Getting from Malpensa to Bellagio

Its confusing as there are several ways to get to Bellagio by public transport. I think the simplest is to take the train from Malpensa to Milano Centrale station (every 30 minutes) then the train to Varenna-Esino (generally once per hour), then the mid-lake shuttle to Bellagio. On the current schedule, if you can make the 9:13 Malpensa Express train, there is a 15 minute connection time at Milano Centrale that will get you to Varenna at 11:23. Walk down to the dock, looks like there maybe a boat at 12:15 (July-Oct 2019 schedule) and a 15 minute crossing time to Bellagio. Train tickets are about 20 EUR per person, you can buy out of the kiosk at the airport station, or wait in line at the ticket window. Both trains are operated by Trenord.

Sam gave you an option.
Another option, maybe not as fast, but certainly more scenic, is the following:

Malpensa Express train
From MALPENSA AEROPORTO to SARONNO
Regional Train from
SARONNO to COMO NORD LAGO
(Total train journey time 1h18m)

Once at Como Nord Lago walk to the ferry dock (100 m. or 2 min walk).
Take ferry from Como to Bellagio through the most beautiful branch of the lake.
(Fast ferry travel time 50min)

Another vote for the second option! You will see more of the lake, and it doesn't take much more time (if at all).

Thank you for this question and information. I am planning a trip to Bellagio in April, and I had not considered that second choice. It sounds nice!

The second option is just as fast if one times the travel according to the ferry schedule. The ferries are not as frequent as the trains, therefore it is important to arrive at Como at the right time for the next ferry, otherwise you might have to wait a long time at the dock.

Ferry timetables are below. The summer schedule should be available in Spring.
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/risultati.aspx?lake=Como

Train timetables are in the Trenitalia website or also Trenord website. Trenord is the Regional Division of Trenitalia in Lombardy..

There two types of ferries. The regular ferry allows you watch the scenery go by, enjoyable. The fast ferry is much quicker but you are inside, like being in a capsule. Can’t see too much outside with water splashing up on the windows.

Very grateful for all the quick valuable advice and comment. Much appreciated.
From Bellagio will be travelling by train to Verona for a few days and then on to Venice. Can anyone suggest the best train options?

No doubt there. Mid-lake shuttle boat to Varenna, train to Milano Centrale. Train to Verona. Then train to Venezia S. Lucia. The only decision is whether to take a high speed train for the Milan-Verona and Verona-Veneice segments, or take a Regionale. The Regionale trains are unreserved, always the same price. The high speed trains are more expensive if bought spur of the moment, but advance nonrefundable tickets, either Super Economy or Economy can be inexpensive.

The Regionali are not actually slower than the high speed trains, they just make more stops. For instance, Milano Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova is 1 hour 13 minutes by Freccia trains, 1 hour and 23 minutes by Eurocity trains, and 1 hour and 50 minutes by Regionali. The Freccia trains are newer train sets.

For Verona Porta Nuova to Venezia S. Lucia, the Freccia and Eurocity trains do it in 1 hour a 10 minutes while the Regionale Veloce train does it in 1 hour and 27 minutes. These trains depart Verona at 21 past the hour, and if you take these, make sure you get the Veloce, as other regional trains are very slow indeed.

Thanks again for great info. Extremely helpful. I will be posting a request for info regarding other travel in Italy but will do that in a separate post.