Hello,
My husband and I wish to travel by train from Monte Carlo, France to Bellagio in Lake Como, Italy. Can someone give us tips on the best way to do this by train? I heard there is an international train to Milan and then another train to Varenna with a ferry to Bellagio. Any specifics would be most appreciated. Our trip is in Oct of this year,
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
wow,
That's actually quite a straight forward trip. This is the method I'd use on that route.....
- Departure at 08:24 from Monaco-Monte Carlo, arriving Milano Centrale at 12:50 (time 4H:26M, direct). There are numerous other trains on that route, but the others have one or two changes.
- Departure at 13:20 from Milano Centrale, arriving Varenna-Esino at 14:23 (time 1H:03M, Regionale train so DON'T forget to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train or you'll risk a hefty fine). It would be a good idea to buy your return ticket from Varenna to Milan at the same time, as the station in Varenna is not staffed (although there is a helpful travel agency in Varenna where you can buy tickets).
- Walk down the hill from the station (or take a Taxi) to the Ferry dock, which is right in front of Albergo Olivedo. You can buy tickets there.
- Board the next Ferry for Bellagio (trip is about 20 minutes).
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much! Can I ask for a bit more data? What train station do we go to in Monte Carlo to catch this train to Milan? Is there only one? And do we just ask for tickets to Milan Central? Then, when we get to Milan Central, how do we find the regional train to Varenna? It's a bit confusing when I research on line. Thanks again! You are a wonderful help!
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3989 posts
There is only one train station in Monte Carlo. When you get to Milano Centrale, you have to look for the display that lists the trains and where they are going just as you would at any other train station and then make your way to the appropriate track. Varenna is not the last stop on the train that takes you there so you should make sure that you know the final destination. I recently missed a train from MIlano Centrale because I cut it too close and there were two trains leaving at the exact same time so I had to know the final destination to know which was the correct one. The time it took me to figure that out led to me missing the train to Varenna. You can buy your ticket from Milan to Varenna online at the Tren Italia website and then you will not have to worry about validating the ticket as you would have to do with a ticket purchased at the station. Also, the station in Varenna is staffed or at least it was in mid-June of this year when I was there and had to get a ticket to Milan because I decided to take an earlier train back. There is a little office in the corner of the building where tickets were sold.