 | Milan Central Station Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 13 |  |
Another nightmare when you are in a hurry to catch the train! No matter which station I've been to (Milan, Turin, Genoa, Vicenza), there where very long lines to the ticketing offices.
And long lines in this case means more than 20-30 persons and even an hour or more in line.
Luckily the ticketing machine was invented and in most of the stations are at least a couple of these wonderful discoveries. (see my Transportation tips)
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I thought I'd share an event that happened to me at the Stazione Centrale, so that you can watch out for it and not fall victim to the same trick.
Travelling alone, I had just got on board my train (Milan - Brig, Switzerland) and had one trolley bag, my computer backpack and my handbag with me. I put the trolley bag in the baggage section (usually located at each end of the coach), there were quite a few other suitcases there as well. I went to my seat, putting my PC bag on the window seat and sat down in the aisle seat, facing the baggage section so that I could keep an eye on my trolley bag.
About a minute before departure, some guy comes on to the train and hovers around the baggage area like he's looking for something. He then starts gesticulating wildly and speaking in some strange language, everyone's looking at him... and then I realise he's looking right at me. Then he actually reaches for my trolley bag! Of course I jump up to ask him what the hell he was doing. When I take a couple of steps towards him, he puts my trolley bag down again and jumps off the train. A bit shaken, I turn back to my seat but find that while I was distracted by this guy, his accomplice had come from behind me and grabbed my computer bag and ran off in the other direction, It happened so quickly that the other passengers didn't even know what was going on! I now didn't have a choice but to grab my trolley bag and jump off the train with like 20 seconds to go before it pulled out. I asked the conductor on the platform if he'd seen anything, but of course he didn't. So I had to make a police report and take a later train.
The thing is, they must have been following me to be able to identify the trolley bag with the owner. They also chose to strike just before the train left so that I might probably not have had time to get off the train to ask for help.
It is all just extremely sickening, but at least they didn't get my passport. Leave a Comment
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Milan Central Train Station is a wild place. It it huge with all kinds of people. Watch out for pick pockets, especailly women and children (they teach them young there). Keep close eye on your luggage, put your wallet in your front pocket and keep your eyes moving on eveyone.
Central Station is loud and confusing. Just get your day ticket at a tobacco store, go to the Duomo and get out of there ASAP. If you hang around there long enough, something will go wrong. Keep an eye on your baggage on the train also. I have heard of people walking off with it.
Milan is big and worth seeing, but keep your guard up at all times.
Ciao. Leave a Comment
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Just a little warning that when I travelled to Milan in March this year I had my suitcase stolen. I was flying from London to Bergamo (Ryanair) and we had to then get a coach from Bergamo airport onto our hotel in Milan. At Bergamo I bought my coach ticket, placed my bag in the luggage department as instructed and then got on the coach. When we got to Central Station, Milan I got off the coach to get my bag and it was gone. I reported it to the police, who weren’t very surprised I must say, and whilst I was filling out my form another young girl came running in saying that her bag had been stolen off her coach from Bergamo airport. This seams to be an organised crime. I was lucky I had insurance but I still would’ve preferred my luggage!!! Leave a Comment
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..in Duomo square.
Milan is not that dangerous, but most of the pickpockets' victims are tourists.
There are few chances you'll end up in an unsafe area of the city, but pickpocket can rob you even in a "safe" place..
Be careful in the metro and in crowded buses or trams. Leave a Comment
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Women shouldn't go the the Centrale Stazione area alone a night. Unfortunately it's where you catch the Eurorail so if your train stops here in the late hours try to find a buddy or ask someone to walk you to a taxi or whatever.
Just like any major city be smart and don't get carried away with the charm of the Italian men. I, being a single female, never felt weary strolling around the city center at night. I was approached many times by men asking me to accompany them for some wine or espresso, and they can be quite persistant, but I never felt scared just tired after repeatedly explaining no I do not want to join you for a bottle of wine. Leave a Comment
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Bring a few sheets of your own toilet tissue, kleenex, or napkins with you just in case. If you use the restroom in the train station, they charge you for the toilet paper. (or at least they used to when I was last there back in 2002) Leave a Comment
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As usual in big cities avoid the Central Station & others stations areas after 9-10pm ...
Generally speking Milan is not a 'walking' city late in the evening, just take a taxi and go wherever you wanna go but I think it is not advisable just to hangin' around ...
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Beware of anyone who approaches you at the ticket machines in central station - especially in the metro. They do things like steal your change and tickets from the dispensing slot. Not serious, but highly irritating.
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