I always travel with only a backpack so luggage isn't an issue.

Usually there's a way around ground transport that's easy/fast/cheap. Sometimes you sacrifice one element for another.

I find that minimizing the number of transfers reduces the time and possibiliy of confusion. In some ciities confusion is more likely than others. Places with lots of different types of transport run by many different companies for instance almost always require more on-the-ground information to navigate easily.

I went online an got all sorts of information which left out chunks of info or assumed local knowledge. And there seemed to be lots of choices from lots of different providers

So I came here hoping for the magic key. Looks like there really isn't one for Milan-Bergamo.

So I suppose my preference is to minimize transfers unless the transfers are fairly clear on the ground to someone not from there. I've spent too much time and frustration sorting out connnections with tight timelines to set myself up for that sort of thing.

But if the bus-train-train path outlined above is fairly clear, I have no problem with that.

I did see that the train Milan-Bergamo leaves from both Central and one other station (can't remember right now) which may allow for a direct train from MXP to that Milan-Bergamo train.

Anybody know of that option?

I'm also curious if the bus LIN-Bergamo is less time than the bus-train-train noted above. It seems it would depend on making tight connections of fairly regular departures. All things I don't know.

I'll survive this little segment, just trying to minimize the hassle after an overnight flight. So I suppose "hassle" is key. Short of a taxi (too much money) I'm looking to reduce my hassle factor. I know that's vague but it usually inolves time/irritation, connections, reducing uncertainty, etc. I don't have a deadline to get to Bergamo but I wouldn't like wandering around lost on the way.

When I give people directions for Washington DC, I usually outline the various options, ranging from a taxi to citybus/subway/citybus. I usually use the latter since it's familiar to me, unless I'm in a hurry or an early flight in which case I simply drive.

Not much help, but I'm trying to sort out the optioins and came to FT because the options seemed to be all over the place when I checked online info.