Hi - We want to take the train from Milan to Como and then the slow boat to Varenna. I've been checking train schedules and it asks me which stop in Como I want. Nord Lago, Nord Borghi, Nord Camerlata or S. Giovanni? Also, does the train leave from the central station? I couldn't find the answer in the RS Italy 2010. Maybe I missed it.
Thank you, Kathy
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16273 posts
kathy---those 3 stations starting with "nord" are part of the Le Nord train system, not Trenitalia. It is the company that operates the Malpensa Express. If you are starting at Malpensa, rather than Milan, you can avoid going into Milan altogether as this train system runs north of Milan. Look at the system map:
http://www.lenord.it/en/orari_e_news/ramo_milano.php
and you'll see that you can change at Saronno and go straight to Como, instead of heading into Milan (Cadorna station) and taking the metro from there to Milano Centrale.
The Trenitalia website will show this route if you put in "Malpensa" as the starting point and choose "Nord Lago" when it asks which Como station you want. Or put in Como San Giovanni and it will show the same route with an additional transfer from Lago Nord to Como SG.
I don't know if that transfer is necessary, as it depends which station (Nord Lago or Como SG) is closer to the ferry dock. HOpefully you can figure that out using Google maps or maybe someone else here would know.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Many travelers who want to see Milan, Varenna, and the town of Como do this: train from Milan to Varenna, linger in Varenna; then take regular ferry (not the hydrofoil if you want slow) from Varenna to the town of Como. The ferries usually stop in Bellagio, Menaggio, and other towns on their way to town of Como.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
You are wise to be checking schedules. we did the ferry in reverse on a weekday and I recall wkends have limited schedules across lake como. For specifics on distances you may want to use www.michelin.com or ck Como, Italy tourist info.
Posted by
OP
Concord, CA, USA
17 posts
Thank you for the information. I did go to the Trenitalia site again and used Malpensa. I found a map of the train system and schedules. Currently, our plans are to take the slow boat to Varenna going and returning by train directly into Milan. We want to see the Last Supper before heading to Venice. A prior posting mentioned we could walk to the museum from the train station and then go onto Venice. This is a good site for valuable information.
Ciao, Kathy