freespirit61

Hi everyone,

I need a little help. I will be in Milan after Thanksgiving and want to go see the Swiss Alps. I saw a train trip but thought to ask Fodorites recommendations and past experiences. I also want to go to Lake Como. Advise on both is appreciated.

Thanks.

Joni

bobthenavigator

How many days do you have?

freespirit61

I am arriving Sunday and returning to the US on Thursday. I think only a day trip is doable and I know its a push but I want to also go to Lake Como for a daytrip. Thanks for your quick reply.

Jean

You can train from Milan's central station to either Lugano in Switzerland or Varenna-Esino on Lake Como in about an hour. From Varenna, it's a short ferry ride to Bellagio.

If you could spend a night away from Milan, train to Lugano early, explore, then take a bus to Menaggio on Lake Como in the late afternoon and spend the night. The next day, ferry to Bellagio and walk around, then ferry to Varenna to catch a train back to Milan. If you do this, buy both train tickets when you're leaving Milan because the train station in Varenna is unmanned.

http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/homepage_en.html

swandav2000

Hi freespirit61,

The closest high Alps to Milan would be those in the Valais, and some towns you could head for are Brig (right on the train line), Bettmeralp or Riederalp (a little detour above Brig), or of course famous Zermatt.

You can find the exact train schedules at the Swiss rail site,

www.rail.ch

Have fun!

s

alihutch

You can also take the train from Milan to Como town, which takes about 40 mins and get the ferry to any place on the lake. Or just site see in Como, also getting the funicular up to Brunate for a stunning view of the area. Bellagio isn't the be all and end all of Lake Como.

Steve_James

Hi FS - If you're planning this as a day-trip you'd need to make a really early start to maximise daylight hours.

Ferry timetables across Lake Como can be found at:
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/home_e.html

Steve

Mimar

You could train from Milan to Locarno, Switzerland (2 hours). Then, next to the train station in Locarno, there's a funicular that goes up hill. (Check out Santa Maria del Sasso and its view of Lago Maggiore.) The funicular connects with a gondola, which, in turn, connects with a ski lift. You'll end up at the Cardada ski area high in the mountains with great mountain and lake views.

kerrilynn

If I remember right...If you have a RailEurope Pass the regional trains (Milan to lake Como) are free. Just an FYI

Jean

The train from Milan to the town of Como (as opposed to Varenna-Esino), leaves from the Cardorna station (as opposed to the Centrale station).

http://www.lenord.it/en/index.php

freespirit61

thank you, everyone.. the overnight options sound very good. as always, i appreciate all the past experiences and advise.

joni

PaulandMoni

Joni,
I'd take Jean's advice. We were by Lake Como for a week in September - unforgettable. If you happen to love silk, remember that Como is a center of the silk industry...
Have a good trip
Paul