Jim just posted a temporary low fare from the east coast to Mxp.The fare from jfk to mxp in late may is 466 with taxes.I can turn in my FF ticket and take this,Question how hard to get MXP to Milan train station? is there another train? I already found out that train is 2 hr 45
from milan to florence.Other factors avoids 4
hour layover in MXP,train station is half a mile from my hotel in florence also.RR

According to world ariport guide, http://www.worldairportguide.com/airports/mxp/mxp.asp#PublicTransport
the trip will take 40 minutes to the Cadorna station. There are buses to go straight from MXP to the Centrale station.

Robert, the quickest way to the Milano Centrale train station is to take the bus - Malpensa Shuttle.

Here are a couple of previous threads on how to get from train station. Search on Milan airport train for even more.

Info and link to Malpensa Shuttle Schedule thread

Thread with info on purchasing tickets

Thanks,Now the question-I know I can purchase tickets to the train at the Amex office, How soon before departure do I need to get to the train station? Also how much time between the train arriving and bus departure?I don't mind running!Here is my scenario-[I would have to get up early anyway(7am flight from florence if I keep things as they are, so this may not be as bad as it sounds)-6am train to milan arrives 9:20,9:40 bus to Mxp arrives 10:30 for a 12:30 flight.Is that cutting it too close?Alternative bus from florence to MXp? Rr

OK, believe it or not, I think I understand.
As of right now you have a 7am flight from Florence to Milan but you are wondering if it's possible instead to go by train from Fklorence to Milan and make a 12:30pm flight from MXP. Hmmmm... if everything goes according to plan, you should make it. But if it doesn't you will be facing an expensive taxi ride to MXP or worse, missing your flight altogether. Why not train to Milan the night before, and overnight there? Then you'll have lots less stress the day of your flight. Here's to reducing stress all around!
Marie Marko

The whole impetus to the trip is the 62 mile Passatore which I finish at about 5am on the 30th of May,I am sure I will not want or desire
to travel back to florence then up to Milan.(Or carry my bags the 62 miles)
The reason to switch? A fare of 456 Jfk to MIlan
making the total fare Lax to Milan 668,plus I get Mileage worth about $250 so net cost is$450.(including the fee to turn in FF ticket) I would rather have my 50,000 miles than $450.RR

Robert - our "thinking" process is the same as yours in regards to using FF miles for a ticket or buying the ticket. We always buy the ticket, then use the FF miles for upgrading our tickets.

So, using our thought processs, you can save even more money. First use your 50,000 miles and upgrade to business class. Then, deduct the price of a business class round-trip ticket (about $3500) from your $668 ticket and you save $2832!

Of course, there is always the challenge of "saving" so much money that you go broke.

I don't do business class,I feel it is a waste of time to get 6 more inches of room,lets not even talk food on airlines even if it is really "good" do you really think it can
compare to the best restaurants in Italy?(your paying an extra of $750 worth of miles at 1.5 cents mile, so you can compare it to any other $700 meal) Do you realize that those airline meals are probably the most expensive meals of your life? I just bring my own food,I wish airlines would just give up on food and drinks it just gets in the way of me doing laps of the plane to keep my legs loose!.Now, if I could get Air Force one with my own shower, office and bed maybe that would be worth 50000 miles.I look at 50000 miles as another opportunity to go to Italy, which is in a sense is priceless.RR

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Rainey:
...Now, if I could get Air Force one with my own shower, office and bed maybe that would be worth 50000 miles...RR

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I'll put a call into "dubbayu". If it works, will you treat me to a mojito at our GTG on May 24?

We understand everyone likes different things - especially in flying. We try our best to get upgraded to business class for our Europe - USA portion of flights. Actually the addtional legroom is more like 2 ft, seats fully recline and the comfort is well worth it - at least for us. We find the bargain in that $750 of FF miles gives us a $2500 savings for the upgrade.

On our return flight, the upgrade is noy as important, we usually are on a 767 and are able to get exit-row reclining - through in an Ambian and we wake up somewhere over the Swiss Alps.

As to meals - YUK! Probably the worst meals are the pasta or the "mystery" meats. Traveling to the USA, we also take food of our own.

We also buy tickets and then upgrade, but on the eastbound flights most importantly, given a greater propensity for jet-lag in that direction (but everyone is different in how he/she is affected.) I agree with Bill and Patty that the extra space is very noticeable, and that it allows us to arrive much more rested with less time needed to adjust to the nine hours' time difference.

I envy people that can sleep on airplanes,that is why I made the airforce one comment.I can't even sleep when I have 4 seats to myself and can lay down!(combination of excitement,
insomnia, bad airplane air,dehydration,and being uncomfortable)So paying a whole ticket of value(50000 miles)dosn't make any sense.Even the first class seat with 100% recline would not
be sleepable to me,just maybe with that bed in air force one though,ok Marian go ahead and book it if you can get the president to take my 50000 miles,can I also get a hellicopter ride to the airport?RR

The train station from MXP is a piece of cake. I make that run every year, sometimes twice a year. When you pick up your bags, you will go through customs, which is usually unmanned and takes no time. Exit into the terminal and turn right.Keep walking until you hit door 6 and go out. there are two shuttle companies now which make the trip into the city and bring you literally to the front door of the station. Shuttles leave every half hour. The Malpensa Shuttle is the more established of the two, and their times are slightly staggered. the service is the same. Nice buses. The cost is 4.50 euro, as of October 2003. the Trip is 45 minutes and the bus makes two quick stops-- one at the next door terminal, and a second at the Feria (Milan's exhibition hall). If you are in a time crunch, get on the www.trenitalia.it website and check the train schedules and get your tickets. The buses begin running at 5am, but I am not sure when they end. A taxi will cost almost 100 euros for the exact same ride and save you virtually no time. The overnight stay in Milan recommended by someone else is OK, but hotels are expensive, with single rooms near the station going for about 115-120 euros. If you do that, I recommend the Albert hotel at Via Tonale 2, right across the streetfrom the station. It's very nice and it also is the cheapest in the area as well, but very popular with businessmen, and hard to get into. Check their website for availability. Another good option only 1/2 block from the other side of the station is the Hotel Florida, at Via Lepetit 33. Same rooms, but costs a bit more, the staff is very nice. I stay there a lot.Let us know what you decide and how it turns out!

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Rainey:
just maybe with that bed in air force one though,ok Marian go ahead and book it if you can get the president to take my 50000 miles,can I also get a hellicopter ride to the airport?RR

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Sure. If I can do AirForce 1, no one would expect you to get there on your own! I'll keep in touch.