Varenna to hotel near Milan airport

Old Jul 25th, 2017, 04:14 AM
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Varenna to hotel near Milan airport

Next May we're taking the train from Venice to Varenna for a few relaxing days. I'd appreciate any info on the best way to get from Varenna to a hotel near the airport in Milan (Malpensa). We have a fairly early flight back to the U.S. the next morning. Thanks!
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 04:52 AM
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If you're willing to spend the money, the easiest way is to have a taxi take you. The high cost can probably be cut if your hotel in Varenna arranges for you to be picked up in Menaggio, the town on the opposite side of the lake, if you're willing to cross the lake on a ferry with your luggage. Or you can get a hotel doorstep pick-up.

Other options are to take a scenic ferry ride down to the town of Como, and proceed from there on suburban commuter trains to Malpensa airport (or there are hotels in towns nearest the airport on the commuter train line).

Or you can walk or taxi up hill to the Varenna train station and take a train to Milano Centrale, and switch there for the commuter train or bus to Malpensa.

A lot of people would stay in Milan itself and take the bus or the Malpensa Xpress train to the airport. Transportation starts running very early, in time to get through security for most flights.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 06:31 AM
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Depending on what you mean by "fairly early," you might find it less stressful and/or less expensive to stay in Milan or near Malpensa the night before your flight. Or you could choose to stay in Como or Lecco rather than Varenna.

Again, depending on when you need to be at Malpensa, the ferry options mentioned by massimop probably won't be early enough.

It isn't possible yet to search the ferry timetables for next May. Your visit to the lake will probably coincide with the ferry's spring timetable which is less frequent, not as early or late, etc., as high season summer. Currently (high season started 5/28/17), the earliest Varenna-Como ferry is at 6:30a, arriving Como at 7:30a, and the train at Malpensa at 9:10a. The earliest ferry from Varenna to Menaggio arrives at 10:00a, and the drive from Menaggio to Malpensa is an hour minimum and can take upwards of 90 minutes.

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/c_dow...Como_E2017.pdf

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/c_dow...20CL_E2017.pdf

The earliest train combo from Varenna, connecting in Milan, will probably depart at about 5:30a and arrive at Malpensa shortly before 8:00a.

If your flight is mid-morning or later, Fly to Lake offers shuttle service from Varenna to Malpensa at 5:50a, arriving 8:30a. ( Note that payment is cash only.) There may be other companies offering similar service. Ask your Varenna hotel.

http://www.flytolake.com/index.php/e...lecco-malpensa
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 07:28 AM
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Sorry if my post wasn't clear.

I wasn't suggesting you leave Varenna the morning of your flight. Looks to me like you are asking how to get to Malpensa by nightfall on the day before your flight. From Varenna, I would not even recommend taking a taxi in the morning of the same day you need to fly.

All my suggestions refer to leaving Varenna the day before your flight.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 08:14 AM
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Yes, Massimop, our plan is to leave Varenna on Friday and spend the night in a hotel near the Milan airport (Malpensa) and catch our flight home on Saturday (a direct 11:00 a.m. flight to Atlanta, so we're expecting to go through extensive security at MAX). Thank you all for your information
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 08:19 AM
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Right.

In case it's important, the letters MXP are the airport code for Malpensa. Have a nice voyage!
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 09:40 AM
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For an 11:00a flight, I'd stay in Milan and enjoy a stroll around the Duomo area after dinner. A cab to Malpensa in the morning would cost about 85-90 euros and take 45-60 minutes. Or stay near the Cadorna train station and take the 7:37a train that arrives Malpensa at 8:10a. 13 euros per person.

There are several hotels near the Cadorna station. We recently stayed at Camperio and a few years ago stayed at Antica Locanda Leonardo. Friends have stayed at the Genius Hotel.

http://www.anticalocandaleonardo.com/

https://www.camperio.com/en/

There is at least one rather nice hotel and restaurant at Malpensa (Villa Malpensa) with its own shuttle service to the terminals, but otherwise staying near Malpensa is like staying near any major airport. Dullsville.

http://www.hotelvillamalpensa.it/en/
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Old Jul 26th, 2017, 02:02 AM
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Leave Varenna either
very late (Varenna dp 19.37 - Gallarate ar 22.01), sleep at 1 o the 2 hotels at Gallarate railway station and reach MXP airport the following morning by public bus or taxi (just a few miles)
or very early (Varenna dp 5.37 - Gallarate ar 7.55).
Change trains at Milano Centrale station in both cases.
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Old Jul 26th, 2017, 02:21 AM
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In recent years a number of well-reviewed hotels have opened up at Malpensa or right within the vicinity. If you haven't booked one already, check booking.com for options.

Also, if you decide to stay in Milan, sleeping near the central train station is another option, and one that I would prefer arriving by train from Varenna. There are several very good hotels within easy walking distance of the train station (even if you are dragging luggage). You can take the train or the bus from the station in the morning to the airport in plenty of time for your flight.

If you stay near the central station and want to stroll around the Duomo, a taxi is 5 euros.

I throw money around like water when it comes to taxis when I travel, but I would not spend 90 euros on a taxi to Malpensa when I could take the bus and arrive in the exact same amount of time.

Again, I would not risk leaving Varenna the morning of your flight. I have been on the commuter trains that run between Milan and the airport when they simply stopped and didn't move for 20 minutes or so. I wouldn't want the stress if it happened on my way to the airport and I was cutting it that close.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 06:05 AM
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Many thanks to all of you for your helpful suggestions. Spending the night near the train station sounds like a good idea.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 06:08 AM
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go the day before to airport hotel by train for the night. Put all angsts to rest.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 06:13 AM
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We stayed at the malpensa sheraton in March before an early flight out. It was comfortable and quiet. There was a walkway to the airport so we didn't have to deal with a shuttle. Thought I'd mention this in case you decide to stay at the airport.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 07:32 AM
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If you want to stay near the central train station in Milan, the Hotel Brera is very good.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 07:32 AM
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Sorry -- Hotel BERNA.

(Brera is another part of MIlan, scratch that)
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 09:44 AM
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We have a reservation at First Hotel... it's near the airport and provides shuttle. Our flight back to NYC is 10:00am. We plan to stay as late as possible in Bellagio (base for 2 nights) and train to Milan central station, then airport, then hotel shuttle to hotel. Would it be better to take the ferry to Como, then the suburban train to the airport?
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 10:08 AM
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You could also take a boat to Como and right opposite the boat dock from Como-Nord train station catch trains that with one simple change would take you right to the airport without the hassle of going thru and changing at one of Europe's most hectic train stations -Milano Centrale. Local train -just buy ticket at station - like a commuter train.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 11:20 AM
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PalenQ, you and I think alike! I much prefer to remove as many variables as possible before a big flight. The train from Como to the airport sounds good to me. Where would we make a change of trains if we did this trip? Not having to deal with Milan central station is a relief.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 11:48 AM
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Lately, when we have a morning flight from Malpensa, we prefer to stay near the airport, usually at the Hotel Cervo. It means we can sleep a little longer before a long trip, and don't have to pad our time to allow for delays.

The Cervo is inexpensive, but comfortable, and have a decent restaurant. They also have a shuttle, for a fee. Usually we get a taxi from the airport train station to the hotel, and use the shuttle for the trip back to the airport.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 11:51 AM
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and train strikes can happen in Italy - when they do taxis can be scarce- Milan airport is a long long way from Milan as airports and cities go.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 03:50 PM
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If you "prefer to remove as many variables as possible before a big flight" than you don't want to be dealing with the commuter trains that run around Como, Milan & Malpensa on the morning of your flight. I have been on those trains when they were very much delayed. That doesn't matter if you are trying to get to the airport the day before your flight, but it is nerve wracking if it is the morning of your flight.

There is nothing difficult about Milan's Central Station, but if you prefer to take a ferry to the town of Como -- that's the only way to get to the town of Como from Varenna -- and then use the commuter trains from the town of Como to the airport the day before your flight, up to you.

Unfortunately, I cannot answer your specific question about where you change trains between the town of Como and Milan to switch to a line that takes you to Malpensa. But surely someone else does.

A word about train strikes: They are announced in advance, and there is a bus from Milan Central Station to the airport. You wouldn't need a taxi. However, it's a good idea to stay at an airport hotel if you like to sleep late or feel more secure about not missing your flight, come what may. y
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