Milan - Lake Como - Rome

The train from Milan to Varenna is a regional train, and the ticket prices do not vary, so you should just get that ticket after you arrive in Italy.

For Milan to Rome, you can save substantial money by buying the ticket as soon as you are absolutely sure of the date and time you want. Tickets are currently on sale for travel through June 24. You can probably snag a one-way fare under 50 euros, but don't dilly-dally if you're traveling on a weekend, because there aren't as many good options then.

By comparison, I see fares as high as 91 euros for Monday, February 27.

Sale is always great.. Will do book my train ticket!

Does the time allocated for the itinerary seem reasonable?

"Does the time allocated for the itinerary seem reasonable?"

Yes and no. Of course, it's not enough time to see Rome. But if that's all the time you have, and you want to see these three places, it's pretty good. Others will say that with such a short time, you should just see one place. But it's your trip.

I'm assuming you're flying to and from the US - is that the case, or will you be somewhere else before and after the trip? If you are doing this from the US, do you know how well you handle jet lag after a trans-Atlantic flight? I know I would be too jet-lagged to do this much going to and from the US in such a short time, but again, this isn't my trip.

Unless you have a strong reason to visit bellagio, id say just enjoy varenna and skip the ferry rides. Bellagio is crowded and i was underwhelmed

It seems reasonable to me and you seem aware of the time limitations. Have a great trip!

Thanks everyone! I'm flying to Milan after a trip in France. So I should be well adjusted with the jet lag.

Anyone have been to both Lake Annecy and Lake Como? Is one better than the other?

Vansau,

Anyone have been to both Lake Annecy and Lake Como? Is one better than the other?

No, one is not better than the other, they are both beautiful and unique.

There's a different ambience in Annecy vs Varenna.

It's difficult to explain, one just needs to experience them both.

Enjoy your trip!

I agree that Annecy and Como are different. If I have time to go to only one of them, which one would it be?

My first trip to Lake Annecy will be later this year, so this is not a well-informed opinion, but:

When choosing between two places of assumed roughly equal interest, I go to the one that is logistically easiest to reach. Although I enjoy sitting on a train or bus and watching beautiful scenery whiz by, I'd rather be walking around outdoors in that scenery. In terms of travel time, Lake Como is much, much more accessible from Milan, especially if you do not plan to drive.