Hello, We are arriving at Milan's Malpensa airport on a Monday evening at 6 p.m. (September 30, 2013). The train schedules aren't up yet for our arrival date but I was wondering if anyone thinks it is feasible that we would be able to make it to Varenna (Lake Como) that evening? We'd rather not spend a night in Milan and would like to get to Lake Como immediately but I'm not sure that is possible if we use public transportation. According to Rick Steve's book we can take the Malpensa Express train to Saranno and then take a train to Le Nord. However, I'm not sure these trains will be running late enough for us to clear customs, take the first train and hop on the 2nd to arrive in Lake Como that evening. Thank you for your help!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17595 posts
If you go via Saronno and Lago Nord, you will end up in th etown of Como and have to take a ferry up the lake to Varenna. I don't beleive the fery will be running that late; the spring schedule shows the last "fast ferry" going uplake departs at 19:20. The summer schedule may have a later boat, but by September 30 you will probably be back on the fall schedule. However, you could still get there by train to Varenna from Milano Centrale. The current schedule shows a departure from Milano Centrale at 21:20 and that should not change much with the new schedule. You should have no trouble making that train, assuming your plane is reasonably on time. There are several trains hourly connecting Malpensa to Milano Centrale, some with a change at Cadorna. The direct ones (no change) depart at 18:43 and 19:43 and take 52 minutes: the trains with a change are a bit faster (44 minutes).
Posted by
OP
Encinitas, California, USA
2 posts
Yes after I posted this and did more research I realized I would need to take the train to Milano Central and then to Varenna. Sounds like we can make it - thank you so much!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32402 posts
Nicole, Your best bet would be to take the Malpensa Express (train) from MXP Terminal 1 to Milano Centrale. Note that the Malpensa Express has two routes, one going to Milano Centrale and another to Milano Cadorna. BE SURE to board the correct train and DON'T forget to validate prior to boarding. You could also take the Malpensa Shuttle (Bus) from MXP to Milano Centrale. Time and cost are about the same as the train, but I'm not sure whether traffic will be an issue at that time of night. At Milano Centrale you can connect with the train to Varenna-Esino. You should be able to buy your tickets for both trains at the airport, which will save some time. The train to Varenna is a Regionale, so DON'T forget to validate! The easiest trip would be a departure from MXP at 18:43, arriving Varenna at 21:23 (one change at Milano Centrale). The next departure has one extra change at Milano Nord Cadorna and will not be as easy (especially after a long international flight), as you'll have to get from Cadorna to Centrale using the Metro or a Taxi! Note that the LAST departure from Milano Centrale to Varenna is at 21:20. If you don't make that, you'll have to spend one night in Milan. Happy travels!