GENERAL
PREPARATIONS
LIFE IN GENOA
ARRIVAL
updated: 1 November 2023
Please send to your professors your travel information when you have this settled: who is traveling together, flight numbers, flight arrival time in Italy, estimated arrival in Genoa (if you are landing in Milan and taking a train to Genoa). Plan to arrive in Genoa at a reasonable time (mid-afternoon) on Program Opening day.
Most apartments are in pedestrian areas and are not directly accessible by cab. When we have all arrival information we will make a schedule of when and where 'first-arrivals' for each apartment can meet someone from the housing agency to get a key and an orientation to the apartment and appliances. The later arrivals will be let in by the housemate already in the apartment. The first-arrival for each apartment must arrive at a reasonable hour to be met by the housing agency personnel. Mid-afternoon is a good target, before 8 or 9 pm if it is unavoidable due to travel difficulties and with notice.
In general, everyone flies into either Milan or Genoa. In Milan there is Malpensa airport (MXP) and Linate airport (LIN). Both are fine. In Genoa there is Cristoforo Colombo International Airport (GOA).
IMPORTANT: WHEN YOU INITIALLY LAND IN ITALY OR IN A DIFFERENT SCHENGEN AREA COUNTRY (FRANCE, GERMANY, SPAIN, ETC. BUT NOT GREAT BRITAIN...) BE SURE YOU GET YOUR PASSPORT STAMPED SHOWING DATE AND PLACE OF 'ENTRY'. THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR LEGAL REASONS TO DECLARE YOUR 'PRESENCE' IN ITALY TO THE LOCAL IMMIGRATION POLICE. YOU MUST INSIST THAT YOU GET THE PASSPORT STAMPED IF THEY DON'T DO IT AT THE PASSPORT CONTROL BOOTH.
KEEP ALL TICKETS AND BOARDING PASSES REGARDING YOUR ARRIVAL TRAVEL.
IF YOU FLY INTO MILAN
If you land in Milan there are shuttle buses that go from the airports (Malpensa or Linate) to Milano Centrale train station where you will take a train to Genoa. Malpensa also has the Malpensa Express train that goes from airport to Milano Centrale train station.
You will probably land at Malpensa Terminal 1 (T1). When you land withdraw euros from an ATM and follow signs to either the shuttle bus area or the Malpensa Express train. Tickets for the bus can be bought directly before boarding the bus. Tickets for the Malpensa Express train can be bought online or at a machine at the airport.
Malpensa Express ticket costs 13 euro, generally runs twice an hour but check online: https://www.malpensaexpress.it/en/
The shuttle buses run more frequently and costs about 10 euros.
It takes about an hour to arrive at the Milano Centrale train station using either means of transport.
At the Milano Centrale train station you can get a train to Genoa any time of day until around 9 pm (when there are no more trains to Genoa), but we want you to arrive in Genoa by late afternoon.
Italian train website (English): https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
Go into the station and look for the ticket area/biglietteria. Buy your train ticket from one of the red machines (English available and easy to use) or at the ticket counter (biglietteria, but there may be a line). As your arrival at the train station has a number of unknowns, it may be best to buy your ticket when you arrive in Milan rather than online beforehand. Use this information:
from: Milano Centrale
to: Stazione Genova Piazza Principe (or Stazione Genova Brignole, depending on location of your apartment)
seconda classe
solo andata (one-way)
The tickets will either be for 'Regionale' trains (R or RV on the screen, slightly slower and less expensive) or Intercity (IC) or Freccia (faster and more expensive, with reserved seat).
With a regional ticket you may need to 'validate' your ticket if it is a stiff paper ticket with 'validate' printed on one end. If it is a thin paper ticket with a time and date already on it you do not need to validate it. Ask a Trenitalia agent if you are uncertain. If the ticket must be validated use one of the yellow machines at the beginning of the train platform that you see everyone else using to validate (stamp) their tickets. A regional train ticket is valid for any regional train on the date printed on the ticket and on or after the time printed on the ticket for up to four hours. This gives you some flexibility with a regional ticket if you miss your train.
If you are on an Intercity (IC) train or Freccia your ticket will have a specific time of departure and a reserved seat (you should sit there to avoid problems with other passengers boarding), so you don't need to have the ticket validated in one of the yellow machines. If you miss your train you will need to go to ‘information’ to have the ticket changed for a later train.
The train from Milan to Genoa takes about 1.5 hours for an Intercity or Freccia train, about two hours for a regional train.
There are a number of train stations in Genoa (a long city), so you should get off at Stazione Genova Piazza Principe (sometimes designated as Genova P.P.) or Stazione Genova Brignole.
Remember: it takes about an hour to get from Malpensa airport to the Milano Centrale train station. It takes 1.5-2 hours to get from Milano Centrale to Genova Piazza Principe train station. Meaning 2.5-3 hours minimum of travel time, no waiting time included.
IF YOU FLY INTO GENOA AIRPORT
In general, there are three ways to get from the Genoa airport into the city: Airlink bus+train, Volabus, or taxi.
Genoa airport transport info: https://www.airport.genova.it/en/transportation-airport-2/
the inexpensive way:
If you need an economical solution, try:
Airlink Bus+Train: bus from airport to Sestri Ponente train station with bus ticket of 1.60 euros, use same ticket to take train to Genova Piazza Principe train station. Remember to validate (stamp) your ticket on the bus, and again (on the back of the ticket) at the Sestri Ponente train station.
Volabus: from airport to Genova Piazza Principe train station, 6 euros.
Get off at stazione Genova Piazza Principe, go out the front door and take a cab to your apartment.
the easy way:
Leave the airport and take a cab. You will be provided with the addresses for the meeting points for the various apartments.
Theoretically the price is fixed at 25 euros from airport to city center for up to four people, if there is space for luggage. If you are tired and have a lot of luggage, this is the way to go and it will get you to or close to your apartment.
DEPARTURE
You must be out of your apartment by noon on the Program Closure date. No one can stay in housing the night of the Program Closure date unless it is approved by housing agency (at student's expense).
You must clean your apartment before you go, which means empty the refrigerator and cabinets, and take out all trash and recycling. Tidy up bathrooms and kitchens. Linens will be washed by housing agency after you depart. Please leave the apartments in good order or you may forfeit your deposit. Last person leaving can leave apartment keys inside on a table.