The train station of Milano Centrale is one of the most important railway junctions not only in Italy, but also in Europe, because trains depart from it not only to Rome, Naples or Venice, but also to Paris, Nice, Zurich, Geneva. Every day, the station serves more than 300 thousand passengers, and from its 24 platforms about 600 trains leave every day.
The first station in Milan was built back in 1864, on the site where the famous Republic Square is now located, but over time, due to the rapid development of the transport system, the old station ceased to cope with the loads.
There was a need for the construction of a new station that can cope with increased passenger traffic by several times. A competition for the best project was announced Milan Central Station, the winner of which was the architect Ulis Staccini, who took as a model the building of the railway station in Washington.
The opening of the main station of Milan took place in May 1931
In connection with the economic crisis that befell Italy after the First World War, construction was rather slow. In addition, with the rise to power of Mussolini, the initial draft was significantly changed - the new ruler wanted the main station of Milan to look as monumental as possible.
The main innovation was a huge steel dome covering the platform, designed by Alberto Fava. Building Milano Central, which is a magnificent example of architecture of the first half of the twentieth century, is made in the Art Deco style with modern elements: the magnificent building of gray stone is decorated with ornate bas-reliefs, as well as sculptures - both large paired and small.
Milan station building is decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures
The grand opening of the main train station in Milan took place in May 1931, since then the appearance of the building has not changed, only the infrastructure has developed.
Today it has everything for the comfort and convenience of passengers: modern ticket offices, ticket terminals, information kiosks, left-luggage offices, a medical center, many cafes, restaurants, shops.
How to get to the station in the city
Milan Central Station is located on Duca d'Aosta Square, which is easily accessible from any part of the city - the public transport system that BlogoItaliano already wrote about here in Milan is very developed.
The easiest way to get to the station is by metro - it is at the intersection of the second and third lines, which are indicated on the subway map in green and yellow. The station you want to exit is called Centrale FS.
Milan metro station called Centrale FS
More information about the work of the Milan metro can be found in the article Metro in Milan: map, cost, opening hours.
From areas not covered by the subway network, the train station can be reached by bus - the bus stop for transport from the city is located on the west side of the station building.
In addition, you can always use a taxi, if, of course, finances allow, because Milan taxi is not a cheap pleasure.
Helpful advice: Even if you’re in the city for just a few hours, we recommend downloading Milan’s mobile audio guide for iPhone. The application has a ready-made audio tour of the center of Milan, which will allow you to see all the most important things in the city and will cost much less than even the most budget-oriented excursions.
The full version costs only € 5, but you can listen to the first few points for free. You can install the application on this page.
How to get to Milano Central from airports
From Malpensa Airport, located almost 50 kilometers from the city, to Milan Central Station can be reached by one of the express trains.
The easiest and most popular way - buses of the famous European low-cost airline Terravision. Carrier buses depart from both terminals of Malepensa Airport, and Milano Centrale is their final stop in the city. Routes depart daily with an interval of 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. One way travel costs 8 Euros. Travel time is about 50 minutes. You can buy bus tickets online on this page.
From Malpensa and Bergamo airports you can get to Central Station by Terravision buses
If you are accustomed to comfort - take a taxi, this can be done either directly upon arrival or in advance by ordering a taxi via the Internet. More information on how to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan can be found here.
Taxi from Milano Central
From Bergamo Airport to Milano Centrale, Terravision buses also run. Routes depart at intervals of 20-30 minutes from 4 a.m. to 00:45. Tickets are cheaper than from Malpensa - 5 Euro one way. You can purchase them online on this page. BlogoItaliano described in more detail how to get from Bergamo airport to Milan in this article.
If you landed in Linate Airport, located 8 kilometers southeast of Milan, you can get to Milano Central by Stam bus.
The stop is located to the right of the exit from the airport, a bus ticket can be purchased at the machine, which is located directly at the stop, or from the driver. The trip from the airport to the station will take about 35 minutes. Alternatively, take advantage of the ubiquitous taxi service.
Trains from Milan Central Station to Italian cities
It is very convenient to travel around Italy by train - all the major cities of the country are connected by high-speed rail lines, which allows you to travel quickly and comfortably.
Of course, a ticket for a high-speed express train is slightly more expensive than a regular train, but travel time is also significantly reduced - about two times. From the Milan train station, trains leave for Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples, Turin and other important cities in Italy.
From Milan Central, trains depart to all important cities in Italy
You can travel from Milan to Rome by express train in 3-3.5 hours, a regular train takes noticeably twice as long due to the many intermediate stops.
You can get from Milan to Venice in 2.5-3 hours, the travel time depends on which train you choose. Trains leave from Milano Centrale almost every hour.
To Florence, the high-speed train takes no more than two hours, but if you bought a ticket for a regular train, the journey will take from 3 to 4 hours, depending on the number of stops.
In more detail about the ways to get from Milan to the most important cities of Italy, BlogoItaliano wrote in separate articles, considering each option in detail:
- How to get from Milan to Rome and from Rome to Milan
- How to get from Turin to Milan and from Milan to Turin
- How to get from Milan to Florence and from Florence to Milan
- How to get from Milan to Venice and from Venice to Milan
Going on vacation in high season, it is better to buy train tickets in advance - via the Internet. Although the railway connection in Italy is well developed, and the Milan train station is one of the best such sites in Europe, Italy is one of the most visited countries in the World, and most of the tourist flow runs along the same paths.
As a result, in the season, the queue at the cash register can stretch for several hours. In addition, Italy is still not uncommon for the absence of English-speaking staff even at key tourist sites, which also does not add to the convenience of communication.
The station in Milan serves more than 300 thousand passengers daily.
Order tickets for trains from Milan via the Internet it is possible through the Omio service former GoEuro. The order form is extremely simple and understandable, and the range of covered routes provides for all the main cities in Italy. The ticket itself, after ordering it, arrives by e-mail. By the way, this is the first such service in Russian covering all major Italian railway companies.
Choose a convenient hotel in close proximity to Milan Central Station most convenient here.
| Check schedule and availability of tickets ››› |
Useful articles about Italian railways:
- Termini Station: Rome Main Station
- Italian Railways: train schedules and ticket purchases
- Map of Italy Railways: Train Routes in Italy
Photos by: marco mazzone, JasonParis, Dan Augood, A25, SAITOR.
