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Milan to Bellagio

I am finding mixed information about getting from Milan to Bellagio. I'm travelling in June and will arrive at Linate airport about 1300 on a saturday. I presume i will head to Milan Centrale Station (correct me if i'm wrong)?

From centrale it looks like there are 2 ways to get there 1. via train to Varenna, then ferry to Bellagio. or 2. via train to Como, then bus to Bellagio (i have established that bus is better than ferry).

I have read mixed comments about which is best or fastest or easiest etc. Someone even said 'dont go via Varenna!!' - but they didnt say why.
Also should i buy the train ticket in advance or when i arrive on the day? is there a chance i may not get on if i dont buy a ticket ahead of time? will the prices increase if i buy on the day?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Llyris

Posted by
703 posts

we have driven from milan to bellagio a few years ago and milan to varrena last year( stayed in both Bellagio and Varrena on 2 separate trips) while I have not been to como, I can only imagine it would take a while in a bus or ferry ( being at the end of the lake) whereas the train goes to varrena and then a short ferry ride across to bellagio. so not sure why someone would say it was not a good idea? other than walking from the train station to the ferry wharf?
arriving in bellagio by ferry is a nice option.
how long are you going for? have you considered visiting villa balbianello and the other gardens/villas around the lake?

Posted by
16537 posts

...whereas the train goes to varrena and then a short ferry ride
across to bellagio

We've taken the train to Varenna (from Bergamo) and the ferry to Bellagio from there, and would choose that over a bus from Como any day, given the time difference. Yes, you have to walk down to the pier from the train station but unless you have mobility issues or too much luggage, that's not a big deal, IMHO. Trains from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino will be regionales (no reserved seats) so just buy your ticket in Milan.

Varenna and Bellagio are very pretty from the water!