We are planning a 40 day trip in Northern Italy in September. Our first leg is into Milan (arriving 2050) with the first night spent at the Holiday Inn Express in Malpensa. Then the bus from Malpensa airport to Stresa. 3 days in Stresa, probably staying at Hotel Elena or Hotel Italia Suisse or Albergo Luina, visiting the Borromean Islands, doing the Centrovalli train/ferry trip and spending time in Cannobio and Luino. We then want to travel from Laveno to Como (via Varese?). So far we have not been able to find whether there are trains or buses from Laveno to Varese and Como. Are there any expert travellers who have travelled or know this route who can provide us with assistance? Also if anyone who has stayed at Albergo Luina has any photographs of the rooms, we would appreciate being able to see them. The hotel does not have any photographs of the rooms.
Many thanks.

You can take a bus directly from Malpensa airport to Stresa. It's a one hour ride. There are no hotels inside the airport area, so you will end up spending some time getting to the Holday Inn -- time you could instead be spending in Stresa.

I'm sorry I can't help you with your other questions.

Hi Zeppole

Yes, I know that I can take the bus directly from Malpensa airport to Stresa and will be doing so on 10/9. However, we arrive at 2050 on 9/9. By the time we go through customs and immigration and collect our bags, the last bus will have long left at 2030! Nor can we catch a train from Gallatare as the last train will have also left. Rather than hang around the airport until 7.30a.m. the next morning after a 20+ hour flight, we thought it best if we found a close hotel (supposed to be 500m from Terminal 1 - opened late last year or early this year) where we could refresh ourselves with sleep and a shower and then be able to enjoy the trip to Stresa the next morning at a reasonable hour.

Take a train from Laveno-Mombello Nord station to Saronno.
From Saronno, take a train to Como Nord Lago.

The total trip takes 1 hr 50 mins to about 2 hr 10 mins depending on the connecting time.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD

That certainly makes sense.