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Lunch at airport? and dinner in Varenna first night?

Good Morning, We are arriving in Milan at noon on a Monday and will be heading to Varenna as soon as we leave the airport.

Two questions: We think we will need lunch or some meal when we land - are there reasonable choices in Milan airport pre or post customs for a sit down meal?

After we get to Varenna I am sure we will be exhausted. We are staying at Albergo Milano and had originally planned on having dinner there but am since wondering if we might want to save that for another night and just get something a little more low key and casual near the hotel. Any recommendations? Also - we are not seafood eaters - so something more Italian, pizza, etc.

Thank you!

Posted by
1057 posts

Varenna has many lovely low key restaurants along the lakefront. You’ll have no trouble finding somewhere to eat. I agree that it might’ve best to save the dinner at Albergo Milano for another night when you’re not jet lagged.

Posted by
9063 posts

Agreeing with Patricia. Save the very nice hotel restaurant for a night when you are more adjusted. Our appetites were off schedule for a few days. The first evening we were there we just had a quick pizza from one of the waterfront cafes. A nice meal would have been wasted.

Posted by
16189 posts

I don’t know which airline you are flying with, but before starting to descend for landing, they generally serve breakfast on the plane. If your plane is scheduled to land at noon, the plane starts to descend at 11:35. The crew will clean the breakfast trays by 11, so that means that breakfast is served on board at around 10-1030, so you may not be as hungry as you think at Noon.
If I were you, I’d grab a sandwich to go at the airport and quickly run to the airport station across the terminal 1. The reason is that there is a train departing the airport at 1:13 pm which will get you to Varenna before 3:30 (after a change in Milan Centrale). If you miss that train, then the next good option is 2 hours later.

Posted by
32392 posts

I find that I'm usually hungry after arrival, despite the small meal served on the plane before landing. In the same situation, I'd probably collect luggage and then head for the Malpensa Express. You can buy your tickets at the station, either from a Kiosk or staffed ticket office. Note that there are two destinations for the M.E. One train goes to Milano Centrale and the other to Milano Nord Cadorna so be sure you board the correct train. The trip to Centrale will be about 52 minutes. DON'T forget to validate your tickets prior to boarding the train or you'll face hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!

When you arrive at Milano Centrale, there are LOTS of food outlets - https://www.milanocentrale.it/en/store/index/food . If you want a sit-down restaurant rather than fast food, have a look at Roadhouse Grill.

If you'd rather carry on straight to Varenna, the total trip will be 2H:10M. There are departures from the airport at 12:13 and 13:13, and many others. It's not likely you'll be able to connect with the 12:13 departure so 13:13 is more likely. The 13:13 departure has a 15 minute layover at Milano Centrale, so you could buy a Panino or whatever to eat on the train. Be sure you determine the Binario or your train to Varenna before looking for food. You'll likely have a separate ticket for the train to Varenna, and DON'T forget to validate that also before boarding the train.

The trip to Varenna is 1H:03M, and I'd suggest sitting on the left when facing the front of the train. The train arrives at 15:23. The train goes through a tunnel just prior to arrival, and you'll need to be ready to disembark promptly as the train doesn't stop for long. The walk to Albergo Milano is not difficult, although you'll probably be running out of steam at about that time. You can have a "power nap" after checking in, and then decide whether you want to have a fine meal that evening or save that for another night.

Posted by
1404 posts

I would buy something to eat on the train. Much more relaxed than the airport or the station.

Posted by
18 posts

Thank you! Really good tips and information. I appreciate it!