blsaga

My husband is partly disabled and uses a Segway for mobility. He can easily navigate ramps, narrow streets, small curbs, and cobblestones, but not major flights of stairs. I am contemplating a trip to Lake Como (Lenno) by train from Malpensa, changing trains in Saronno as recommended by many Fodorites, but I need information on the underground passage there. Is there disabled access to that passage by ramp or elevator, or any way other than stairs to get from one train platform to the other? Many thanks.

Michael

You may want to scroll down this trip report until you come to the part about disabled access in one of the Italian train stations:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...wheelchair.cfm

kybourbon

There isn't a train station in Lenno so you would be going to Como and switching to bus or boat there. I wouldn't count on any access in any station. Many times, even if it exists (often doesn't), it's not working.

For certain access, you could train or bus to Milan Centrale where you could catch the train to Como. Centrale will have access and would probably take about 30 minutes longer in total travel time.

Many people don't realize that in small through stations trains don't stop more than a minute or two. It's difficult to get on because you have to wait until others get off. Milan Centrale is an end station (trains pull in and back out) so you have more boarding time. Milan Centrale has assistance available also. Here is the contact info. Perhaps they can verify if there is any assistance at Saronno, but it's not listed as having it on the link.
http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/i...003f16f90aRCRD

http://www.rfi.it/cms/v/index.jsp?vg...008916f90aRCRD

kybourbon

Forgot that Saronno was TreNord. Here is a link for their info.
http://www.trenord.it/media/12063/el...__disabili.pdf

blsaga

Thanks to those of you who have responded so quickly. Yes, my plan was/is to transfer at Como to a bus to Lenno. Alternatively, we could take the train to Varenna and transfer to the ferry, but it sounds as though the bus to Lenno from Como would be easier for us. Kybourbon may well be right that we should just go to Milano Centrale rather than risking a problem at Saronno - I just liked the idea of heading north from the airport rather than taking the bus into Milan. But we've confronted broken elevators (Genoa) and nonexistent elevators (Cinque Terre) before when traveling in Italy, and I'd just as soon avoid that scenario.

nochblad

You can change in Saronno using the stairs lift but to be sure take the Malpensa Express to Milano Cadorna. Then take the train to Como Lago - which would be one of the trains which connects at Saronno but you avoid underpass problems.

At Como Lago exit in the direction of the Lake and head to the bus station - roughly 50 yards - where you can catcg the C10 bus to Lenno - see http://www.sptlinea.it/LinkClick.asp...language=en-US

blsaga

Nochblad, that sounds like the right solution: less risky than changing at Saronno but still efficient. Thanks!