Bergamo or Milan for Italian GP?
Discussion
Which would be the better or nicer place to stay for 3 nights both in terms of train transport and bars/restaurants to visit in the evening? Both appear to have a direct train service to Monza.
We will be driving from Bellagio as part of our Euro trip but want to base ourselves somewhere nearer the circuit and use public transport.
Thank you
We will be driving from Bellagio as part of our Euro trip but want to base ourselves somewhere nearer the circuit and use public transport.
Thank you
Edited by Freddie328 on Friday 16th January 13:32
I can't speak for Bergamo but last year we stayed in Milan. It was very straightforward to get to the circuit and at the Monza end you have a choice of 2 train stations to get off at which helps if you are at the far north side of the circuit. You could probably easily do it by taxi for 40 or 50 euros if anything goes wrong.
Milan as a destination seems to get short shrift on this forum quite regularly, and I suspect that is due to many unfortunately finding the tourist areas, which are frankly not that much fun and are expensive. However we found plenty to do and the Navigli district down by the canals was excellent on both nights we spent there - it was lively and there were plenty of bars and restaurants covering all price points.
http://italychronicles.com/milans-buzzing-naviglio...
Brera was also recommended by a couple of taxi drivers and was again a good evening out - it's away from the tourist areas, has a bit of a buzz, and is where many of the locals head out to eat of an evening.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g18...
The circuit was, of course, brilliant.
Milan as a destination seems to get short shrift on this forum quite regularly, and I suspect that is due to many unfortunately finding the tourist areas, which are frankly not that much fun and are expensive. However we found plenty to do and the Navigli district down by the canals was excellent on both nights we spent there - it was lively and there were plenty of bars and restaurants covering all price points.
http://italychronicles.com/milans-buzzing-naviglio...
Brera was also recommended by a couple of taxi drivers and was again a good evening out - it's away from the tourist areas, has a bit of a buzz, and is where many of the locals head out to eat of an evening.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g18...
The circuit was, of course, brilliant.
Edited by paulyv on Friday 16th January 15:24
Edited by paulyv on Friday 16th January 15:30
Thanks for your suggestions, more questions now for those of you that have been to Milan and Bergamo:-
Would we be better to stay in a hotel 5 mins walk to Milan Central Station, ideal for getting to Monza but away from the Navigli area which seems like the best area to spend the evenings (thank you paulyv!!), or stay in a hotel in the Navigli area, a Metro ride away from MC but in the right area for the evenings. Any suggestions as to what would be best? Better to be walking distance to Central Station but have to use the Metro in the evenings or to use the Metro to get to & from Central and be within walking distance of the bars/restaurants?
Same with Bergamo - having done a little research, I would prefer to stay in the old town but this would mean taking the funicular railway to get to the station to get to Monza. How long does this take? Would we be better to stay near the station and use the funicular in the evenings to visit the old town for something to eat and drink or are there just as nice places in the new town to spend the evenings? We will need a hotel with parking wherever we stay.
Hope this makes sense!
Thank you
Would we be better to stay in a hotel 5 mins walk to Milan Central Station, ideal for getting to Monza but away from the Navigli area which seems like the best area to spend the evenings (thank you paulyv!!), or stay in a hotel in the Navigli area, a Metro ride away from MC but in the right area for the evenings. Any suggestions as to what would be best? Better to be walking distance to Central Station but have to use the Metro in the evenings or to use the Metro to get to & from Central and be within walking distance of the bars/restaurants?
Same with Bergamo - having done a little research, I would prefer to stay in the old town but this would mean taking the funicular railway to get to the station to get to Monza. How long does this take? Would we be better to stay near the station and use the funicular in the evenings to visit the old town for something to eat and drink or are there just as nice places in the new town to spend the evenings? We will need a hotel with parking wherever we stay.
Hope this makes sense!
Thank you
We were in a hotel just through Bergamo's old city, here http://www.lavallettabergamo.it/en/index.asp
A lovely, small and quiet place, but to get there we had to go in/around the old city, and in a car that's a bit of a chore. It's tight, twisty and with some confusing restrictions. If i was doing it again, I'd probably book in the newer part and take trips up for sightseeing and eating.
A lovely, small and quiet place, but to get there we had to go in/around the old city, and in a car that's a bit of a chore. It's tight, twisty and with some confusing restrictions. If i was doing it again, I'd probably book in the newer part and take trips up for sightseeing and eating.
EskimoArapaho said:
We were in a hotel just through Bergamo's old city, here http://www.lavallettabergamo.it/en/index.asp
A lovely, small and quiet place, but to get there we had to go in/around the old city, and in a car that's a bit of a chore. It's tight, twisty and with some confusing restrictions. If i was doing it again, I'd probably book in the newer part and take trips up for sightseeing and eating.
so plenty reasons to be cheerful? A lovely, small and quiet place, but to get there we had to go in/around the old city, and in a car that's a bit of a chore. It's tight, twisty and with some confusing restrictions. If i was doing it again, I'd probably book in the newer part and take trips up for sightseeing and eating.
I would recommend Milan me and some frends stayed there last year for the italian gp and it is very easy to get to and from the track, the first day was abit of a farce with the trains as we didnt look at the routes and times properly but in the end we ended up getting taxis, 45 euro and they drop you in the middle of the track on practise and qualifying days and at the gate on race days. and there are usualy a few taxis driving around the inside of the track if you wait around late enough after the race, saves the sweaty and smelly train ride home
Am leaning toward Bergamo as a nicer place to stay and have found a lovely hotel that seems to be in a nice area only 15 mins walk to the station - Hotel Petronilla.
It is just the journey time that makes me prefer Milan - 11 mins by train as opposed to 47 mins and also more frequent trains. Is Bergamo worth the extra journey time, I'm sure both train services will be extremely busy at that time but is one more likely to be any worse than the other
So many questions I know!!
Thank you
It is just the journey time that makes me prefer Milan - 11 mins by train as opposed to 47 mins and also more frequent trains. Is Bergamo worth the extra journey time, I'm sure both train services will be extremely busy at that time but is one more likely to be any worse than the other
So many questions I know!!
Thank you
It's Italy so as long as you have some insight and background into wherever you are going and you act on it, you're not going to go far wrong. 
As for the train from Milan I do not recall it being that quick a journey on race day, nearer 30 minutes I seem to remember. That's not due to delays - I suspect you are looking at a service that doesn't run on race day. On the other hand the train was comfortable, and free.
Earlier you wondered whether to stay near the central station or near where you want to go out....I would suggest the latter - it's easy to get about the city by public transport, and that way you can be sure to find a pleasant place to eat and chat in the evening.
As for the train from Milan I do not recall it being that quick a journey on race day, nearer 30 minutes I seem to remember. That's not due to delays - I suspect you are looking at a service that doesn't run on race day. On the other hand the train was comfortable, and free.
Earlier you wondered whether to stay near the central station or near where you want to go out....I would suggest the latter - it's easy to get about the city by public transport, and that way you can be sure to find a pleasant place to eat and chat in the evening.
Vaud said:
Or Como? Fast train link, direct - they are coming down from Switzerland. V inexpensive, plus free bus transfer from station to track.
Not all of them, most trains from Como to Monza are local commuter trains, take a little bit longer 38 minutes as opposed to 20. Last year it was 4 Euros on either train.Agree with you Como suggestion though, we've done that for the last two years.
I've done both - stayed in Milan when flying over and in Bergamo after driving over and hence having use of a car.
The main issue with Milan is that the areas you'd ideally want to stay in for nightlife/restaurants are some way from the station. The areas around the station are a bit run down, although not unsafe there's not much to do. Getting from the station to the circuit is a breeze whether you do train/walk or train/bus.
I can't comment on public transport from Bergamo, however the drive to Monza park & ride was easy - no queues, manned car parks (the 355 had them genuflecting on their knees!) and frequent buses.
tbh I don't think it matters where you stay - don't think you'll be missing out if you're not in Milan.
The main issue with Milan is that the areas you'd ideally want to stay in for nightlife/restaurants are some way from the station. The areas around the station are a bit run down, although not unsafe there's not much to do. Getting from the station to the circuit is a breeze whether you do train/walk or train/bus.
I can't comment on public transport from Bergamo, however the drive to Monza park & ride was easy - no queues, manned car parks (the 355 had them genuflecting on their knees!) and frequent buses.
tbh I don't think it matters where you stay - don't think you'll be missing out if you're not in Milan.
paulyv said:
I can't speak for Bergamo but last year we stayed in Milan. It was very straightforward to get to the circuit and at the Monza end you have a choice of 2 train stations to get off at which helps if you are at the far north side of the circuit. You could probably easily do it by taxi for 40 or 50 euros if anything goes wrong.
Milan as a destination seems to get short shrift on this forum quite regularly, and I suspect that is due to many unfortunately finding the tourist areas, which are frankly not that much fun and are expensive. However we found plenty to do and the Navigli district down by the canals was excellent on both nights we spent there - it was lively and there were plenty of bars and restaurants covering all price points.
http://italychronicles.com/milans-buzzing-naviglio...
Brera was also recommended by a couple of taxi drivers and was again a good evening out - it's away from the tourist areas, has a bit of a buzz, and is where many of the locals head out to eat of an evening.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g18...
The circuit was, of course, brilliant.
Thanks for the tip, we ended up staying in Navigli, which turned out to be really vibrant place around the canals for restaurants and bars.Milan as a destination seems to get short shrift on this forum quite regularly, and I suspect that is due to many unfortunately finding the tourist areas, which are frankly not that much fun and are expensive. However we found plenty to do and the Navigli district down by the canals was excellent on both nights we spent there - it was lively and there were plenty of bars and restaurants covering all price points.
http://italychronicles.com/milans-buzzing-naviglio...
Brera was also recommended by a couple of taxi drivers and was again a good evening out - it's away from the tourist areas, has a bit of a buzz, and is where many of the locals head out to eat of an evening.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g18...
The circuit was, of course, brilliant.
Edited by paulyv on Friday 16th January 15:24
Edited by paulyv on Friday 16th January 15:30
Caught the Metro from Romolo to Garibaldi FS (Cost 1.50 Euros), then a train from there to Monza (Cost 2.20 Euros). From there you could jump on a shuttle bus from the station to Monza park, where the circuit is located, (Cost 4.00 Euro return).
It was then a 15 Minute walk through the park to the circuit.
So getting from Milan to the circuit was cheap and easy.
The missus treated me to VIP tickets to the Italian GP for my 40th and I have to say the whole experience was fantastic.
She wanted to do some shopping in Milan so picked an apartment 200m from the station as it allowed easy access to the rail and also a 20 minute walk into center of Milan.
On the Saturday we paid 8 euro each which got us a train from center out to Monza. Then a bus took us through some of the park and dropped us off. Whilst some would grumble, the 20 minute walk to the circuit was a nice way to start the day!
On Sunday, there was a special free direct train from Milan to Lesmo and then another lovely 20 min stroll through the forest to our box just down from the start/finish.
All of it was very well organised and there was plenty of information everywhere. There were no queues and the catering was plentiful and reasonably priced. I was expecting a bit of chaos to be honest but it was very chilled and a really good weekend. Deffo thumbs up for the whole experience. Getting to do the track invasion at the end is pretty cool as well...
regards
Ben
She wanted to do some shopping in Milan so picked an apartment 200m from the station as it allowed easy access to the rail and also a 20 minute walk into center of Milan.
On the Saturday we paid 8 euro each which got us a train from center out to Monza. Then a bus took us through some of the park and dropped us off. Whilst some would grumble, the 20 minute walk to the circuit was a nice way to start the day!
On Sunday, there was a special free direct train from Milan to Lesmo and then another lovely 20 min stroll through the forest to our box just down from the start/finish.
All of it was very well organised and there was plenty of information everywhere. There were no queues and the catering was plentiful and reasonably priced. I was expecting a bit of chaos to be honest but it was very chilled and a really good weekend. Deffo thumbs up for the whole experience. Getting to do the track invasion at the end is pretty cool as well...
regards
Ben
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