Pavia lies on the railway connecting Milan (Milano) with Genoa (Genova). Most trains call in Pavia after departing from, or calling in, either Milan or Genoa. Milan is however much closer to Pavia (30 km) than Genoa (120 km) and thus if you are considering taking a plane, we suggest that you give priority to landing in Milan.
From Milan, trains to Pavia depart from the following stations:
Milano Central Railway Station ("Milano Centrale")
Milano Lambrate
Milano Rogoredo
Milano Porta Garibaldi
Milano Greco Pirelli
From Genoa, trains depart from the following stations:
Genova Piazza Principe
Genova Brignole
Genova Nervi
Please refer to the Italian Railway web site for up-to-date timetables. You may write "Milan" as place of departure or arrival to mean "any train station in Milan", the same applies for "Genoa".
As an alternative, a bus service is operated between Milan and Pavia by the SILA bus company. Most buses depart from Milan at the Famagosta bus station (which is also an underground station). Timetables can be found on the SILA or on the regional transport web site, unfortunately both in Italian. Buses however depart approx. every 15 to 30 minutes from 6 AM to 8 PM, and the ride lasts between 37 min (express) and 1h10m (omnibus).
The buses arrive in Pavia at the Central Bus Station which is about 100 m away from Pavia railway station.
Once in Pavia station you may reach the "Polo Cravino":
by taxy: it takes about 5 minutes and is quite expensive. A taxi stand is located just outside the railway station, marked by an orange sign "TAXI". Destination "Polo Cravino" or "via Ferrata, 1"
by bus: get off the station into the square in front of it, and seek the bus stop for bus number 3. Take the first bus #3 in direction "TEVERE" or "MAUGERI/MONDINO". Get off at "FERRATA Tangenziale Ovest". On rush hours buses pass every 5 minutes, the ride lasts 5 to 10 minutes
on foot: take the underpass to the back side of the station, opposite the station square. As you reach the floor level again, turn right and walk straight on, always along the same large street. After about 2km you will find yourself on a side of the "Polo Cravino", a cluster of colourful buildings on your right. 20-30 minute walk.
By plane:
"Reasonable" airports are, in increasing distance order, Milano Linate (LIN), Milano Malpensa (MXP), Milano Orio al Serio (BGY) and Genova Cristoforo Colombo (GOA). From GOA take the shuttle to the Porta Principe Station and then a train to Pavia (see section "by train").
From LIN, MXP, BGY you may take a taxi or a shuttle to Milano Centrale railway station, then refer to "by train" section. From LIN you may also take bus # 73 to M1 SAN BABILA underground station, then the underground to the Central Railway Station.
Direct shuttle service to Pavia from LIN, MXP, BGY is actually available, but with only a few rides a day; moreover it is often suspended and thus unreliable. We recommend that you check the airport web sites ( http://www.sea-aeroportimilano.it/en/ for LIN, MXP and (http://www.sacbo.it/Airpor/portalProcess.jsp?languageID=2 for BGY ) and dial the numbers provided to ask for confirmation before planning to take the direct shuttle to Pavia.
The shuttle buses arrive in Pavia at the Central Bus Station which is about 100 m away from Pavia railway station. There you may follow the "by train" directions.
By car:
If you travel by car from Milano or Genoa you should drive through the A7 Highway (Milano-Genova); to get into Pavia take the Bereguardo (Pavia Nord ) exit, then go through the 'Raccordo per Pavia' straight to its end. At this point take the "tangenziale Ovest" of Pavia, direction "Pavia Nord" and finally drive out at the "Istituti Universitari" exit. If you have rent a car at Linate airport, take the "Tangenziale Est", then the "Tangenziale Ovest", (follow "Genova" signs) and finally get into the A7 Highway (direction "Genova").
If you have rent a car at Malpensa airport take the A8 Highway, direction "Milano" or "Tangenziale Ovest", then get into the "Tangenziale Ovest", direction "Genova". Finally drive into the A7 Highway (direction "Genova").
It is recommended that you are covered by health insurance as well as general travel insurance for luggage.
Banking:
Normal banking hours in Pavia are Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 13:30 and from 14:45 to 16:15. Most automatic Teller Machines are open 24 hours.
MasterCard, VISA, EuroCard, American Express and Diners Club Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Electrical:
Italy's electricity voltage for domestic use is AC 220 volts, 50 Hz.
The standard plug is a two round plugged type. No 110 volts appliance can be used without a transformer. Adaptors and transformers are available at travel shops and hardware stores.
Pavia is a small pleasant town about 20 miles south of Milano. Pavia hosts one of the first Universities in Europe, founded in 1371, and is where Alessandro Volta in 1799 discovered electricity and now Carlo Rubbia is a professor. Other distinguished alumni of Pavia were Porro, Golgi, Forlanini.
The town is well connected by trains to Milano and is 20 miles from the Linate international airport.
At a walking distance from the centre you will find the Visconti's Castle (1400), the Cathedral (1500), several churches which are considered masterpieces of the lombard-gothic architecture, and a downtown of narrow roads with a unique middle-age flavour.
In the neighborhood you can also visit the magnificent Chatreuse (1500) and other famous castles (Belgioioso and Bereguardo).
