Hello. Newbie to International travel. Need tips on getting from MXP to Varenna to meet up with the Best of Italy 17 day tour group in mid September 2022.
RS Italy book covers this and I believe your tour info will as well but it is
Malpensa Shuttle Express to Milano Centrale then a regional train to Varenna
No need to purchase either in advance
https://www.malpensashuttle.it/en/index.html
https://www.trenitalia.com/content/tcom/en.html
From MXP (Malpensa Aeroporto), you can take the "Malpensa Express" train from the terminal (it serves both terminals) to Milano Centrale (NOT Milano Cadorna). You change trains at Milano Centrale and take the next train with destination "Tirano", getting off at Varenna-Esino.
I am 99% sure that you can buy a ticket for the complete route at the train station in Malpensa Airport but somebody will probably confirm.
Get the Trenitalia app, tickets after retrieving your luggage. Malpensa Aeroporto to Varenna. Changing trains use the train number locate the departure platform [binario].