If you're taking the train from Milano Centrale to Venezia, which is over 2 hours, here's one…read morepiece of advice: arrive early! Milano Centrale is a beautiful station, but it's also incredibly busy. There are people everywhere, trains constantly arriving and departing, and the departure boards can be overwhelming if it's your first time navigating an Italian train station. I was trying to catch a train that was leaving soon, and reading the departure board while figuring out which platform I needed was a little stressful. I asked a few people for help, but they either couldn't or didn't want to assist me. Thankfully, I eventually found a very kind station employee who pointed me in the right direction, and I literally made my train by the skin of my teeth! If you're visiting from the United States, don't assume it's as simple as walking in a few minutes before departure. Give yourself at least 30 minutes and honestly 45 minutes if it's your first time. That extra time will let you: Find your train on the departure board. Confirm your platform (track). Navigate the station without rushing. Avoid the stress of missing your train. Arrive even earlier to shop! Once I got on board, everything was smooth, but those first few minutes in the station definitely had my heart racing! **My tip:** Take a deep breath, arrive early, and don't wait until the last minute. It'll make your train experience much more enjoyable.

I can't really review a lot about this station; we trained in from Milan on our way to Verona then…read morecame back this way through on our way back to Malpensa on our way home. We did notice that there are a good number of restaurants, shops and cafes for travelers, and we did end up stopping for a focaccia sandwich each before our next train pulled in. On our first stop in, the city experienced a hail storm, which was loud against the metal roof of the station. It came out of nowhere, and went as quickly as it came. It was loud and a little startling, but pretty dang cool. It's easy to navigate and find your necessary platforms, and it's clean and feels safe. The staff was friendly and seemed attentive to the people walking around.

Located near one of the exits of the lovely Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, Porta Venezia is a…read morestation on the M1 (Red) line and does have disabled access with stairs, lift and escalator. At the platform, there is a visual indicator of the next train to arrive, where it's headed (since one line splits near the end) and how long until the train arrives. There is a vending machine with drinks and snacks. Despite that, the station was litter and graffiti free. There is also an interchange here with the suburban railway network, but I was here for a metro ride. Porta Venezia is between Palestro (toward Rho or Bisceglie) and Lima (toward Sesto 1º Maggio). The station features side platforms, so the train doors will open on the right. [Review 10723 overall, 491 of 2019.]

So thankful for the Malpensa Express and that the station is basically connected to the Sheraton at…read moreT1 Malpensa Airport. It makes for a super convenient and economic way to get from the airport or the Sheraton if you are staying there, to Milan! This review is if you're trying to get to Milan from T1 or the Sheraton. Make sure to purchase your ticket to get off at the Cadorna stop. Tickets are 13 euros each way. Make sure to have your ticket handy, as they have train staff come through to scan tickets. There have been times where they don't come by, but always make sure to have your tickets. You can purchase your tickets inside the terminal and then take the escaltor down to the track. It's super easy. Malpensa Express to Cardona takes about 45ish minutes. It is not non-stop, there are some stops along the way.

Malpensa Express is a convenient, public transport from Downtown Milan to Malpensa airport and vice…read moreversa. When living in the Centro Storico section of Milan we used this service often and boarded at the Cadorna train station. Have your ticket ready to scan for access to the platform and to show the train conductor. See the departures board at the station for track assignment. In our experience, Malpensa Express has a dedicated track at each station so if you use it often, you know where it will be. When purchasing tickets specify if you want to arrive at the Malpensa T1 or T2 station. One terminal is for flights within Schengen, the other is for destinations that require boarder crossing. Your flight confirmation should specify which terminal you are leaving from. Malpensa Express trains are 'direct'. When traveling from Cadorna to T1 the trip takes just over half an hour and costs one way thirteen euro. A direct train to T2 takes 3/4 of an hour for the same price. Other direct trains depart from Centrale station and Garibaldi station. All are the same price. Be sure you are using the Malpensa Express website to book these 'door to door' trains online. Each trip is under an hour in duration and conveniently arrive right below the airport. The trains offer overhead luggage racks for small bags, some storage is located behind/between seats and many cars have luggage racks by the door. All carriages are 1st class, the seats are comfortable and as there are no stops, there is no worries about missing your stop. Malpensa is the 'end of the line' or when leaving from the airport, your station of choice is the 'end of the line'. Several stations in Milan offer this direct Express service but not all of them. In these cases, you will need to book a separate train to reach your final destination or use the Metro. For a train, you may want to try the Trenitalia.com website for an English version of the Italian train service. Metro information is at milanpublictransport.com/metro-milan/ When you purchase your ticket from one of the many ticket machines at the station, be sure to 'punch' the ticket at one of the small green boxes on the platform to validate the ticket. If you purchase the ticket online bring a printout or have a screenshot ready for the conductor. You can purchase your ticket from the ticket agent at the airport station upon arrival. Follow the signs for Malpensa Express down to the lower level. A ticket counter is located at the top of the escalators and ticket machines are off to one side. The agents are not known for being chatty in English. All you need to know is how many biglietti you need ('bee-eht-tee') and what station you are trying to reach: Centrale, Garibaldi, etc. The ticket machines offer a number of language options - just touch the British flag icon for English.

Mind the doors. On…read morea recent family trip to Milan, we used the subway to cross the city. Always making sure to enter each subway car in a timely manner. At the Duomo M3 a lady ran to make the train, but her long braided hair got stuck as the doors shut and she could not pull it from the closed doors. I pulled the emergency brake before the train started to move. This opened the doors and allowed her hair to be released from the tightly closed doors that had trapped her hair. Of course this caused a delay in transit, but someone just came to our car, reset the lever and once again the subway was back in service. Thank goodness she was okay, but definitely mind the doors.

The Duomo metro stop is larger underground than it appears. There are many, and I do mean many,…read moreentrances/exits to this station. Some has chair lifts to navigate steps but most entrances have many steps and some have long hallways leading under the Piazza del Duomo. Exiting you will end up in one corner, or another of Piazza del Duomo or near Via Torino if you walk a bit further along. Once underground, you will see several automated ticket machines near the underground entrance turnstiles. Sometimes you will find a person there who wishes to 'help' you purchase your tickets. These folks are looking for a tip. If you don't need help, just say 'no grazie' and go about your business. The machines have language options to help. Once you have your ticket, scan at the turnstile and make your way down the escalators. There are maps throughout the underground to check you get on the correct train. If you prefer to purchase your tickets from a person, head up the ramp (turnstiles will be on your left) and here you will find a small area with some shops and a ticket area. Many shops in subways throughout Milan will sell tickets. Just look for the "Biglietti" sign and have cash ready. The is often a line. If you look around this area, you will see underground walkways leading off to the left. This long corridor is lined with cafe's and stores. Eventually, you will end up in the San Babila metro station where you can exit behind the Duomo shopping area. Lots of shops and some churches between San Babila and the Duomo. Exiting at Piazza del Duomo you will find the Duomo, Duomo museum, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele the oldest indoor shopping arcade in Italy, Museo del Novecento, shopping and restaurants behind the Duomo, across the street from the Duomo you will find Piazza dei Mercanti a medieval square off the pedestrian zone that leads to Castello Sforzesco. You will find many stores, restaurants and theaters in the pedestrian zone. Teatro alla Scala, a statue of Leonardo Di Vinci and Palazzo Marino are on the other side of Galleria Emanuele, just walk through. Panzerotti Luini, Milan street food, is on Via San Radegonda where you'll get a sweet or savory 'panzerotto' for just a few euro. In the west corner the metro station exits onto Via Falcone, one block south of Via Torino which includes many clothing stores. Wander the streets off Via Torino into the Centro Storico section of Milan where you'll find cobble stone streets, archeological sights, many churches and ancient piazzas. Good metro stop.