Lake Como Ferry/Boat help please
 

Yes,I've checked the site http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/<BR>and still need your help!<BR>We will bus from Malpensa to Como and have to get to Varenna. I don't see it listed on too many schedules and for the ferry I don't see very many times. I also can't read Italian so am not sure what the site is saying.! Suggestions? Are there frequent boats from Como to Varenna? We thought this would be a more picturesque way to arrive vs. training through Milan Central. Thanks!

I think you need to go first to Bellagio and then take a different ferry to Varenna. You can take a fast ferry from Como to Bellagio, but only traditional ferries operate between Bellagio and Varenna. Depending on the time of year, ferries operate frequently throughout the day but not overnight.

We DROVE TO Varenna and stayed there.THen we took theboat around Lake Como.The boats run frequently.The schedules are easy to read and I beleive the boats run hourly.

June is correct about the fast ferry--actually it's a hydrofoil--from Como. It makes only 2 or 3 stops before Bellagio and takes about 45 minutes. The other option from Como makes many stops and takes at least 2 hours. I'm not sure if it stops in Varenna. Regardless, it will be faster to take the faster hydrofoil to Bellagio and then change to the ferry for the short trip to Varenna.

The Navigazione Laghi web site currently posts schedules for Spring 2003, through May 30, 2003. Summer schedules will be posted in the near future, and should reflect additional services. From Como Monday through Saturday, there is a hydrofoil at 12:15 (arriving Varenna at 13:11) and again at 13:35 (arriving 14:30). On Sundays, the service leaves at 14:00 and arrives Varenna at 14:59. Fare is Euro 9.80 per adult (inclusive of hydrofoil supplement).<BR><BR>Bear in mind that you can also reach Varenna from Malpensa as follows:<BR><BR>1. Airporter bus (every 10-15 minutes) to Milano Stazione Centrale in one hour;<BR><BR>2. Local train (nearly hourly) from Milano Centrale to Varenna train station in about 70 minutes. Train schedules and fares at www.trenitalia.com<BR><BR>This bus/train combination is less expensive that taking the (less frequent) SPT Como airporter bus to Como, followed by the Navigazione Laghi hydrofoil to Varenna.

Thanks for the input. I'll try to re-read the boating schedules using GAC's input as the guideline. The bus/train may be cheaper but doesn't sound as nice. Also the time it takes doesn't seem too different (2hrs give or take). We'll have to coordinate times depending on when our overnight flight actually gets in (due to arrive 8am). We are going in late June. Thanks!

The boat ride alone makes that route desirable, especially if the weather cooperates. I bow to GAC's more complete info. Based on the times given, I assume that the Varenna stop is right after Bellagio.

The SPT airporter bus from Malpensa to Como leaves at 9:20 a.m. daily and again at 11:00 Monday thru Saturday. If you take the latter bus, you will have a 15 minute connection for the hydrofoil in Como.