Milan to Lake Como by train
 

Hello, landing at Malpensa Airport in Milan, taking the train to Varenna. What's the best way to get from that airport to the applicable train station and how much time should I allow?<BR><BR>dank je wel!

I received some help from Bob Little (bobthenavigator) and also from Rick Steves' book. Here's it is: "A bus leaves every :20 from Malpensa to Milano Centrale station. There you take the train to Varenna-make sure you get the train to "Sondrio" which stops in Varenna". I want to save some time without having to go to the train station, unfortunately I cannot find any direct bus from Malpensa to Varenna. But I did find out that there is direct bus from Malpensa to Stressa and Como. If you stay in Como or Stressa, there you have it.

You can take the direct bus to Como and than the ferry that goes around the lake, which will take you to Varenna. Buses from Malpensa to Como leave from busstop n. 13, the theleohone number for further informations is +39 031 247111, no web page available, afaik.<BR><BR>By the way, Ying, it's Stresa with only one "s". Stressa (stressare) in Itlaian means to tire to death somone.

Alice is quite right about the best way to get from Malpensa to Varenna--a bus to Como (the city) and a boat from there to Varenna.

To Howard & Alice: It sounds like you two are experts on this one, I hope you can answer a few questions here:<BR><BR>How often the bus leave busstop #13 from Malpensa for Como? How often the ferry or even the hydrofoil leave Como for Varenna? How long does it take? I notice from the Lake Como map that the ferry leaves from Brunate in Como and make stop at Tavernola, Cernobbio, Belvio, Moltrasio, Torno, Urio, Carate, Faggeto Lario, Pognana Lario, Torrigia, Careno, Nesco, Argegno, Colonno, Isola Comacina, Lazzeno, Campo, Lenno, Tremezzo, Cadenabbia, Bellagio then Varenna. That's a lot of stops!<BR><BR>I plan to be be in Varenna via Milan next month. Had my train schedule all set (not paid). If this is a better way to go, I'll take it.<BR><BR>Thanks

Well - according to the online timetable, Malpensa-Como buses are not very frequent. Have a look at:-<BR>www.sptcomo.it/orari/malpensa.html<BR><BR>Admittedly it's a 2001 timetable - so may or may not still be valid - but unless it's a more frequent service than shown you might have a long wait!<BR><BR>Ferry timetables are on:<BR>www.navlaghi.it<BR>You might have to change at Menaggio.<BR><BR>I can't help thinking it might be quicker to take the bus (Malpensa Shuttle, www.airpullman.com)) into Milan, then train to Varenna, - but I defer to Alice & Howard on this one.<BR><BR>Steve

I'm not an expert. My advice is based on the experience of having been there. Obviously, the length of the trip depends on your luck in making connections. If my memory is accurate, the bus trip from Malpensa to Como takes less than an hour. <BR>In 1999, there were two ferry options from Como:<BR>1. This was what I call an "express," which made two stops before hitting Bellagio and took 45 minutes. I'm not sure if it went to Varenna. If not, you could catch the short ferry ride (about 10-15 minutes) from Bellagio to Varenna.<BR>2. The second ferry route made many stops. I believe that's the one referred to previously by Ying. That one takes about 2 hours (at least it did 3 years ago).<BR>One of the advantages of the bus/ferry option is that you experience the glorious boat ride on the lake.<BR>I have no idea how these times compare with taking a train from Malpensa to Milan and then the train to Varenna. I do believe, however, that you would be backtracking!<BR>

Thank you, Howard and Steve. Your information is most helpful, especially the web sites that provided by Steve. This is the first time I used them. The ferry schedule comes in very handy. At least I have the option when I arrive in Malpensa to go by train or bus/ferry to Varenna. Two hours on the ferry on a beautiful lake can be quite relaxing after a long flight from NY unless it rains and gets cold and dark. Thanks again.<BR> <BR>Ying

You can also take the bus from Malpensa to Menaggio--just across the lake from Bellagio and Varenna. Again, there is not very frequent service but if you were lucky enough to catch one, takes about 40 minutes. Catch the ferry across to Varenna.<BR><BR>If you are not able to work the bus into your schedule, to either Como or Menaggio, I'd stick with the plan to bus into Milano Centrale (can take 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic!!) and then train direct to Varenna (about 40 minutes I think). (Yes, there are other alternatives, by why complicate matters!)