Hi

I am trying to narrow down some specifics for my Italy trip in May.

We will be flying to Milan, staying there the first night, and then going on to Bellagio the next day.

While hiring a driver would certainly be easier, it's expensive, so before I rule it out, I am looking into the train/ferry option.

I am looking at train times on Trenitalia, and they give me several station options for when we get to Como: Como Nord Borghi, Nord Camerlata, Nord Lago, and San Giovanni. Which one?

Am I right in thinking this is what we need to do:
Train from Milan to Como
Ferry from Como to Varenna
Ferry from Varenna over to Bellagio

Also, are there taxi's at the ferry dock in Bellagio that will take us to our apartment (La Limonera)?

Sorry about all the questions, right now it seems a little confusing. I also have to figure out how to get from Bellagio to Venice, so I will probably be asking more questions as the trip nears.

Thank you,
Johanna

Is there a reason you need to go through Como?

I stayed in Bellagio in 2006. It's beautiful! I flew into Milan Linate, took the STAM bus to the main train station, then took a train directly to Varenna-Esino. It took about an hour. Very easy. From there, a ferry took me to Bellagio and yes, I think there were taxis near the dock.

Hi lightpacker,

I'm not sure if I need to go through Como, so all suggestions are appreciated. Your way does sound easier.

Johanna

Since you are already IN Milan, I think you'd find it easier to go to Centrale, the main rail station, and take the train to Varenna-Esino.

Those trains leave about every two hours; the trip to Varenna takes about 1.5 hours; the train usually stops twice (Monza and Lecco) and the majority of cars are 2nd Class.

There is NO need to reserve anything and no need to ride in First.

The lake views begin at Lecco so sit on the left (faceing forward) side for those.

In Varenna...the distance ot the ferry dock is about 10 minutes' walk...ALL downhill.

There is a ticket booth where you can buy the ferry tickets. Two types of ferries cross the lake to Bellagio: those which take foot passengers only (fewer) and those which take cars and foot passengers (more frequent)...the trip across takes about 10-15 minutes UNLESS you get a ferry which stops at Menaggio first and in that case it will take slightly longer.

You can do the Como thing and then the hydrofoil/ferry from there or go via Varenna. If you are in Varenna waiting for the ferry you can always get a drink/bite to eat at the hotel/restaurant across from the ticket booth or at one of those mobile snack stands that often sets up next to the dock.

Dukey and lightpacker have outlined the best route - train to Varenna-Es.

If you want to do the Como route then San Giovanni is the mainline station about a mile from the boat docks for Bellagio service

You can also take the Nord de Milan (sp/) sideline route from Milan's Cordona station i believe to a Como train station right at the boat dock but this is a slow train route that takes much longer than the mainline to S Giovanni

BTW, unless things have changed, the station in Varenna is unmanned. There used to be ticket machines but who knows how reliable those might be.

You might consider buying R/T tickets in Milano or you can buy return tickets at the travel agency near the station in Varenna.

Here's the answer to your implied question about getting from Bellagio to Venice. Return to Milano Centrale. Take a train directly to Venezia Santa Lucia.

This is why I love this site, so much great information, thanks.

So it looks like the train from Milan to Varenna it is.


Thank you,
Johanna

I envy your stay at La Limonera!

As you're already in Milan, take a train (one hour duration, less frequent than an hour) from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino. (No reserved seats, it's more like a bus on rails.) From the station in Varenna, walk down the hill (10 minutes) to the dock and take the ferry (15 minutes) to Bellagio. There are usually taxis at the dock in Bellagio, but if several people getting off the ferry need taxis there could be a short wait. The train to Varenna is on the national train system. Go to www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html.

For others who may be starting at Malpensa, take the Malpensa Express Train (NOT the bus) heading for Milan. At the second stop (Saronno, 20 minutes, 2 trains an hour), switch to a train to Como Lago (short connection, 40 minutes, 2 trains an hour). From the station, walk or cab to the dock and take the ferry or hyrofoil to Bellagio. These two trains are Ferrovie Nord trains and not part of the national system. Go to www.fnmgroup.it/website/lenord/en/home/index/php and search the "Milan Branch."

The website for Lake Como ferry service: www.navigazionelaghi.it/home_e_html.

Thank you, Jean for the ferry schedule.

Have you stayed at La Limonera? It seems to get good reviews.

Johanna

Yes, this site has good looking echos, too

It's been a few years, but yes we've stayed at La Limonera. (It was recommended to us by a local resident.) We would have stayed there many more times, but it has been booked up. You were smart to make your reservations well in advance.

Here is how we did MXP to Bellagio.
There is a bus from MXP to the town of Como. You can get off right at the lake front square. We took a normal boat, not fast boat to Bellagio (about two hours).

Most international flights land early in the am so you can get to Bellagio about mid-day.

For Bellagio to Venice -
Boat Bellagio to Varenna,
Train Varenna to Milano Centrale,
Train Milano Centrale into Venice.

Off the top of my head the train part is 3 to 4 hours.

When we did it we took an early (appx 8:00am) boat from Bellagio to Lecco and walked from the boat dock to the train station. This worked fine for us but might be difficult with lots of luggage.

We flew in to Milan, picked up a car at the airport and drove up to the" Grand Tremezzo Hotel". It was one of our best European vacations of many. It is very easy to drive as the town are small and you need a car to go out for dinner.

During the day we used the boats to go to all of the towns on the lake. The "Tremezzo" is right across the lake from Bellagio, and the views were stunning.

My favorite restaurant of all time is "Al Velue"in the hills overlooking the lake about 5 min. from the Tremezzo. The views at night and the food were all something to remember.

The boats were easy, but don't run at night. The towns we liked were Varenna, Bellagio, Mennagio, Tremezzo, and the island in the lake(forgot the name, but there is only 1). The town we really didn't like at all was Como-dirty, full of grafity, etc.

There may be taxies in Belliago, but I didn't see them. If you do ferry from Como to Bellagio, take the high speed hydrofoil. It's long and tedious on the slow boat, and not much to see until you get farther north up to Belliago-Tremezzo area.

Also after 10 glorious days on Lake Como, we drove to Bergamo which would be on the way to Venice. It was very easy.

I know you want to "train it", but think about driving. It is really very easy, except in Rome, and you can stop where you want and explore.