Bellagio to Malpensa for early international flight

If your flight leaves at 10:30 then you need to leave Bellagio by 7 am. I am sure Roberto will chime in, but if it was me, I would stay in Milan the night before.

Your only other option is to hire a private water taxi and take the 5:26 train from Varenna, gets to Malpensa at 8:17 after a change at Milano Centrale. http://www.barindellitaxiboats.it/

"Don't really want to leave Bellagio the final night and transfer to a hotel near Malpensa, but may if that's the consensus."

I certainly understand this, but for me, I'd be a nervous wreck the whole time if I tried to get from Bellagio to Malpensa for a international morning flight, by any method other than a prebooked car service (which as you found is not cheap). So I vote for the closer hotel the night before.

160 euros does not sound a bad price, considering it will be a 90 minutes drive through difficult highways and the driver risks to have to drive back empty. But if money is a concern you either move to a closer hotel for the last night, or you find a later flight.

You sound as if you are not familiar with the route that you would need to drive. Our experience was a little different, driving from Baveno (near Stresa), which our hotel said was 45 minutes. Well, maybe for Italians drivers . . . Fortunately I allowed us twice that amount of time. You need to put aside your American expectations of roads to airports and signage. If it's a weekday, you'll encounter morning rush hour traffic. You'll need to fill your tank somewhere. Bottom line, the expense and nerve-wracking character of the rental car alternative make it the worst choice, imo. I agree with those who advise you to spend the night near the airport. You'll sleep later and better.

Rosalyn -- I didn't even think about having to deal with rush hour, but that's about the time we'd be driving! And yes, I am not familiar at all with the route needed to travel, and in fact, I don't think I've ever driven in Italy (unless you count Sicily!) - we always take the train or stay in one place and walk. Never been to this area of Italy and haven't had as much time to plan as I usually do.

Thanks for everyone's input. It is greatly appreciated!

I've driven to and from Bellagio by both routes. No way would I do it to meet a plane.

Sorry, for a 10:30 am wheels up at Malpensa I think you might as well stay near the airport. You could stay in Milan and get out to the airport early in the morning but that adds more complication of getting in and out of the urban core with luggage. If you want to look into staying near the airport, check out the Hotel First. There is absolutely nothing to do nearby but it is a clean, modern hotel with a nice patio out front to enjoy the evening.

Thanks Doug -- someone on another forum suggested Hotel First. I've looked into it and they have a decent rate for the night we would need. Thanks for your first-hand knowledge of the route.

Thanks for everyone's input. We've decided to stay near the airport the final night.

I took a mid-morning flight out of Malpensa last week. It appears there is a quite a bit of remodeling inside the airport getting ready for the 2015 Expo, therefore allow yourself plenty of time. We arrived at the Malpensa Express station, took the elevator up to the departure level, walked all the way to one end of the airport to check-in (American-based companies are all at one end of the airport to themselves) and then turned around, backtracked through the airport and continued on to security and then eventually the gate. It took us about 1.5 hours to get from the shuttle, through the lines, and to the gate. With increased security measures for flights leaving to the USA going into effect, I would suggest giving yourself additional time.

While you are in Bellagio - try the gelato shop at the top of the town. It is in Rick's book. They have the most fabulous gelato.
Happy travels!

If you like a lake setting stay in Stresa or Arona on lake Maggiore instead the day before your flight. Just minutes via train from Gallarate (the town next to Malpensa). I sent you a private message with the details.

Thanks everyone for their input. AB, thanks for the current airport conditions. We have decided to stay near the airport for the final night to alleviate any possible stress associated with transportation.

Thank you!!!

Glad your plan is coming together. €160 does sound similar to what some of our tour members paid for a taxi from Malpensa to Varenna during a train strike.

I'd stay in Bellagio and pay the extra for the car service and leave early. 160 euro is worth it to me to stay on the lake vs the city. if you are an early person go for it.