GAC

You can travel from Malpensa Airport to Stresa for Euro 3.99. Here's how:

1) Take the SACO local bus from outside of the Malpensa Train Station (lowest level of airport structure) to the Gallarate Train Station. Fare is Euro 1.30 payable on board. Morning departures at 7:56, 8:31, 9:00, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 and 13:13. Travel time 20 to 28 minutes. Schedules at www.infopoint.it

2) Take a "Regionale" or "Interregionale" train from Gallarate to Stresa. Make sure the train actually stops in Stresa. Fare is Euro 2.69 in second class. The Intercity (IC) train is more expensive and faster: Euro 4.85. Schedules at www.trenitalia.it

There is also daily airporter bus service direct to Stresa in 50 minutes from Malpensa Airport from mid-April through early October. Fare is Euro 7.75. Schedules at www.vcoinbus.it (currently at 7:30, 10:30, 14:30, 17:30 and 20:30)

A taxi from Malpensa to Gallarate runs about Euro 20. To Stresa about Euro 80.

Maddy

Just a heads up if you take the bus to Gallarate. We did this earlier this year and noticed a shady character getting on the bus with no luggage whatsoever. Unfortunately, he sat down across from us (some of the bus seats face each other like on trains) and I spent the whole ride watching him like a hawk. Directly across the aisle from us was an American family, the father was holding his wallet in his hand for part of the time and the pickpocket guy kept looking over, watching to see where that wallet was going to end up. When we arrived at the station, I watched to make sure that this guy didn't get near the family. If he had, I was ready to make a scene...luckily, they were up and off before we moved and shady was able to get out.

We had time before our train and walked a block or so away from the station to find some snacks for the ride, and as we walked, who do we find behind us but shady bus guy. I stopped dead and let him go by. I get the feeling this guy and probably several others I saw at that Gallarate station make a living off pickpocketing tourists so just be aware of who's around you. The station itself also seemed to have a seedy element, especially on the ground floor ticket level and in the little convenience store at the station - which was why we took a walk to look for food. There was a mini police office on the platform level and it felt safer there. The bus ride from the airport was fine (look for the little orange mini-bus) and it does save time and $ instead of backtracking into Milan if you are heading north.

GAC

Additional notes on the SACO local bus service between Malpensa Airport, terminal 1, to the Gallarate train station:

1. Fare is now Euro 1.50, payable on board. This is quite cheap in comparison to the cost of a taxi.

2. Bus departs from a stop approx. 100 yards from the Malpensa airport train ticket office (lowest level of airport structure). There are no benches or seats available at the bus stop. There is a placard showing bus departure times.

3. Bus takes approx. 28 minutes because it skirts the airport perimeter along local country roads, and eventually makes its way to the Gallarate train station, where you're dropped off at the main entrance. A taxi would take about 15 minutes.

4. Bus is very modern.

5. I can recommend the service as a reasonable method of saving money.

ladyluck

I know about the vcoin bus and alibus ,but I need to know if they operate in Nov.?? What is your suggestion about tranportation from Malpensa to Verbania or Stresa?? I have e-mailed both and have not received a reply!!!!!

Steve_James

Lady - The bus service to Lake Maggiore is seasonal and ends on 31/10 (- see the link I gave you before ...)

For November your best budget option might be train from Gallarate to Verbania-Pallanza.
www.trenitalia.it

You can reach Gallarate station by bus or taxi.

Steve