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Milano / Milan / Mailand to London by train
How to take a thrilling high speed rail journey Milan to London
Despite the reduced Eurostar timetable in response to the pandemic, it is still not only possible, but entirely feasible to make a journey by train during the day from Milano to London (as long as you won't be travelling on a Saturday).
The timings allow plenty of time to cross Paris , so you won't be rushing from the onward connection against the clock.
Though something to look out for is that the trains to Paris will depart from Porta Garibaldi station in Milano and not at the city's main station, Milano Centrale.
What isn't now an option is taking an overnight train from Milano and then a Eurostar on from Paris, as the night train between Italy and Paris has now been withdrawn.
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Routes
From Milano Porta Garibaldi to London St Pancras International
Journey Summary
from 11hr 39min
Daily
Travel Information
Note that the TGVs between Milano and Paris depart from Milano Porta Garibaldi station and NOT from the city's main station, Milano Centrale.
You will need to make the transfer between the Gare De Lyon, where the TGV will arrive, and the Gare Du Nord, from where the Eurostar will depart.
Change trains in: Paris
2 x optimum connection per day (except on Saturdays)
On Saturdays the 08:45 train from Milano is due to into Paris at 16:12 and the final Eurostar of the day on to London is due to depart at 17:13.
Trainline doesn't seem to offer this combination of trains as a booking, possibly because if the train from Milan is delayed by more than 25-30mins, it won't then be possible to reach London by the end of the day.
Though if you opt to book separate tickets per train and don't make the connection, you will have to fund the costs of spending the night in Paris and book another Eurostar ticket.
Tickets
Book Early And Save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date.
The Trainline sells tickets for the end-to-end journey daytime train journey from Milano to Paris, which involves taking a TGV and a Eurostar train AND it doesn't charge a booking fee on this route.
Book this journey end-to-end and IF the TGV from Milano does happen to arrive in Paris too late to make the booked connection -into the Eurostar, you can transfer your tickets free of charge to a subsequent departure at the Eurostar ticket desk in the Gare Du Nord.
But this won't be an option if you book separate tickets for each train.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trainline | from €85 approx |
Train 1
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Final Destination: Paris
All trains also call at: Torino*
Departing from Milano Porta Garibaldi:
Milano Centrale is the primary station in Milano used by other long distance trains, but the TGVs to Paris depart from the city's main rail commuter hub, Milano Porta Garibaldi.
This station has rail links from across the greater Milano areal; as well as by Metro from the city centre and Milano Centrale station.
The TGVs to Paris don’t use the Milano to Torino high speed seed line, they still travel the old route via Novara.
After Torino/Turin comes a passage through the western Alps with great views, particularly from the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel).
Finally there comes the journey between Chambery and Paris, most of which is on the high speed line.
Train 2
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Final Destination: London St Pancras
Some trains also call at: Ashford International or Ebbsfleet International (these station calls are currently suspended_
Note that London is in a different time zone to mainland Europe, it is one hour behind, so when looking at a timetable the journey will look as though it's an hour shorter.
Checking-in:
Eurostar requests that holders of Standard Class And Standard Premier tickets check-in a minimum of 30mins before departure, and 45mins before departure on weekends and holidays.
It is up to you to allow time to pass through check-in and board the train.
If you have a Business Premier ticket, Eurostar recommends that you only have to check-in 10 mins before departure.
At Gare Du Nord the check in and waiting area for the Eurostar (the 'Hall Du Londres') is at an upper level, above the main concourse.
The access to this upper level is some distance from the voie/platforms/tracks that the Eurostars depart from.
The escalators leading up to Eurostar departures are located at the rear wall of the station building, on the opposite side of the concourse to voies/platforms/tracks 14 - 15.
It's not a scenic journey, but it is a journey with distinct phases and highlights:
1: There is little to see from the high speed lines in France, particularly after Lille (the trains to Paris will rush through Lille Europe station).
2: The train will slow down as it approaches The Channel Tunnel.
Announcements are no longer made that the train is about to enter the tunnel.
The journey through the tunnel will take around 22 mins.
3: As the train nears Ebbsfleet International station, comes the scenic highlight of the journey - the crossing of the River Medway on a high bridge.
4: After Ebbsfleet International (which can only be seen from the right) the train will enter a tunnel under the River Thames.
As the train exits this tunnel, from the left, the Queen Elizabeth II road bridge can be seen.
5: For most of the final 8 -10 mins of the journey the trains use tunnels to enter London (Stratford International station is located between the tunnels).
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