Lake Como Questions

Carole, I'm glad you mentioned the aspect of the tickets. I forgot to comment on that. I was using a Rail Pass so wasn't concerned about tickets, but I did have to arrange a reservation. I purchased the reservation at a small Travel Agency near the bridge, just below the train station (about half way to Albergo Olivedo). I'm assuming it's still there? The young lady working there was very efficient, and spoke excellent English.

I also stayed at Albergo Olivedo and enjoyed it enormously (despite the PA messages that start in the morning for the boats). Laura was a wonderful host! Just thinking about her Ravioli prompted me to get my trip planning book out again!

Cheers!

Sheron, given your travel circumstances, my preference would be to spend two days at Lago di Como and one day in Milan (just prior to your flight home).

It's very easy to reach Lago di Como from Milan, about an hour by train. I'd suggest basing yourself in the small town of Varenna (one of Rick's favourites). From there you can take day trips to Bellagio, Menaggio or other sites on the lake. There's a Biglietteria (ticket booth) directly across from Albergo Olivedo where you can buy tickets for boat trips.

One point though, when you're looking for the station to disembark, it may be listed as Varenna Esino. After an hour on the train, be ready to disembark, as the train only stops for a minute or so. You'll be exiting the train on the lake side.

Happy travels!

Hey, I'm going to plan to do this too! Great suggestion. I'll be in the Como area this Monday from Milan. I'm leaving for Milan in one hour!!
Will post when I return. Ciao!

Hello - we spent 2 days at Lake Como - in Varenna - in September. It was fantastic - we loved the little community there and used the time at the beginning of our 3 week trip to Italy to adjust our internal clocks! We stayed at Hotel Oliveda and found it to be delightful. Laura, the manager was very efficient and helpful. The town and promedade by the lake are incredibly beautiful. The train from Milan is just as Ken has explained it. Once off the train, you just head down the hill into town. When we were there, no one was in the station to sell tickets back to Milan - you'll likely need to buy those at the tobacco shop in town.

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for your suggestions. I was originally thinking of staying in Milan for the 2 nights prior to my departing flight & day-tripping to Lake Como for 1 of these days but now I'm wondering if I should stay in Varenna instead & then make my way back to the airport from Lake Como. My flight leaves at 10:30 in the morning. Do you think this is do-able? Once I take the train from Varenna back to Milan, how far is the airport? Would I need to transfer to another train to get to the airport? Thanks again for your assistance & suggestions.

Sheron: Milan has 2 airports, Linate is close in but Malpensa is 30 miles northwest of the center of Milan. To get to Malpensa requires going back to Milan Centrale station, then connecting to the airport in one of two ways, which Rick explains in detail in his book Italy. Or search here, above right, on Malpensa and you'll find detailed instructions.

Hi Sheron, I would definitely spend one of your nights in Varenna and the complete next day. But I would take the train back to Milan the night before your flight. Stay in a hotel close to the airport and then you don't have to worry about missing your flight. For a 10:30 flight, they will want you there at 7:30 am. This will give you a little time for breakfast in the hotel before you leave. You will love Lake Como!

WE recently spent 3 nights in Cernobbio - at the fantastic Hotel Miralago - a short cab/bus/ferry ride from Como and only 1 night in Milan. We picked up an afternoon tour of MIlan and spent the time in Lake Como. It is so beautiful and the ferry allows you to visit little towns while enjoying the general scenery. We adored the area, including Como itself. The train ride to Milano is under an hour but you always need more time than you think for public transp[ort connections so stay in Miano the night before you leave.

You could take train from Milan to Varenna and spend night then take ferry from Varenna to Como (town)spend night and depending on time of flight ever take spt bus from Como to Malpensa or take train como lago and transfer at Saronno to Malpensa express; This is station by ferries not the state train station on the hill. We did this when there was a strike on trains and worked great.