Milano Centrale station
In this article, I explain how to get to Italy by train from Paris, but also how to get around the heart of Italy by train. It's easy, economical and environmentally friendly, so don't hesitate!
SUMMARY
Travelling to Italy by train from Paris
Travelling to the heart of Italy by train
An unusual detail in Milano Centrale Station
A hotel recommendation near Milano Porta Garibaldi Station
1. Travelling to Italy by train from Paris
Getting to Italy from Paris Gare de Lyon is easy. There are trains to either Turin or Milan, with no need to change trains. You can then choose between the French railway company, SNCF, or the Italian one, Trenitalia. In my case, I opted for the SNCF because I had bought last-minute tickets for the week of Easter 2023 and had no other choice.
For direct trains to Turin, the journey can take between 5h30 and 6h, with the following stops (depending on the train): Mâcon Loché TGV, Lyon Part Dieu, Chambéry - Challes-les-Eaux, Saint-Jean-de Maurienne Arvan, Modane, Bardonecchia, Oulx - Cesana - Claviere - Sestriere and Torino Porta Susa.
Then, for direct trains to Milan, the journey can take between 6.30 and 7 hours, with the following stops (again, this varies according to the train): Mâcon Loché TGV, Lyon Part Dieu, Chambéry - Challes-les-Eaux, Saint-Jean-de Maurienne Arvan, Modane, Bardonecchia, Oulx - Cesana - Claviere - Sestriere, Torino Porta Susa, Milano Porta Garibaldi and Milano Centrale.
From now on, let's talk price! The Paris-Turin ticket starts at 29 euros. For my part, I paid 69 euros for the Paris-Milan ticket with SNCF in second class, buying it two days before departure the week of Easter 2023, which is quite reasonable for a last-minute ticket.
Finally, please note that customs checks may be carried out on the train at the French-Italian border. What's more, when you arrive at the station in Italy, you will be asked to show your ID for a check.
2. Travelling to the heart of Italy by train
Italy is a country that's easy, economical and environmentally friendly to get around by train. In fact, it's possible to get to all the country's major cities by train, even as far as Sicily, where the train is put on a boat for the short crossing between the mainland and the island. Suffice it to say that, ever since I heard about this train to Sicily, this route has clearly been on my wishlist!
Train tickets can be booked directly on the Italian rail company Trenitalia's website, which is also translated into English for easier booking.
As far as Italian trains are concerned, I've only had the opportunity to test the Frecciarossa between the city centers of Milan and Rome and back. Frecciarossa trains cross the Italian peninsula at speeds of up to 300 km/h, entering the heart of the major cities while reducing distances.
It should be noted that, for this category of trains, there is, when still available, the Me&You fare which allows you to travel for two at half price. The only condition is that you must be two adults, regardless of the nature of your relationship.
On Frecciarossa trains, there are baggage compartments between each row of seats, or extra-wide compartments above the seats. The atmosphere is colder than on SNCF trains, here it's all plastic and gray. But that's a mere detail, considering that this ultra-convenient train takes you from Milan to Rome in around three hours, with connections every 20/30 minutes, all the while passing through some stunning scenery, particularly in Tuscany! Last but not least, these trains have electric sockets at your seat, and refuelling is either done with someone passing directly into the carriages, or at the bar.
3. An unusual detail in Milano Centrale Station
The extremely imposing Milano Centrale station was wanted by Benito Mussolini and inaugurated in 1931 in an imperial style that is immediately apparent. Italy's second busiest station after Roma Termini, it handles an average of 120 million passengers a year.
It's worth noting that in Italy, unlike in France, you can't access the platforms without a boarding ticket, which you have to scan to pass through the platform access gates. Moreover, you are entitled to access the platforms no earlier than 40 minutes before your train's departure time, and the platform is announced 20 minutes before departure.
At Milano Centrale Station, once you've passed through the gates, there's a curiosity to behold. Head towards platform 22 (on the far right of the station) and, just before you reach this platform, look up to your right and you'll see a representation of Mussolini whose face has been partially erased.
4. A hotel recommendation near Milano Porta Garibaldi Station
If you're arriving by train at Milano Porta Garibaldi station from France or departing from there, whether late at night or early in the morning, and you're looking for good-value accommodation in Milan close to the station, then I've got just the address for you: Hotel San Guido.
In fact, the hotel is less than 10 minutes' walk from Milano Porta Garibaldi station. The hotel is also within easy reach of Milano Centrale station (approx. 2km away), which can be reached on foot in around 30 minutes, or by bicycle, metro, streetcar, bus or cab.
As for the hotel itself, it's still in its original state, but that gives it a very special atmosphere that I really liked. The reception is pleasant and attentive, and open 24 hours a day. The rooms are large, very clean and comfortable (although not the best bedding in the world, admittedly). Hygiene products are provided in the bathroom.
The breakfast is quite decent, with plenty of choice. My husband and I stayed at this hotel when we arrived in Milan late at night, and also when we left Milan very early in the morning, at 5:30 am, to catch the train to Paris Gare de Lyon at 6 am at the Milano Porta Garibaldi station. On this occasion, the hotel had prepared a breakfast bag for us to take with us. These are all nice touches on their part, which make me recommend this hotel to you.
Finally, regarding the hotel's location, it's right next to Milan's Monumental Cemetery, which I talk about in this other article devoted to five unusual places to discover in Milan that you absolutely must visit! To get to Milan's hypercenter (Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Scala, The Last Supper, etc.), you'll need to walk for about 30 minutes, which will take you through some pleasant neighborhoods. You can also take public transport without difficulty (metro, streetcar, bus).
In short, I'd recommend this hotel if you don't want to spend a lot of money on accommodation in Milan, which is a very expensive city in terms of hotels, and if you don't mind having to walk for half an hour or take public transport to reach the city's central points.
Milano Centrale station
See you soon for more articles dedicated to Milan and Rome!
=> I hope this article has helped you prepare for your stay in Milan, and if you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me, I'll be happy to get back to you!