DebitNM

We have tickets to see The Last Supper at 11:00 am.

We will be leaving from Bellagio and go to Milan.

Ferry times are either: arrival in Varenna at 6:55 am OR 7:30 am.

Train #1 to Milan leaves at 7:37 and arrives at 8:38. Can we make the train in time to catch the train if we take the latter ferry - i.e. 7 minutes? Or would it be wiser to take the earlier ferry. It is a 30 minutes ride on ferry for earlier one since it stops and means an earlier departure from Bellagio.

Train #2 to Milan at 8:37 and arrives 9:40 am. We would take an 8:05 ferry for this train; getting to dock at 8:20; which appears to be quite enough time to get to train by 8:37. Can we make it from train station to hotel to drop bags [Via Santa Marta 4] and then onto The Last Supper by 11am?

Train #1 gives us more time IN Milan to get to The Last Supper. But if we can't safely make the later ferry; it means the early ferry.

Train #2 gives us more time to get from dock to train station in Varenna but gives us less time to get to hotel and then The Last Supper.

Any insights on how the timing of these options.

And then I guess there are other ways to get from Bellagio to Milan. Bus?

Thanks~

PalenQ

And then I guess there are other ways to get from Bellagio to Milan. Bus?>

bus to Como Nord train station for trains to the center of Milan - Cordona station, closer to the town center than Milano Centrale - plus this is a small station with taxis right off the platforms - may be quickest and certainly the cheapest. Trains are run by Nord de Milano (?) rail line not Trenitalia.

DebitNM

I will check this out. Will the bus run that early to get us to Como Nord? Thanks.

PalenQ

I really have not taken the bus but did see them at Como Nord train station - I'd ask your hotel once you got there what they think is the fastest/best way.

Jean

First, I assume you'll already have your train tickets for Varenna-Milan.

Too many things would have to go perfectly for option #1 to work, so I'd pick #2. If you took a taxi from the Milan station, you'd have an hour to do what google says should take about 40 minutes by car. You could either have the taxi drop you at the hotel (20-25 mins.) and then walk (15-20 mins.) to the Last Supper or have the taxi wait while you leave the luggage and then drive you (10 mins.) the rest of the way. I'd probably taxi all the way.

DebitNM

I found the Como Nord train schedule, which are quite good but cannot access the bus schedule. Keep getting 404 warning.


Yes, I know that there are no tickets sold @ Varenna, so we'd have our tickets.

Jean

I wouldn't take a bus to Como just to take a train to Cadorna. The ferry Bellagio-Varenna takes a few minutes while the bus Bellagio-Como takes 70 minutes. The train rides from Varenna and Como are about the same duration, so the bus adds 45-50 minutes to the overall journey although dropping the luggage at the Milan hotel might take 10-15 minutes less time. And all that assumes the bus isn't late.

Here's the current (until June 8th) bus timetable. Scroll to page 14.

http://www.asfautolinee.it/Portals/5...13/lago/30.pdf

DebitNM

Thanks Jean.

I am guessing the early ferry w/ Train #1 is the way to go.

PalenQ

I did not realize it took the bus that long - it's not that far - must be a slow slow bus that stops everywhere.

HappyTrvlr

Cadorna Station is very near the church, Santa Maria delle Gracie, with The Last Supper. We stayed at Antica Locanda Leonardo as it is also very close to the painting's location.
We had to check in before the time designated on our reservarion both times we went to see it. You have to sit in a closed chamber to dehumidfy for about fifteen minutes before entering The Refectory where the painting is located.
Take the earlier train, go the night before or hire a driver service. It's a fantastic experience. A travel highlight for us.

HappyTrvlr

Deb,
The first time we went from Bellagio to Milan, we went from Bellagio to Como on a high speed ferry and walked to the train station where we caught a train into Milan. Don't have any idea if this would work for you but it was easy.

DebitNM

Thanks,Happy, will look into it.

kybourbon

>>> we went from Bellagio to Como on a high speed ferry and walked to the train station where we caught a train into Milan.<<<

Which station? Como S. Giovanni has the fast trains (designated as EC on Trenitalia) from Switzerland pass through which you can catch, but there are only 4-5 runs per day. There are several other Como stations served by regional trains and suburban commuter trains.

>>>Yes, I know that there are no tickets sold @ Varenna, so we'd have our tickets.<<<

Trains in Lombardy are operated by Trenord and you can buy those tickets online. While Trenitalia only sells these regional tickets online 7 days in advance, Trenord makes them available 6 months in advance. Gives you a 4 hour travel window to use the ticket from the time you select. Line maps are on their website.

http://www.trenord.it/en/timetable/timetable.aspx

****- The ticket is valid for a single trip just for the chosen itinerary
- The ticket has to be used within 4 hours from the chosen date/hour of the trip (not after the end of the service);
- The ticket does not need to be stamped but it is validated on board by Trenord ticket inspector;
- The ticket is not refundable and do not allow changes of date and itinerary
- The use of the ticket is ruled by the Transport Conditions available on the website: www.trenord.it
- The supplement for cycles is valid 24 hours from the chosen date/hour and is valid on all the trains of Trenord except the airport shuttle service, Malpensa Express*****

DebitNM

Yes, I know that too. I understood Jean to mean there is no way to buy tickets IN Varenna, which I knew? I also understood her to mean Como Nord, as that was what was being discussed.

Jean

There is a way to buy tickets for Trenitalia in Varenna, but it's a travel agency which wouldn't be open that early in the morning. Ask your Bellagio hotel and/or the Tourist Information Office (Piazza Mazzini) if tickets for either train company can be purchased in Bellagio.

The Trenord station within walking distance of the ferry dock in Como is Como Nord Lago, and the station close to the Last Supper is Milano Nord Cadorna.

Decide for yourself, but I think going via Varenna and taking a taxi in Milan is the simplest and fastest... as long as you already have your train ticket.

DebitNM

I think we are going to go that route. While it means an earlier start to the day, it will be simpler and that makes it worthwhile.

Early ferry to Varenna, with more time to get to train station.

I will either buy the train ticket online or when we are @Milano Centrale earlier in the trip.

Thanks all...

nochblad

DebitNM - I live in Como and would not recommend the Varenna route.

You can travel to Como by bus or fast ferry (hydrofoil). I would recommend the latter as arrival times are more certain (the morning traffic into Como along the lake can be bad). Although the bus drop off is right next to the Como Lago station the ferry drop off is only 200 yards away - to the left when you get off the ferry.

The advantage of the Como Lago train station is that it takes you to the Milano Cadorna station which is very close to Santa Maria delle Grazie - only about a 10 minute walk. When you arrive at Cadorna station do not go straight through the barriers but follow the platform to the right and then head up right along the Malpensa Express platform where you will find an exit which leads to a roundabout (Piazza Virgilio Publio Marone) - go roughly straight across to Via Caradosso. Following this road you will meet Corso Magenta. Turn right and after about 100 yards you will find Santa Maria delle Grazie on your right.

Santa Maria delle Grazie is a church or the convent. The Cenacolo is actually in the Refettorio or the Refectory (i.e. where they ate).

PalenQ

nochblad - Is the Last Supper always sold out in season at least or can you ever just show up and get in, after a wait in line - or is it reservation only.

The advice you gave is excellent and what I were thinking at least in terms of the Cordona station being more in the center of town.

nochblad

PalenQ - I have visited Il Cenacolo three times and always without a reservation. Once by myself, once in two and once three of us.

I arrive in Milan around 9.30 and go immediately there and ask if there is availability that day. Invariably they told me when to return. Based on this info I planned the rest of my day in Milan.

kybourbon

nochblad - Whether going to Cadorna or another station to reach the Last Supper they will still need to deal with their luggage.