Milan to Menaggio

What do you mean by “best”?

Menaggio is very close to George Clooney’s villa. He goes by helicopter. That is the “best” way for him.

I can’t afford a helicopter so when I did go from Malpensa to Menaggio I drove a car I rented at the airport. That was the best way for me.

Which Milan airport? There are 3.

The best way is always a private driver waiting for you at the arrivals even if your flight is delayed.

Of course it's the best way if one can afford it. Otherwise there is a train station called Varenna-Esino that's only 4 kms away from Menaggio.

Ok maybe I should not have said best ;) So I will restate my question.... What are ways to get from Milan airport to Menaggio. I am trying to choose what what be the best way for me. Thanks !

Hello crystal.luna.us,

You could take a train from Milan to Varenna (about 1 hour) and then the ferry across the lake to Menaggio.
Without a car you're probably looking at the ferry or the bus - train Milan to Como and the bus to Menaggio.

Personally I'd take the ferry option. The ferry stop is just down the hill from the train station in Varrena and you're probably going to be taking the midlake ferry to get around anyway so why not get started on it?

[Updated] From the airport the train to Como is something you can take without having to train into Milan. I would definitely investigate taking the train from Malpensa to Como and then examine your options from there. Varenna only makes sense if you are in Milan city rather than airport.

My $.02,
=Tod

There are several options. You choose your best.
1. Rent a car at the airport. Drive to Menaggio (less than 1.5 hours). If you choose this option be aware the freeway is a toll freeway that you will pay online on the website, so keep track of the name of the freeway entrance and the exit.
2. Hire a private limo driver (most convenient and most expensive option)
3. Take a train to Varenna-Esino (Change at Milano Centrale). The train ride is about 2.5 hours (depending on connection times. Once at Varenna walk down to the Ferry dock (maybe 10 min slightly downhill walk) then a short ferry ride across the lake to Menaggio.
4. Take a train from MALPENSA AEROPORTO to COMO LAGO station. You will change trains at SARONNO. Total train travel time is 1h18 min. Once at come Lago station 🚉 these are the 2 options:
a. Take a ferry to Menaggio from the ferry dock (short walk from the Como Lago station). The ferry time varies from less than one hour to 2.5 hours depending on whether you take a fast ferry or a slow multiple stop ferry. The fast ferries are only few a day. Either one should allow some relaxing ride with views of the most beautiful branch of the lake (the Como branch).
b. Take a bus to Menaggio from the bus station located almost across the street from the Como Lago train station. Buses are frequent and the bus ride to Menaggio (Piazza Roma) is about 70 minutes.

Train schedules and prices
www.trenitalia.com

Bus schedules and prices (Como to Menaggio bus is number C10)
https://www.asfautolinee.it/it/orari-rete-extraurbana

Ferry schedules and prices.
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/biglietti-e-orari-lago-di-como/