Is there any type of public transportation directly between Lake Como to Lake Maggiore? (Does not involve going though Milan) I haven't found any, but I thought I'd tap into the wealth of knowledge here to confirm. TIA.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1722 posts
There is no direct line and, I suspect, not much demand.
You could try a detour through Switzerland. Two itineraries come to my mind: Como - Mendrisio - Gallarate and then up the line to Domodossola to Arona or Sesto Calende. All regional trains, but frequent; Como-Arona would take 1h 45min with two changes.
Or from Como there are direct services to Locarno that is in Switzerland but on Lake Maggiore....
From the Varenna side of the lake there are no alternatives without passing through Milan.
Posted by
OP
NC, US
219 posts
Thanks for the feedback. This is in line with what I had found, but wasn't sure if I'd just missed something. We really don't want to have to train back to Milan to go between the lakes (time constraints), but the alternatives are 1) hire a driver or 2) rent a car. Not ideal either way.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1722 posts
Well, I forgot another solution through Switzerland: Como to Cadenazzo, just south of Bellinzona, then to Luino, back in Italy and on Lake Maggiore. Still not an ideal solution.
Do not think a car would be much faster. Even by car there is not a fast itinerary.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17562 posts
The mountains get in the way of trains.
Here is a Swiss map of public transport options, showing Italy as well.
From Menaggio on Como you could take a bus to Lugano and move to many locations on Lago Maggiore from there.
.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32363 posts
Where on Lake Como will you be? The easiest solution from the east side of the lake (ie: Varenna) is train to Milano Centrale and then train to Stresa (or other town on Lake Maggiore). However if you don't want to go through Milan, that reduces the options.