We are flying into Milan from Sicily on the last leg of our journey to Italy. Although we arrive in MIan late afternoon, just wondering if anyone had thoughts about taking a train for the evening to Lake Como? We will have spent 2 days in Milan previously (days 1 and 2 of our trip) and our flight does not leave MXP until 4pm the following day. So, we might have time to spend the evening out of the city. Would this be worth the effort since we will have only a few evening hours to spend at Lake Como? Thanks!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
By "Lake Como" do you mean the town of Lake Como, or do you mean the lakeside towns of Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, etc that are further north on the lake?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34349 posts
or do you mean a boat on the lake?
Posted by
OP
22 posts
I was thinking about one of the towns that would be easy to get to by train. I haven't done much research about this as it is a last minute idea. We leave in 2 days and one of the travelers in our party thought we might do this, time permitting. So, just trying to get opinions. If were were to go to one of the towns...suggestions on which?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34349 posts
Now that I realize that you are talking about this week and next, I wonder when "late afternoon" and "evening" are.
The boats on the lake finish around 1800 (6pm) see http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/c_illago.html so it is unlikely that you will do that.
You could take a train to Como and walk around the shore. Milano - Como about an hour each way.
You could take a train to Varenna and walk around the steep cobbled village and along the walkway between the Station and the village centre. Warning: very steep, cobblestones and lots of stairs. Milano - Varenna about an hour each way.
You can't get to Bellagio because you'd need a boat from Como or a boat from Varenna and they will have finished for the day.The last boat from Varenna to Bellagio is about 20:00 but it takes over an hour because it stops half an hour in Menaggio, too short to do anything.
The last suitable boat from Bellagio back to Varenna to catch the train back to Milano is either at 1945 or better at 1930 on the car ferry.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
If your flight is not until late in the afternoon the next day, can you change your hotel and maybe stay in Varenna overnight. Enjoy the town, no rush to be back on the train until the next monrning.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
To visit and stay in Varenna, plan on one hour from Malpensa to Milano Central station and one hour from there to Varenna by train, plus some connection time, each way. The Milan-Varenna trains run almost hourly; see www.trenitalia.com or www.trenord.it. Como town is quite pleasant, but not our favorite on the lake; trains from Milano Centrale to Como also run hourly and take 35 minutes (not on the same line as Varenna).
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thank you all for your input! Very helpful! So thankful for this forum...has been a lifesaver for this first time traveler.