Milan airpot arrival : MXP or LIN ?

Linate is relatively close to the city center, but public transportation is not so good. You have the choice between an urban bus going nowhere close the Centrale station, minibus shuttles to Centrale or taxis. A taxi run to Centrale should be about twenty minutes long.

Malpensa is really distant from the city, so a taxi run is very expensive and may be one hour long. But MXP it has a train connection to Centrale. Actually, the airport is closer to the lake than to the city, so it is possible to take a train a to Saronno and switch to a local train to Como Lago, right in the centre of Como and quite close to the ferry pier to Bellagio.

But if you are heading to the east shore of the lake (Varenna), you have to backtrack anyway to Milano Centrale.

Linate is on average 30 min closer.
Why is it that everybody in this forum wants to go with lake Como? What about lake Maggiore, which is much closer to Malpensa?

I guess everyone reads Rick's guide book. To get to Stresa on Maggiore, take the shuttle bus from MXP to Gallarate station then a short train ride to Stresa.

Judy,

To provide the best answer, it would help to know where on Lago di Como you'll be staying.

Thanks all to the answers. I booked the flight in to LIN and plan to take a taxi to train station.

I have no plans yet for where we will be staying, but according to Rick, Varenna is a good place so we will book a hotel there ( any recommendations). We will be there only 2 nights in March.

As for why we want to go to Lake Como , we live on Lake Chelan in Washington State which many people have compared to Lake Como, so we want to see for ourselves!

Judy,

Varenna would be a great choice on Lago di Como (IMO). It's a smaller town but a wonderful place to just relax and perhaps take a few day trips to other points on the lake.

From Milano Centrale the trip to Varenna is 1H:03M via Regionale train. Just buy your tickets when you arrive at Milano Centrale, either from a Kiosk or the staffed ticket office (which is two floors below track level, and often has a long queue). DON'T forget to validate your tickets prior to boarding the train, or you'll risk a hefty fine, which will be collected on the spot! I'd also suggest buying your ticket for the return journey, as there's no ticket office in Varenna (although you could use the helpful Tivano Tours office, which is just below the station).

One point to mention - you may not see "Varenna" listed as the destination when you check the electronic board. That train is on the same line as Sondrio and Tirano, so one of those may be listed. You can check the large "Partenze" charts to confirm which train you're using.

I'd suggest sitting on the left (when facing forward) as you'll get views of the lake as you approach. You'll go through a tunnel just prior to arrival in Varenna. Be prepared to disembark promptly as the train only stops for a short time. There may or may not be a Taxi waiting at the station, but it's an easy walk to most hotels so I never bother with Taxi's there.

There are good hotel listings in the guidebook, but a few you could consider, depending on budget.....

• Albergo Milano (a big favourite with many here)
• Albergo Olivedo (an older hotel close to the Ferry dock)
• Hotel Villa Cipressi (right in the main piazza near the church)
• Hotel Royal Victoria (also in the main piazza)
• Hotel Eremo Gaudio (on the hill above town so not right in the centre, but incredible views!)

It will likely be cooler and somewhat "quiet" in March, but hopefully you'll get some good weather.

Judy,

" We will be there only 2 nights in March."

When in March are you planning to travel to Lake Como?

Be aware that many accommodations, especially the family owned ones, may be closed til mid-March.

We stayed at Albergo Milano-- actually in one of their apartments "Casa Gialla", & enjoyed our stay there very much.