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Considering a trip from the City of Lights to the fashion capital of the world and need more information about taking the train from Paris to Milan? Start your journey here!
On average, the train journey from Paris to Milan takes 9 hours, 50 minutes, but can take 6 hours, 49 minutes on the fastest Frecciarossa trains. As there are direct services available between Paris and Milan, you don’t need to worry about changing along the way. Hop on a modern Frecciarossa 1000 train or a TGV INOUI train at Paris Gare de Lyon and cruise through the French countryside and over the Italian border before arriving at Milano Centrale station.
When you arrive in Milan, you can step off the train and start exploring the city! You won’t need to wait at baggage reclaim or get a transfer from the airport, as you and your belongings will already be in the heart of the city.
If you’re not sure where to begin, why not check out:
Feeling eager to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from Paris to Milan today using our Journey Planner.
It takes an average of 11h 44m to travel from Paris to Milan by train, over a distance of around 397 miles (639 km). There are normally 32 trains per day traveling from Paris to Milan and tickets for this journey start from $49.98 when you book in advance.
First train | 7:22 am | |
---|---|---|
Last train | 9:00 pm | |
Departure station | Paris | |
Arrival station | Milan | |
Journey time | From 8h 12m | |
Distance | 397 miles (639 km) | |
Frequency | 32 trains per day | |
Changes | Direct trains available | |
Price | From $49.98 | |
Train and bus operators | Trenitalia, BlaBlaCar Bus, SNCF, Flixbus |
TGV is the high-speed train service of the SNCF company. It connects the major cities of France at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). All TGV trains are equipped with a food carriage, a free WiFi connection, power sockets and fold-down tables. Two comfort classes are offered – First Class and Second Class, with flexible fare options available and access to the Grand Voyageur lounge in some stations.
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power outlets and more.
Prefer to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional extras.
On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches), plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches). If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm or 35.4 x 51.1 inches), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches) pieces of luggage authorised.
All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar car offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in car 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer.
TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand baggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey.
Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a leash. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Paris to Milan by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Due to a landslide reported in the French Alps on August 27, several railway lines have been interrupted between Italy and France.
All trains between Paris and Milan will be suspended for several weeks, however the exact date when services will resume has not been confirmed yet.
Trenitalia trains between Paris and Lyon will be suspended from September 4, for an unknown period. If you’re traveling on this route, TGV INOUI and OUIGO trains will continue to run as normal.
The following Frecciarossa trains operating between Milan and Paris will not run until further notice:
Keep reading for more information on all the other services you can find on board trains along the route from Paris to Milan.
If you’re flying into Paris, you’ll need to travel from the airport to the heart of the city. Read on for more information on how to get to the city center from each of the airports in Paris.
Read on for more information about Paris Gare de Lyon, where your train trip from Paris to Milan will begin.
There are plenty of amenities at Paris Gare de Lyon, including:
You can get to Gare de Lyon in Paris using public transportation.
The journey from Paris to Milan takes around 7 hours, depending on which route you take. There are direct trains from Paris to Milan – if you choose a direct route, you’ll travel on either a TGV INOUI train or a Frecciarossa train.
If you’re taking a direct train to Milan, your train may call at some of the following places:
Alternatively, you may choose to travel on a route where you have to transfer between trains. You’ll travel on a combination of TGV INOUI trains, TGV Lyria trains, SBB trains and Trenitalia trains. You may have to change trains at Turin (Torino Porta Susa), Zürich or Lugano.
Either way, you’ll arrive in Milan at either Milano Centrale train station or Milano Porta Garibaldi train station.
All the information you need about your journey will be displayed in our Journey Planner when you search for tickets, so you can find the trip that best suits you. Or, check out our article about traveling from Paris to Milan, Italy, by train.
Traveling from Paris to Milan by train means you’ll arrive at either Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi station.
If you’re arriving in Milan at Milano Centrale station, you can expect to find a wide range of cafés, restaurants and shops (including an impressive food market), as well as baggage storage (fees apply) and free WiFi.
From Milan Central station, you can get around the city using the following public transport options which stop at the station:
The other station you may arrive at is Milano Porta Garibaldi station. Here, you’ll find restaurant chains such as Wagamama and McDonald’s, as well as an assortment of shops you can browse.
Milano Porta Garibaldi is served by the following modes of transport:
Milan has a widespread public transport network, including trams, buses, trolleybuses and a metro system.
On ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) services within Milan, you can use a contactless debit or credit card to pay for your travel. It’s also possible to buy tickets at metro stations using the automated ticket machines.
We’ve handpicked a few places that you might want to see when visiting Milan – here's how to get there on public transport:
Milan is full of places to visit - plus, it's a great base for some day trips to other parts of Italy. View our round-up here:
After visiting Milan, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With a Eurail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
You can use a Eurail Pass if you’re not a European citizen or resident. If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass instead.
If Milan is the last stop on your tour of Europe, you might be heading back home by plane. We’ll tell you how to get to each of Milan’s three airports by train and bus.
How to get to Milan Malpensa Airport from the city center
Malpensa Airport is in north-western Milan, 31 miles away from the city center. Getting to the airport from central Milan is super easy thanks to the Malpensa Express train operated by Trenord and the efficient bus network in the area.
Trains to Malpensa Airport
Two services connect Malpensa Airport to the city center: the Malpensa Express, and Trenitalia regional trains.
With Malpensa Express, you can get to Malpensa Airport from the city center in under an hour. Malpensa Express services run every day between Malpensa Airport Terminals 1 and 2 and the main train stations in Milan, including Milan Central Station, Milano Porta Garibaldi, Milano Cadorna, and Milano Bovisa.
From the city center, you can also take one of Trenitalia’s regional trains to the airport. Unlike the Malpensa Express, these services call at more stops, including Ferno-Lonate Pozzolo, Busto Arsizio Nord, Castellanza, Rescaldina, Saronno, Milano Bovisa and Milano Porta Garibaldi.
Buses to Malpensa Airport
If you prefer a cheaper option, you can also travel on one of the following buses:
How to get to Linate airport from the city center
As there’s no direct train to Linate Airport from the city center, the best way to travel between these places is to take the bus:
How to get to Milan Bergamo airport from the city center
As Bergamo Orio Al Serio Airport doesn’t have a train station, there’s no direct train you can take from Milan’s city center stations. You'll need to get a train to Bergamo train station, then a bus to the airport. Take a regional train from Milano Centrale to Bergamo station, then hop on bus line 1 to the airport.
Alternatively, you can take one of the following buses:
The average journey time by train between Paris and Milan is 11 hours and 44 minutes, with around 32 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
The fastest journey time by train from Paris to Milan is 8 hours and 12 minutes.
Train tickets from Paris to Milan can start from as little as $49.98 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
Yes, it is possible to travel from Paris to Milan without having to change trains. There is 1 direct train from Paris to Milan each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
The first train from Paris to Milan leaves at 07:22. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
The last train from Paris to Milan leaves at 21:00. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
Trains travelling from Paris to Milan cover a distance of around 397 miles (639 km) during the journey.
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Milan to Paris.