domesticgodess

I know from reading previous postings that to get to Bellagio from Milan you have to take the train to Como and then ferry to Bellagio but I've been told there are two train stations in Como. Is this true and if so does it make any difference which one I go to?

PalQ

Yes the Nord de Milano (sp?) railway's terminus is a stone's throw from the Lake Como boat dock in Como - the mainline Trenitalia station, San Giovanni (40 mins), is over a mile away. Nord trains are mainly commuter trains and can take longer however - mainline trains Milan-Switzerland stop at San Giovanni. You could also take the train Milano-Varenna (1 hr) and then take a shorter and cheaper boat ride from there to nearby Bellagio.

Judi

I suggest that you go from Milan to Varenna rather than Como. Varenna is much closer to Bellagio.

Have a great trip!

GAC

You bet if makes a difference:

One rail line (the National Railways/Treitalia line), runs from Milano CENTRALE station to Como S. Giovanni Station. From the latter station, there are regular buses to Bellagio (SPT Como Line 30). If you want to take a boat, you'll have to taxi or walk about 1 mile to the docks on the other side of town. If you're merely passing through Milan and arrving by train from elsewhere, it may be more convenient to take this rail line to Como from Milano Centrale Station.

If you take the Ferrovie Nord Commuter rail, you'll leave from the Milan CADORNA Station (near the Castello Sforzesco), and end up at the Como Nord Station, right on the waterfront and across the street from both the main bus terminal and the boat/hydrofoil docks. If you've stayed one or more nights in Milan and are departing for Bellagio, you may find this line to be more convenient, especially if your hotel is not far from the Cadorna Station.

www.trenitalia.com
www.ferrovienord.it
www.sptcomo.it (buses Como/Bellagio)

PalQ

I believe the buses GAC talks about also run from the Nord commuter rail station in Como by the boat docks - bus must be way cheaper and perhaps quicker.

GAC

Yes, SPT Como Line 30 bus also departs from adjacent to the Como Nord train station; and yes, the bus is way cheaper (about 3 Euros) than the hydrofoil, and faster than the ordinary ferry boat.

donco

I think the ferry from Como to Bellagio takes well over an hour (Fodorites is this correct?) but the bus from Como to Bellagio takes about 30 minutes. From Milan, we took the train to Varenna-Esino (about 1 hour), 10-min. downhill walk to ferry, 10 minutes to Bellagio by ferry-you wait for ferry not long. Timing will be everything, yes? See if you can find a post by GAC about this subject and enjoy Bellagio.

HowardR

There are two boats that go from Como to Bellagio. One, which I believe is a hydrofoil, makes only 2 or 3 stopes and takes about 45 minutes. The other (a ferryboat) makes many stops and takes about 2 hours.

donco

Hydrofoil would be faster then. domesticgodess, there is a web site for the ferry/hydrofoil schedules, prices. Another factor will be time of year-if you are not going April-October, it'll be even more important to double check schedules.

GAC

Only the hydrofoil is faster than the bus, but much more expensive, and schedules are spotty out of season.

The bus is a perfectly acceptable choice. Travel time to Bellagio is 65 minutes.

Taking the train from Milano Centrale to Varenna, then the ferry boat across to Bellagio, is another perfectly acceptable route, and in some cases is a little faster than connecting in Como.

Website for ferry/hydrofoil schedules and fares: www. navigazionelaghi.it

domesticgodess

Thanks for all the information guys. After reading all your advive I will probably take the train to Varenna and then take ferry to Bellagio. We are arriving on 1st September so i presume there will be plenty of ferries. Never been to Belagio before any good restaurant recommendations?

Jean

I like the Milan-Varenna-Bellagio route. I love the WOW factor of walking down from the Varenna station to the lake.

Do a search for Bellagio restaurants. There are a few excellent choices. We love Bilacus where we've enjoyed very good food at moderate prices for 8 years. Reservations would be required for early September.

donco

We had a wonderful meal at: Trattoria San Giacomo, Salita Serbelloni, 45, [email protected] Informal and friendly.

Rocket Salad (shared)
Osso Buco
Filetto di Trotta
Parmesan cheese/walnuts/honey-drizzled cookies (shared)