bjamie

Hi! I've been trying to figure out the best way to get from the Milan Malpensa airport to Bellagio in late September. I had read somewhere about a bus from the airport to Varenna but I can't find any additional info on this - does it still exist? Unfortunately, it seems like the timing and schedules of the assorted trains/ferries needed otherwise don't match up very well and it will end up taking us about 5 hours to get there. Our flight lands at 16:40. Any one have any ideas? Thanks!

PalenQ

By train the only way would be to take the Malpensa Express and then change at a place that being with a S - a station before Milan and take that train line to its terminus in Como, right at the boat docks for boats to Bellagio or for buses from the station to Bellagio - it should take more like 2-3 hours not 5 i believe.

Or take the Malpensa bus into Milan's central station, then a train to Como S Giovanni mainline station and i think a bus goes from there to Bellagio

There once were malpensa buses to Como but i guess there have been scrubbed. Too bad i took one once and it was only about 45 to Como

mari5

Your suggestion of bus from Malpensa to Varenna sounds good,, but since you can't find info on it,,,makes one wonder, doesn't it? You can take the shuttle bus from Malpensa to Central Train station (Milan),,, then train to Varenna (and then the 10 min ferry ride across to Bellagio.

OR Rent a car at Malpense and drive to Bellagio. .....(or Varenna and then the ferry to Bellagio).

krgystn

this is the cheapest solution:

bus from MXP to Milano Centrale ~1 hour
wait for train
take the 19:20 train to Varenna ~1 hour
walk to ferry ~7 minutes
wait for ferry
take ferry to Bellagio ~10 min

Zerlina

There have been reports that, starting in September 2010, there will be four trains per hour from Malpensa to Milan: two with Trenitalia to Milano Centrale (to connect to trains to Varenna and Como San Giovanni) and two with Ferrovie Nord to Milano Cadorna). Ferrovie Nord already connects at Saronno to Como Lago, which is just steps from the Como ferry dock.

nochblad

At Malpensa train station (level -1) buy a ticket to Como. You will have to change at Saronno. Arrival is at the end of the line Como Lago. See timetables here - http://www.lenord.it/en/index.php

Unfortunately the last hydrofoil to Bellagio leaves Como at 19.10 and arrives at 19.52 but unless you are exceptionally lucky with your luggage etc you will not catch the 17.26 train from Malpensa which arrives at Como at 18.55

However, when you exit the station in the direction of the lake you will find the bus station on your right. You can catch the Como-Bellagio bus line C30 - http://www.sptlinea.it/LinkClick.asp...language=en-US
This is the summer timetable but at the end of September most of the buses will be the same as many use this service to commute and there should still be the 19.40 bus leaving Como.

PalenQ

Great news about trains Malpensa to Milano Centrale - not so much to reach Como as the other route via a change at Saronno puts you at the Nord de Milano station right by the boat docks in Como (and bus station) but for folks to perhaps better and more quickly to reach Milan Centrale to change trains to anywhere in Italy

The present Malpensa Express only goes to Milan's Cardonna station, better situated for the town centre but a long way from Central station.

TDudette

krgystn's advice is right-on. We did the reverse to leave from Bellagio to catch a morning flight. The first train out of Varenna (called Varenna-Esino by the way-not just Varenna) got us to Milano Centrale and the shuttle in good time for a 10:40 a.m. flight. Watch holiday schedules for ferry. We had to move over to Varenna our last night.

At the time, there was a bus from Bellagio to Como but we didn't look into the details.

nochblad

krgystn & TDudette - have you costed it out?

I believe my suggestion is the cheapest, the easiest and the quickest.

I always believe that the more variables you insert into a travel plan .....

DRJ

A few years ago, we took a bus from Malpensa direct to the Como dock. The boat to Bellagio is a short ride. Ii'd check the Malpensa website for bus information.

TDudette

nochblad: We had some sort of train pass so don't have the expense info. Do we each have the same number of changes ultimately? I think yours IS faster as the crow flies.

Does anyone know about a commuter train on the west side of the lakes?

nochblad

There is no longer the bus from Malpensa to Como.

bjamie

nochblad-
You said you thought it was unlikely we would be able to catch the 17:26 train to Como. I've never been in the Malpensa airport, but wouldn't 46 minutes between landing and train leaving usually be enough time (we are scheduled to land at 16:40)? Of course barring the plane being late. How big is the airport and how far away is the train station from baggage claim?

PalenQ

You said you thought it was unlikely we would be able to catch the 17:26 train to Como. I've never been in the Malpensa airport, but wouldn't 46 minutes between landing and train leaving usually be enough time (we are scheduled to land at 16:40)?>

Well if your plane lands on time and if they get the baggage to the carousel within that time, etc. No it is normally very chancy to expect that

But what's with this 17:26 train to Como - from where - the airport - well OK you are going to transfer at Saronno, etc. If so there are trains about every half hour - why do you need the 17:26 train and not the 17:56; 18:16, etc.

Not sure what you are planning?

bjamie

We would be trying to make the last hydrofoil from Como to Bellagio and the 17:26 train would be the last one to allow that.

nochblad

bjamie - you understand why I refer to the 17.26 train. If things go smoothly in terms of flight arrival time, luggage pick up etc it is doable as Malpensa is not a large airport but I added details about the bus so as to give you a plan B.

nochblad

TDudette - there are no trains up the western shore. Only the boat or bus.

Boat here - http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/com/nlc_ora.html

Bus here - http://www.asfautolinee.it/Lineeeora...S/Default.aspx

TDudette

I couldn't remember about the other trains. I still stand by bus to Milano Centrale and train to Varenna as easiest-mostly because I don't like to change trains because running is a problem. What I haven't checked are the train times and if they will suit the OP.

Great info nochblad.

HappyTrvlr

We used David Guerrera at www.davideguerrera.com, a driver service, very reliable.

nochblad

TDudette - what you overlook is that the OP would be taking a bus to Milan Central station at about 17.30 so one is hitting the beginning of the commuter traffic. Admittedly along the autostrada it is mostly leaving Milan but the nearer you get to the city the more you will find traffic going (or not going!) in all directions.

I don't understand the running bit - there is plenty of time to change trains at Saronno.