We are arriving in Milan in Sept at 8:20 am and then were planning on heading to Varenna straight from the Milano Centrale. We cannot check in to our Air BnB until 4pm that day and I’m curious about a stop in Bergamo to see the old town and have lunch. Is it worth it or just head straight to Varenna for lunch etc. we are only in Varenna from Thursday-Saturday and then are headed to La Spezia.
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
You may have jet lag and stopping at Bergamo is not a cogent strategy. We would probably spend the first night in Milano, but we're in our 70s. Going to Varenna straight from Malpensa would be my selection...if we were younger.
Bergamo is a really neat place and a few years ago we spent three nights at a really upscale hotel in the old section.
Buon viaggio,
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16320 posts
Travelslow, Bergamo is not really a "stop" between Milan and Varenna. The best part is the medieval section perched high above the more modern city. Right off an international flight, I'd go straight to Varenna versus add more transport legs right off an international flight.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
36 posts
Thank you for the replies! Heard wonderful things about Bergamo but we might try to go on our way out of Varenna. Also the first reply stated going straight from Malpensa to Varenna but my understanding is that we have to take the train from the airport to Milano Centrale and then connect to Varenna-Espino.
Posted by
Washington DC
27591 posts
I think what RB means is that Bergamo is on a spur railway line, and making that detour is probably not a good idea on your arrival day, when you may well be too sleepy to remember seeing Bergamo. The town is very atmospheric and certainly worrth a visit.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16320 posts
also the first reply stated going straight from Malpensa to Varenna
but my understanding is that we have to take the train from the
airport to Milano Centrale and then connect to Varenna-Espino.
Yes, there are no direct trains from Malpensa airport to Varenna so you'll need to switch trains at Milano Centrale. There's no need to purchase tickets in advance, and you wouldn't want to anyway in case of a delayed flight, long immigration lines, etc. I'm sure what the first reply meant by "going to Varenna straight from Malpensa" was without any detours for (jetlagged) sightseeing.
To expound a bit further on the Bergamo thing, this is what it would take to do that one:
Train from Malpensa to Milano Porta Garibaldi
Train from Milano Porta Garibaldi to Bergamo; store luggage
Bus from the Bergamo station up to Città Alta (this is the part of Bergamo one should see)
Bus back to station from Città Alta; collect luggage
Train to Varenna with a train change in Lecco.
So it's messing around with a lot of transport on an arrival day! Città Alta also deserves more time than just a stop for lunch: it's an interesting place.
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
Sorry for any confusion. Going to Bergamo by way of Varenna on your arrival day would require some train connections and you may have jet lag. It is not a strategy we would use. As stated before, because of our age we would spend the first night in Milano before moving on. Going to Varenna after Malpensa and connections at Stazione Centrale would seem a cogent strategy. Going to Bergamo on the same day...not so much.
Buon viaggio,