If these are your only rail trips, then no, a pass is not economical. Take the fast train (AV) from Rome to Milan where you will switch to a train to Como (or Varenna depending on where you are supposed to meet them). Walk-up price is 86€ to Milan (3 1/2 hours). Discounts available for advance purchase online (starting at 9€, but more likely about 39€). From Milan to Como depends on which area you need to go. Milan/Varenna is 6.25€ (1 hour). Como may be a bit more as there are more types of train choices (only slow old R trains without reserved seating to Varenna).

Where on Como?
Which airport in Milan?

Both make a difference

I just found out we are staying in a area called Vassena. From what I can tell its around Lacco, but I maybe wrong on that.
The airport we are flying out of is Milan Malpense.

I just found out we are staying in a area called Vassena. From what I can tell its around Lacco, but I maybe wrong on that.
The airport we are flying out of is Milan Malpense.

Yes, Vassena is about 14 km from Lecco---that would be the closest station for you. But, Malpensa is a bit further---it is 30 miles west of Milano and will be a good drive from Vassena--perhaps 90 minutes. You may want to hire a driver for that leg.

Google agrees with bob that it's about a 90-minute drive from Vassena to Malpensa (although on a Sunday it could quicker). There is no combo of ferry/train that will get you to Malpensa in time for flight check-in. So, assuming you need to check in for your flight around 7:30 a.m., are you sure you wouldn't rather stay closer to the airport the night before your flight?

Getting to Vassena from Rome will take 4 hours by train to Lecco (via Milan) and then 45 minutes by ferry plus time needed to get to the ferry dock from the train station and waiting for the ferry. For example, if you left Rome at 8:00 a.m., you'd arrive at Vassena by 3:00 p.m. Do take note that the Lecco-Vassena ferry service is not very frequent, nor does it go late into the evening, AND there are big time gaps in the daily afternoon departures.

http://www.fsitaliane.com/homepage_en.html

http://www.navlaghi.it/c_download/NLC_Ramo_Lecco_estate12.pdf

Well now they is talk of Florance or Cinque Terra. before hand. But from what ive gathered getting a driver for the morning of the flight is the best way right? How do I set that up?

Sorry to confuse you more, but now the plans are looking like we all meet up in Rome on the 13th and some are leaving Rome on the 16th and are staying in Florance for two nights and trying to see Cinque Terra one of the days.But my husband and I want to stay with our friend in Rome instead of renting a hotel for two nights in Florance. We are wanting to know if there is a quick way to meet up with the group in Florance or Cinque Terra before they drive up to Vassena in Como Lake. If so what is that?

The quick way is to take a train from Rome to Florence and meet them there. But do find out the earliest train out of Rome so you can get from the airport to their hotel - and they aren;t waiting all day for you to arrive.

As for flying out of Milan - with a flight that early you should stay at the airport. I would want - and your airline may expect you - to be a the airport 3 hours before take-off - so there is no way you have time to drive there from Como in the AM.

IMO, your friends' plans are not leaving enough time to actually see the places you're going to. Were you hoping to see Florence at all? Is the CT just a "drive by"?

When we first started this trip it sounded like we were all going to the same places. from the 13-18 stay in Rome but do day trips to like Florance and Siena but spend the nights in Rome with our friends family. Then on the 18th, their was talk of going to Cinque Terra on the way to the Como Lake. We would be renting two cars. After we got up to Vassena Im not sure what we would do. Just that we are renting a house.
Now the friend we are staying with in Rome is leaving on the 19th, and is not planning on going to Florance and Cinque Terra.
but the rest of the group wants to drive up to Florance on the 16th and stay tell the 18th. From their drive to Vassena.
So now im stressing out. I dont want to leave my friend in Rome on the 16th and trying to still see Florance and Cinque Terra. Then some how meet up with them in Vassena. Now im finding that Vassena is to far from the airport to drive that morning and its better if we stay in Milan the night before. Help

Well, I think you've described your dilemma. There isn't enough time to see everything, whether you stay in lock-step with your friends or not. If it were my trip, I'd choose between Florence and the CT but not even think about going to both. I'd spend the night before the Malpensa departure at a hotel near the airport.

Does the group driving to Florence realize that quite a bit of the city is not open to cars? If you drive into the no-traffic zone (even by mistake), you'll get an expensive ticket in the mail after you get home.

Agree that the original plan was unworkable - didn't allow for distances and travel times.

Now you are looking at the facts and realize that you will have to make some decisions. Sorry it is coming late - but if you had looked at maps and/or viamichelin.com when you were planning it wouldn;t be a disapointment now.

It doesn't help that your travel companions are making decisions seemingly only for themselves. Who chose Vassena? And why?

What I want to try and do is stay in Rome Tell the morning of the 18th and take a train to Cinque Terra to meet up with the group at a central train station, that afternoon and go up to Vassena, My husband and I wont do the Cinque Terra day tour with them. I just need to find out the train station we need to go to and look at the times. Does anyone know what the closest station in Cinque Terra is? I know that Cinque Terra is five little towns so Im thinking the first town is the one that the group will park the car for the day tour. Does that make sense?
Also someone at the house we are renting could take us to the airport that morning unless that area is really busy in the morning. Its a 90 minute drive from Vanssena to Malpensa. We should get their around 7 am. Is it possible or Just rent a room in Milan the night before?

None of use can tell you where your friends will leave their car - you have to sort this out with them - or you could easily miss each other. And since the drive will be more than 4 hours - you need to find out what time they will be leaving (or it sounds like they may leave you behind).

I would get a hotel near the airport rather than get up at 4 in the morning the day you leave - and assume there will be no traffic or road construction or accident to delay you on the road.

Yes, you need to work out with your friends which station you should meet them at. (I wouldn't make assumptions on where the tour might start.) The train from Rome will take 4-4.5 hours.

I said it in one of my previous posts and will say it again: If it were my trip, I'd stay at a hotel near Malpensa the night before an early morning flight. I know it doesn't sound like a nice way to end an Italian holiday, but (for me) getting up at 4:00 a.m. and worrying about whether the driver shows up and whether there are delays along the way would be way worse.

Consider this place which has an airport shuttle service:

http://www.hotelvillamalpensa.it/eng_index.html

"What I want to try and do is stay in Rome Tell the morning of the 18th and take a train to Cinque Terra to meet up with the group at a central train station, that afternoon and go up to Vassena, . . . I know that Cinque Terra is five little towns so Im thinking the first town is the one that the group will park the car for the day tour. Does that make sense? "

This does not make sense to me. Cinque Terre is distinctly off you optimal route to Vassena.

I suggest you train from Rome all the way to Lecco, a town on Lago di Como not far from Vassena. This will take about 4.5 hours and you will have to switch trains in Milan. From Lecco, the drive to Vassena is about 30 minutes.

If you take a train to Cinque Terre--for example to La Spezia which is a popular train hub there--you will spend 4 hours on the train, and then still have a 3 hour drive to reach Vassena.

Milano Malpensa Airport is quite far from the center of MIlan. Milan is about an hour from Malpensa. Vassena is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Malpensa. That is why people are suggesting an airport hotel rather than relocating to Milan for the last night.

I agree with ellenem, but I get the impression the OP is trying (desperately?) to keep up with their friends. I wouldn't even be going to Vassena, but this isn't my trip.

If you want to skip Cinque Terre, why don't you take the express train from Rome to Milan and meet up with your friends at the train station? You can locate and contact each other by using mobile phones!!! Then maybe you might hire a van with private driver to take you to Vassena, so that you won't have to catch another train to Lecco and then again from Lecco go to Vassena after the long journey from Rome.

I agree with other Fodorites that I would stay at an airport hotel (or even B&Bs) on the last night, and book a shuttle service to the airport on day of departure.

Anna, I believe the OP's friends plan to DRIVE from Cinque Terre to Vassena. That is why I suggested that the OP get as close to Vassena as possible by train and then connect with the friends.

ellenem - so why did OP say she wants to meet up with her friends in CT if they will be driving - maybe he/she will be picking up a hired car from there as well and then all of them drive up to Vassena in two cars (or a van for all of them)? - Or maybe OP wants to visit the CT for the day or two and then take public transport to Vassena?

Still not clear to me.

It is difficult to get a clear understanding of the plan because it is not a very sensible plan.

I think the OP has friends who keep changing their minds, and want to do things the OP does not care to do. The OP wants to join the friends for the drive to Vassena so that they will all arrive together. The OP stated she/he has no interest in seeing Florence or Cinque Terre, just wanted to stay with friends in Rome and then head to Vassena.

1. OP and Friends in Rome together
2. OP stays in Rome for 2 more days; Friends drive to Florence/Cinque Terre for 2 days
3. OP travels by train to meet up with Friends to drive to Vassena

Ellenem,
your last post is correct. the route from Rome to the house in Vassena was getting way to long. So I figured that we would meet up with the group later. On the 18th they are going to Cinque Terre and driving up to Vassena. That is the only reason we are going to Cinque Terre. Theirs a train from Termin to La Spezia leaves that morning at 9:40Am and arrive in La Spezia centrale at 13:46 (1:46pm).
Thank you everyone for helping, we are going to stay close to get a room close to Milano Malpensa Airport the night before.

Thank you for all your help. Knowing all those insider infomation really help convince the group the best way to get around and still have time to see things. My husband and I are staying near the airport the night before at a hotel called Idea Hotel. for around $67 not euros, it has a free shuttle to and from the airport and a free breakfast that starts at 5:30am, which is great seeing we have to be at the airport by 6:30 am. Once again everyone thank you for everything.