ronin

the thread on getting to Lake Como (actually to Bellagio, I think) from Malpensa airport using the Malpensa Express & getting off mid-way was dead on. We boarded the Malpensa Express, got off at Saronno - went through the sotopassaggio - got on the Lake Como-bound train & arrived in a snap! If there was any bit of info on the Malpensa Express train that might've helped, it would be a tip on how to connect up to Milano Centrale station via the FerronovieNord system if you're forced (by one of the famous rail system strikes May 6th) to reverse your trip from Varenna, via ferry, to Como, then via the Como-Cadorna (privately run & not affected by strike!) train into Milan.

What we learned... all centro metro tix are 1 Euro - we kept single Euro coins, as the machines we encountered were a little finicky about "small change". The choices at Cadorna seem daunting, but a very kind young man took pity on our frustration at the ticket machine and walked us through it. For Milano Centrale station, you want the green Metro line, bound for Gessate. The ticket you got from the machine, put into the very BART-like slot above the entry gate, and it opens to let you in.

A note: to make matters more confusing for some (well, for me!), some of these ticket machines say ATM on'em... the letters standing for Azienda Trasporti Milanesi. ;-)

here's a map of the Metro system - we used it frequently during our short stay in Milan.
http://www.citylightsnews.com/ztmmmp1.htm

textraveler

Ronin - which city did you arrive at in the lake Como area? We are trying to get to Varenna from Malpensa. Our original plan was to take the Malpensa bus into Milan Centrale Station, then take a train to Varenna.

But, if we can bypass Milan's Centrale Station by bus, and take a train directly to (eventually) Varenna, that should shave some time and euro off the trip. Did you arrive in Como itself, or Bellagio, or another city?

If one arrives at say, Bellagio, must one take a taxi from the train station down to the ferry dock? If so, I'm not sure how much time and hassle would be saved given that we are four people with luggage.

I know there is a private bus line that run from Malpensa to the Lakes area, but it leave Malpensa at around 11:10 am (and our flight is schedule to arrive a little after 10:15, so that would probably not be doable. Next (and final for the day) train leaves at 1:10 pm, and we do't want to waste time hanging around Malpensa all that time. Also, as I read the info onthese busses, one must book ahead, and I can't be sure we could definitely catch the 11:10 bus.

Many thanks for any comments from anyone who has had experience!

Textraveler

tuscanlifeedit

Textraveler

you might want to post your questions on a new thread if you don't get the info you're looking for.

All I can tell you is that trains do NOT run to Bellagio. Como, si; Varenna, si; Bellagio: Nope!

textraveler

Thanks, tuscanlifeedit!

Jean

For information on the many transport options between mid-Lake Como, Malpensa and Milano Centrale, go to www.bellagiolakecomo.com. Click on English. Click on "How to reach Bellagio."

ronin

textraveler - we arrived in Malpensa at one of those intervals that narrowed our options quite a bit, and I assume now that it's the rule - not the exception! We missed the bus from the airport to Como by a half-hour and those only run occasionally these days:
http://www.sptcomo.it/malpensa.php

We'd planned on taking the slow-journey on the lake on one of the legs to/from Varenna, so when I found the Malpensa Express thread here I figured we'd take the ferry boat from Como Nord to Varenna (about 2 hours?) on the arrival route - we were still early for check-in at Albergo Milano by a good hour or two (lunch!), but well-relaxed and I honestly believe that the time we spent on deck in morning sun really helped with my jetlag.

What we didn't plan for was the rail strike on our departure day - which put us back on the ferry boat from Varenna to Como and then back to Malpensa on the commuter express... my wife on one train, me on the next train out. Yep, I got off briefly (with my luggage, at least!) to see if either of the trains bound for Milan were an express or if they'd both stop at every point along the route. As soon as I got off and rounded the other train, the first train took off with my wife on-board & freaking... All's well that ends well, and she was waiting at the next stop for me. And no digital photo of my running down the platform with my bags in tow... have a great trip!

textraveler

Wow, ronin - what excitement on the train!

Now, when you did arrive at the town of Como on the train (was it indeed a one-hour trip?)then how did you get from the train station to the ferry boat dock? Did you walk, or take a taxi? How long did that take? Then in Varenna, did you take a taxi to your hotel? Do you recall how much that was?

I'm trying to weigh all my options with the various scenarios of getting from Malpensa to our Varenna hotel and factoring the time spent and euros spent. We're staying at the Eremo Gaudio, BTW. Did you see it or do you have knowledge of it?

Does anyone know what happens if you stay on the train and don't get off at Como? Does it go on to Varenna eventually? The Trenitalia website is hard to decipher.

Thanks!

ronin

I am familiar with your hotel as I looked down on it while hiking the mountainside one morning - it's quite a ways away from either the Varenna train station or the ferry stop. We walked the waterfront to our hotel from the ferry, but the tram to Eremo Gaudio is several blocks hence. A cab may be tough at the train station, but calling the hotel to let them know you're coming my facilitate that much better. Getting a cab at the little plaza at the ferry stop shouldn't be a problem at all.

The commuter express from Malpensa to Saronno, then from Saronno to Como NORD (this is the actual terminous and where you want to exit the train) took about an hour tops, with the quickie transfer at Saronno. You walk out of the station toward the lake (beautiful wrought-iron gate arch) and you can see the ferry building across the plaza and to the left. We stopped for a croissant & espresso immediately at the bar across from the station. Very kind folks there!

The ferry from Como Nord was a passenger-only boat and zig-zagged across the lake with the end run being a Bellagio-Menaggio-Varenna routing. Once you're in Varenna, you'll have the choice of the auto ferries, as well, to increase your flexibility of travel times between the lake towns.

I don't have any personal experience with it, but other postings have talked about how short the stop actually is on the "real" train stop at Varenna. Just be poised and ready to make your move.

Holly_uncasdewar

The train that goes from Milan to the city of Como, then goes on to Switzerland. If you don't get off in Como, then you should have your camera ready.

The walk from that station, located atop bit of a hill with a huge concrete staircase, to the ferries is about 10 minutes with a manageable piece of luggage. Taxis are available. There is also a bus to Bellagio from right outside that station.

Holly_uncasdewar

Please note we're talking about different trains and different stations here - i.e., there are many options.

textraveler

Thanks, ronin and holly!

Textraveler

daisies

We, too, are struggling with transportation to Varenna from Malpensa. Our hotel, Olivida, said the Gianolini bus service to Varenna from airport was no longer running. According to the travel service in Varenna, it is running and provides direct transportation. Bus leaves Term. 1 at 11:00. Not sure which choice we're making yet. Bus must have advance reservation. Train to Saronno and then Como sounds like the next best option. But there is also a train from Milan Central to Varenna. Taxi was not an option at 150 E.

ronin

you should absolutely consider the train from Milano Centrale to Varenna! We just wanted to see the lake from the ferry boat on one of the legs of our trip & it wasn't the worst thing to do it twice The bus from the airport to Milano Centrale will add to the travel time, but so would the Malpensa Express to Cadorna, and then the metro from Cadorna to Milano Centrale. It's all good travelling unless you're exhausted!

I forgot to mention that there is a very helpful travel booking agency just down the road from the train station into Varenna (they actually gave us a head's up about the impending strike during our stay) where you can purchase train tix, and maybe even bus tickets. They were very forgiving of my fledgling Italian and switched to English for my comfort.

daisies

Thanks, ronin
I've been on this for days trying to figure out the best way to get to Varenna. Rick Steves suggests the way you suggested; take the train to Milano Central and then catch a train heading for Sondrio or Tirano. He also said the stop at Varenna is one minute, be ready. Wish this were easier.....

textraveler

Well, everyone, thanks for the advice. We have settled on the option of taking the bus from Malpensa to Milan's Centrale station, then the train to Varenna, being aware of the one minute stopover! We will be 6 adults so some can hop off first and catch the luggage that the others throw off the train!

We decided on this option because there were frequent buses from Malpensa and frequent trains to Varenna. We are flying DFW to Zurich, then Zurich to Milan and arriving about 10:15 am, so we have plenty of time to make it to Varenna. Also, we plan to be on the ferry on Lake Como often the next day or so, so we will get to have that experience. With the time and euros factored in, this seemed to be the more desirable option.