Fastest way from Milan to Padua: Train (Trenitalia / Italo), about 1h 57min – 2h 20min (from €28). Cheapest: Bus, from €8 (about 2h 45min – 3h 30min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on October 27, 2026): GoOpti, FlixBus, NTV; main departure point: Piazza Duca D Aosta.
There are 3 ways to get from Milan to Padua
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on October 27, 2026 for a departure on November 17, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTV | Train | Milano Centrale | €28 | 6 |
| Itabus | Bus | Milan | €8 | 2 |
| FlixBus | Bus | Lampugnano Bus Terminal | €8 | 7 |
| GoOpti | Bus | Piazza Duca D Aosta | €340 | 96 |
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Practical tips
High-speed fares rise as the departure date approaches. Book your Trenitalia or Italo ticket as soon as your plans are set, and avoid buying at the station on the day, when only the dearest fares remain.
Trenitalia and Italo serve the same corridor with different prices and times. Check both for your date and compare the fare conditions, such as flexibility and luggage, before picking the cheapest or most convenient option.
Milan has several stations, and trains do not all leave from the same one. Read your ticket carefully and confirm the departure station the day before, so you are not rushing across the city with your luggage.
If you are on a tight budget and your schedule is flexible, the coach is usually the cheapest way. Confirm the pick-up and drop-off points on your booking, as they may not be next to the main station.
Airport transfers, security checks and the connection add hassle to a short route like this one. Unless you already hold a flight ticket that fits, the train is almost always the simpler and more relaxed choice.
The journey experience
Milan to Padua is one of the easiest north Italian hops, and you can tell at a glance which option suits you: the train is the fast, comfortable default, the coach is the budget pick, and a flight with a connection rarely makes sense. The page's table shows durations and price ranges side by side, so you can compare before you book.
By train, Trenitalia and Italo both run high-speed services on the Milan–Venice corridor, with seats you can reserve, space for luggage and a smooth ride from city centre to city centre. Coaches reach Padua at a lower fare and suit flexible travellers who do not mind a longer, traffic-dependent ride. A flight with a stopover exists, but airport transfers and connections make it the least practical choice for most independent travellers.
Our advice: choose the train unless budget is your top priority, and book ahead, because last-minute high-speed fares are the ones that sting. Check the departing station carefully, since Milan has several, and make sure your ticket says Padova. If your plans are flexible, compare Trenitalia and Italo for the same day, and keep the coach as your cheaper backup. You will be fine either way.
Frequently asked questions — Milan → Padua
The train is clearly faster, taking about 2 hours (roughly 1 h 55 to 2 h 20). The coach takes around 2 h 45 to 3 h 30, depending on traffic. If time matters, the high-speed train is the better choice, while the coach suits those who prioritise a lower fare.
Train tickets start from €28, with typical fares up to €29. Coach tickets start from just €8, though the typical range goes up to €353 depending on the date and operator. A flight with a stopover starts from €29, typically up to €40. Compare options for your date before booking.
By train, the journey takes about 2 hours (1 h 55 to 2 h 20). By coach, expect roughly 2 h 45 to 3 h 30. A flight with a stopover also takes around 2 h 45 to 3 h 30, before you add airport transfers and check-in, so it is not a time saver here.
For most travellers the train is the best choice: it is the fastest option, comfortable, and runs between city centres with Trenitalia and Italo. Choose the coach if your budget comes first and you can accept a longer ride. The flight with a stopover is rarely worth the extra hassle.
Milan has several stations, so always check your ticket. High-speed trains toward Venice and Padua commonly leave from Milano Centrale, but some services can use other stations. Confirm the exact departure station and platform on your booking and on the station boards on the day.
Why visit Padua?
- ✓ Admire Giotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel, a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece of early Renaissance art
- ✓ Visit the Basilica of Saint Anthony, a major pilgrimage site topped with domes and rich in Donatello sculptures
- ✓ Wander the daily markets around Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, under the Palazzo della Ragione
- ✓ Stroll through Prato della Valle, one of Europe's largest squares, ringed by a canal and 78 statues
- ✓ Explore the Orto Botanico, the world's oldest university botanical garden, and the historic University of Padua with its anatomical theatre
When to visit Padua?
HUMID SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE
April to June and September to October — mild temperatures, pleasant light, and fewer crowds than in the peak summer heat.
What to do in Padua?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Padua?
Allow 1 to 2 days in Padua. One day covers the essentials: the Scrovegni Chapel (book your slot well in advance), the Basilica of Saint Anthony, Prato della Valle and the Palazzo della Ragione markets. A second day lets you add the Botanical Garden, the Palazzo del Bo university and a slow aperitivo around Piazza delle Erbe. Padua also works well as a base for day trips to Venice (25 min by train), Vicenza or the Euganean Hills.
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