully will only have a carry-on so that I can make it in time. But for you the timing seems perfect. If it works, I think this might be a better option than to go all the way to Milan and pick up a train there. The bus to Novara is also good, you can pick up a train to Torino from there, too.
Take a look:
http://tinyurl.com/jsr8p

PaoloCast

Thank you all again for great advice and generous responders on this site. The info about automatic ticketing and validating will make our trip a lot smoother.

PaoloCast

The train from Malpenza to Torino sounds like the best bet- for overall time and convenience. We're staying near the Porto Nuovo, and I assume it arrives somewhere in central Torino. Thanks again.

PalQ

During the Olympics there were direct trains from Malpensa to Torino but apparently, even after the new rail link was opened, it currently does not have service. I wonder why.
I second the bus to Torino or Novara thence train option as the best link.

Keren

It's not a train but a bus, Malpensa-Torino or Malpensa-Novara then a train from Novara.
And where are you staying around Porta Nuova? I'm staying in the Conte Biancamano. Initially I had made a reservation for a more centrally located hotel but since my stay has been shortened I decided I wanted to stay somewhere in the vicinity of the station. The Conte seemed like the best option around there, and inexpensive.

PaoloCast

Keren. We're booked at the Starhotels Majestic on the Corso VE II. We booked through Venere, who we've used in the past with satisfaction.
As for the bus-train, unless someone has had a bad experience on the bus, it seems like that's what we (two w not much luggage)will doverall more direct and much less time when all the changes and waits are considered. changes

repete

The bus-train is fine, but why backtrack?

There's a bus directly to DT Turin that leaves MXP about 11:30 and it works well. It gets you into Turin, either Porta Susa or Porto Nuova (your choice) in two hours.

http://www.sadem.it/orari_tariffe.htm

Nice, clean coaches. Right outside the arrival area.

If you miss the 11:30 bus to Turin ...
You can also catch a noon bus or taxi to Novara and catch a train into Turin from there.

http://www.stnnet.it/novaramalpensa.html

I've done both and they work well. No need for any reservations.

repete

Somehow I'd missed Keren's post and it is very correct.

By the way, the direct train from Malpensa to Turin was not open during the Olympics. It was promised but not delivered.

I need to correct my earlier post, the Sadem bus does not stop at Porto Nuova (I had it confused with the Caselle Aiport bus) but it stops at the bus station which is farther down Victor Emanuelle II. It's a short cab ride or a 15-20 minute trudge to the Porto Nuova area.

repete

PaoloCast,

On a trip last year I stayed right across the street from the Majestic. Great location and looks fine. You are almost right on top of Giardano's fabulous chocolates, a small shop on Piazza Carlo Felice that is excellent (one of many, of course.)

You're just about a block from Cera una Volta on VEII, a great bargain of fine dining with a 28 euro tasting menu. Strong, reasonable wine list. Cool room. It's on the 2nd floor and you need to buzz the intercom on the street to enter. Look for blue neon.

A very fun and fairly casual place is La Cantinella across the Po, where the specialty was steak brought out raw, sliced and grilled tableside (by you) on a sizzling soapstone. Also get the octpus-potato starter -- amazing. It's not a bad walk from your hotel. You walk down VEII and when you cross the river, turn left and it's about half a mile.

No one goes to Italy for English food, but if you need a pint there's a nice pub across from your hotel on VEII.

Sorry to ramble, but I've got plenty of fond memories of Turin and this thread got me going ....

Keren

So, repete, would you say that VEII is a safe street to stay in? I walked around there a few times and it was fine, but that was 8-9 years ago. Thank you for the tip on the bus from Malpensa, I was sure it stopped at Porta Nuova. It doesn't matter that much since it's a short walk to my hotel.

repete

plenty safe. it gets a bit rougher on the back fringes of the station (not on VEII itself) but nothing too bad.

btw, the 15-20 minute estimate was luggage-less, so if you're carrying a number of bags it will probably be longer.

Keren

Thanks, repete the hotel is at no. 73 so closer to the bus station than the Majestic, which is at no. 54. I'll have just 1 not too heavy suitcase so I plan to walk.