Lake Como - 4 nights

I'd stay three nights in Varenna, which is much more charming in the Middle Lakes area, than Como town, IMHO.
You need to be close to the airport the night before. We have stayed in Milan, around Milan Central, but the Airport Express train is still about 50 minutes.
I've never spent the last night in Como town before a flight, and am curious if anyone has, and if that a good alternative to going back to Milan.
Enjoy one of my favorite areas- we are going back to Varenna next spring.

I loved Como. I went in November so had the winter ferry schedule. I found Como delightful and convenient. Lake Como towns were lovely but small. Have you checked the ferry schedule to see your way around the lake and what makes the most sense?

First, which airport in Milan? If Malpensa, you do not have to go to Milan from Como. You can connect to either terminal via a train change in Saronno. If flying from Linate you will go to Milano Centrale then catch a quick bus there.

If going to Como, I've come to prefer heading up the eastern shoreline on that leg. There are many great hotels that way, only a short cab ride to the train station.

If choosing to stay in Varenna, it is just 1 hour to Milano Centrale, then at least an hour to Malpensa, depending on how quickly you can connect. Again, 15 minute bus ride to Linate.

I hope this helps.

Hi again. I’m leaving at 11:30 on 10/19 from Malpensa. I was actually thinking of just springing for a private transport to the airport from Como. I don’t want to stress over train schedules in the morning. I’m taking the train from Milano to Varenna on 10/15. I just wasn’t sure if I should stay an additional day in Varenna. I’ve heard mixed things about Como. Thx

Stay all 3 nights in Varenna, then spend your 4th and last night at either Milan (if you need to see something in Milan) or even at the Malpensa airport. No need to split your lake stay. You can enjoy it more if you stay in Varenna the whole time without wasting time to make the hotel transfer.

If your flight is in the morning, you need to be at the airport at the very least 2.5 hours prior to departure, so I wouldn't want to be far from the airport. If the hotel is right at the airport (there are many at Malpensa) it would be my preference, since Malpensa is not near the city of Milan. But if you want to stay a partial day in Milan to see Milan, that is fine also. You should try to sleep near the Cadorna station (not far from the Duomo) because from the Milan Cadorna station the Malpensa Express train takes only 36 min to the airport whereas from the Central station it takes about 55 min.

If you don't need to go back to Milan, then I would leave Varenna anytime in the afternoon of the day before your flight, so that you make it to the Malpensa hotel (whichever you wish) before dinner time. Then the next morning you can take the hotel shuttle, if available, or a taxi, to the terminal. If you stay at the Malpensa Sheraton, you can even simply walk to the terminal across the hotel (the Sheraton hotel is above the underground Malpensa T1 train station).

Thank you Roberto. Your suggestion makes complete sense. From Varenna do you suggest taking the train to Milan Central & the Leonardo Express to the airport? Or is there another option?