Genoa to Airport

Q: My wife and I arrive in Genoa, Italy on the MSC Sinfonia at 9am on May 19 and are booked to fly from Milan Malpensa Airport to Amsterdam at 18.50pm. Could you please advise the best way to go from Genoa harbour to the airport? - Robert van Kerpel.

A: The first thing you should do is check whether the cruise company has arranged a bus transfer directly from the port to the airport. This would take a load off your shoulders, but you would lose out on a chance to see a some of these beautiful cities. The distance between the port and Milan airport is 183kms and it takes around two hours by taxi or limousine. An executive minibus booked in advance would cost you around 350 Euros, but there is no need to pay that much. You have plenty of time to get to the airport so you make as well see some of Milan or Genoa. Even if you don't check out the churches and palaces of Genoa, make sure you spend time in the harbour which has been transformed by the famous architect and the city's native son Renzo Piano. Check out the shops and restaurants before you make your way to Milan, the commercial and fashion capital of Italy. The easiest way to do this is to catch the train from Genoa P.P. station for Milano Centrale station. A train leaves every 30 minutes over peak periods and the journey takes around 90 minutes. It should cost you less fhan 10 Euro per person. After you have had your fill of Milan, you can take the Malpensa Shuttle bus service from the Central station to Malpensa Airport. It only takes about 20 minutes and costs less than 10 Euro (www.malpensashuttle.it). If you really want to travel by train to the airport, you would take the Malpensa Express train from the Cadorna Railway Station in central Milan to terminal 1 of Malpensa Airport. Trains depart every 30 minutes and the journey from Cadorna Station to Malpensa lasts about 40 minutes. For information and tickets, check out www.malpensaexpress.it or telephone:+39.02.85114382 (30/1/11)