Serravalle Designer Outlet, in Piedmont near the town of Serravalle Scrivia, is one of the largest designer outlets in Europe, with a long list of Italian and international fashion brands in a village-style shopping centre. For visitors to Milan it is a popular day out, especially for families and groups who want to combine shopping with a relaxed day. The question is always how to get there and back comfortably, particularly on the way home with shopping bags.
How far it is
The outlet is about 92 km from central Milan, and the drive takes about seventy minutes in normal traffic on the A7 motorway towards Genoa. From Linate it takes about the same time. From Malpensa, count on just over an hour and a half. The outlet is right next to the motorway exit, so there is no complicated final stretch.
The options
There are three ways to get there. Shuttle buses run from central Milan on a timetable, which is economical but means fixed departure and return times and a shared coach. The train goes to the nearby station of Arquata Scrivia or Serravalle, with a local connection to the outlet, and usually needs a change. A private car takes you from your hotel door to the outlet entrance and brings you back when you are ready, with the shopping in the boot.
For one person who wants to spend a few hours shopping and is happy with the bus timetable, the shuttle is a reasonable choice. For families, groups, guests with limited time and anyone who expects to buy a lot, the car is much easier.
The advantage of the car on the way back
The return journey is where the private car makes the biggest difference. After a day at an outlet, many shoppers have several large bags. On a shuttle or a train they have to carry them and keep them with them. In a car they go into the boot, and your driver can even collect bags during the day so you do not have to carry them from shop to shop.
Planning the day
The outlet is largest and busiest on weekends and during sales periods, so a weekday is calmer if your dates allow it. A typical plan is to leave Milan at around nine in the morning, arrive when the shops open, shop until lunch, eat at one of the restaurants in the centre and continue in the afternoon. Four to five hours at the outlet is usually enough for most people.
Tax-free shopping is available for eligible non-EU visitors in many shops; ask in each store about the procedure, and keep the documents with you for the airport.
Combining with the coast
Serravalle is on the motorway towards Genoa, about halfway between Milan and the Ligurian coast. This makes it possible to combine shopping with a trip to Portofino or Santa Margherita, either on the way there or on the way back. It also works as a stop on a transfer between Milan and the coast, if you add a couple of hours.
Hourly booking
For an outlet day, an hourly booking is the simplest formula. The car and driver wait while you shop and are ready when you want to leave. A shopping day at Serravalle, including the drive, usually lasts six to eight hours. Hourly rates are on our chauffeur service page, and we confirm the total, including kilometres, in writing before the day.
Choosing the vehicle
The boot is as important as the seats on an outlet day. For one or two people, the Mercedes E-Class and the Mercedes S-Class have enough space for a good amount of shopping. For families and groups, the Mercedes V-Class seats up to seven and has a large luggage area. For a big group, the Sprinter Luxury VIP has room for up to eight passengers and all their bags.
How to book
Send us the date, the pick-up address, the number of passengers and roughly how long you want to stay at the outlet. If you would like to combine the day with the coast, tell us that too. We reply with a written, all-inclusive price, usually within 30 minutes.