klapenta

Hi--Looking into our in-country transportation for next June.
Our plan is to travel from Rome to Bellagio.
Our first experience traveling on trains and want to make it as painless as possible!
Would anyone critique this for me?
Thinking about leaving Rome around 9:30am or 10:30 on Eurostar and arriving in Milan about 2:00pm or 3:00
I believe the next connection should be to Varenna where we can take a ferry over to Bellagio. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
The next train to Varenna (D train) is at 2:15--arriving in Varenna at around 3:15. Otherwise we would have to wait till 4:15. (According to the current schedules)
My questions are--
-Is that 15 minute connection do-able?
-And the D (diretto) train to Varenna--will we be able to carry on a couple of pieces of luggage each?
- How easy is it to catch the ferry from the train station and what time could we expect to arrive in Bellagio?
Any better suggestions would be really appreciated!
Thank You Soooooo Much!

TopMan

Trains from Centrale to Varenna (the station name is actually Varenna-Esino) which are usually bound for Tirano (NOT Turino)leave about every two hours and the trip takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes (two stops along the way at Monza and Lecco).
Sit on the left hand side of the train (facing forward) for the best lake views which begin at Lecco.

Absolutely no need to make any sort of seat reservation for one of these trains, even if you are traveling during the "rush hour" when a lot of folks will be taking the train home. The trains usually have more than enough cars and seats.

Plenty of baggage storage both overhead, underneath seats, and at the end of the cars if necessary.

Taxis usually meet every train that arrives from Milan in Varenna. You can walk to the ferry dock if you wish..it is all downhill from the RR station and takes about 10-15 minutes max.

There are frequent ferries to both Menaggio and Bellagio from Varenna...ask the folks in the ticket booth when the next one leaves. Two kinds of ferries run: those for foot passengers only and those leave from the dock nearest the ticket booth. The more frequent ferries take both foot passengers and cars and leave from the larger dock a few steps away from the ticket booth. Don't worry, you won't get on the wrong one.

Enjoy the lake..it is truly wonderful.

klapenta

Thanks so much for the very helpfull info. You make it sound easy---I can't wait!

TopMan

It IS easy (once you've done it once!!!!!..some of us seem to forget that the VERY first time it didn't seem as easy as it turned out).

I wish I could advise you re the quick connection time in Milan...that station is big and has many platforms. Hopefully, your arriving train will be on time. There is the usual HUGE automated departure board at the head of the platforms. Knowing the train number for Varenna will help.

At the ferry dock in Varenna..there is a combo hotel/restaurant directly across the street from the ticket booth where you can grab something if you have to wait for any period of time for the next ferry. Also, there are sometimes those motorized snack coaches parked next to the ferry dock. Last time we were there there was one that was more like a deli than a snack wagon; all sorts of meats and cheeses available, soft drinks, the usual deal.

Again, have a wonderful trip.