Specific instructions for boarding the right train at Milano Centrale for Varenna.

Denise,
You may buy you Regionale train ticket to Varenna (Varenna-Esino) at the staffed train ticket counter (or automated machine) at the airport, at the same time you buy the 'Malpensa Express' train to Milano Centrale.

You will arrive on track 1 or 2 at Milano Centrale. Once the train stops, follow the crowd & look for the electronic board (binario)to check which track your train heading for Varenna will be on. You will see a crowd of people looking up.

Check train schedules here:http://www.trenitalia.com

This is a photo of the binario at Milano Centrale:http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbell1975/7357900768/

Arrivals (Arrivi) are listed on the left of the board & departures( Partenze) are on the right.

The train from Milano to Varenna takes about 1 hour & 5 minutes.
Sit on the left of the train as it leaves Milan for best views of the lake.

Have a wonderful trip!

Edit: I forgot to mention that the binario may list Tirano (train's final destination) instead of Varenna-Esino.

Make sure it reads 'TIRANO' not 'TORINO'

denise,

Here's the procedure you'll need to follow....

• When you arrive at MXP Terminal 1 and have collected your luggage, go to the airport rail station and buy tickets both for the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale as well as the train to Varenna (the official name is "Varenna-Esino"). You can use either the Kiosks or a staffed ticket office. You'll get two tickets (cards).
• Note that the M.E. has two destinations, Milano Centrale or Milano Cadorna. BE SURE to board the correct train!
• Prior to boarding the M.E., BE SURE to validate your tickets or you'll face hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!
• The trip will be about 52 minutes. As mentioned previously, you'll arrive at Milano Centrale on Tracks (Binari) 1 or 2. These are located in a bit of an "offset" location of the station, so you'll need to walk through to the main part of the station (only a minute or two). Just follow the herd.
• When you reach the main part of the station, look at your ticket to determine the number of the train you'll be taking to Varenna. It will be preceded by an "R" (ie" R-2560). Check the electronic board to determine which track (Binario) that train will be departing from. Note that the Binario number may not be displayed until 20-30 minutes prior to departure.
• You can also check the large paper Partenze charts but don't count on the track number listed on those to be accurate, as these often change. Use the electronic board for the most up-to-date information.
• Important point to note - the electronic board may not show Varenna as the destination, but rather Tirano or another place. Use the train number to locate the track no. you'll need to use.
• Double-check the track and train information using the smaller electronic boards at the foot of each track. If you're not sure that you have the correct train, ask a Conductor or other staff (there will probably be one or two close to the train).
• AGAIN, prior to boarding the train you MUST validate your ticket or face hefty fines!
• The train to Varenna is a Regionale so there's no assigned seating. Sit where ever you can find a seat. It may be crowded initially, but the crowd will thin out as the ride progresses.

THIS video will give you an idea of what to expect. At the 1M:38S mark, it briefly shows one of the large electronic boards. There are smaller individual Arrivi and Partenze boards mounted on pedestals close to the tracks.

The trip to Varenna is "officially" 1H:03M and you'll go through a tunnel just prior to arrival. Be sure to disembark promptly as the train doesn't stop for long! Depending on where you're staying, you should be able to walk to your hotel (the walk will mostly be downhill).

You may want to buy your outgoing ticket from Varenna at the same time, or you can buy at the small *Tivano Tours * office in Varenna.