train connecton from Milan airport

Malpensa is 30 miles from Milan. First go to Milan, airport shuttle bus (not train) from MXP to Milan Centrale train station is best. Then buy train tickets from Centrale to Varenna. Most people here think 1st class on Trenitalia is not worth the extra money.

Thanks Kent, Can you purchase tickets ahead of time here in the states, or must we wait till we arrive there? Jeff

Jeff: The Trenitalia website rejects all US credit cards. Period. Not a recent thing, and nothing you can do. Everyone on this forum buys tickets at the station once they get there.

Thanks Kent, as always the information is much appreciated.

Take the Milan shuttle from exit (uscita) #2. You can buy tickets from the driver or at ticket windows inside the terminal. The bus ride is 30 or 40 minutes and will deliver you to the central station. Inside the main station you can buy tickets from a window or a machine. The machines offer 5 or 6 languages and the process is easy. Make sure you use the correct machine. Some are for regional areas and other are for national travel. I suspect Varenna will be a regional destination. I have passed through there many times, but have never stopped.

Buon viaggio,

RB

Jeff,

The others have provided great information. A few points to add.

As you're going to Varenna, using the Malpensa Shuttle is probably the best choice as it will drop you right at Milano Centrale (rather than Cadorna station where the Malpensa Express (train) terminates). As mentioned, you can buy tickets on board from the Driver.

Will you have any Euro cash when you arrive there or just credit cards? You could use the ticket machines at track level, but I've found they are usually very "busy" and will only accept credit cards.

Take the "moving sidewalks" down two floors to the vicinity of the ticket office. The ticket machines there will also accept Euro cash. Note that your ticket will be to Varenna-Esino. You may want to buy your return tickets there also OR you can buy them at the Travel Agency in Varenna. Before boarding the train, DON'T forget to validate!

After buying your tickets, go back to track level and check one of the large printed charts (separate charts for Arrivo and Partenza - you'll need Partenza) for your train and track number. I believe the train to Sondrio is the one you're looking for.

Once you know which train, check the large electronic boards for the track (Binario) number (this can sometimes be different than that printed on the charts). Sometimes the track no. isn't listed until about 30 min. prior to departure.

Especially in Milano Centrale, watch your belongings! It's a busy and chaotic place! Note that if you need to use the WC (one floor down as I recall) you'll need some small change.

Are you on a tour starting in Varenna, or travelling on your own?

Happy travels!

One final comment: all trains from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino are "regionale" ("R") trains which do NOT have advance seat reservations. There is no point in trying to buy advance tickets, since all seats are on a first come first served basis. Board the train a few minutes early to get a good seat. At the Varenna station, it's 10 minute walk downhill to the town. There is usually a taxi waiting for travellers with heavy suitcases, or otherwise in need of transportation.

Here are the train schedules:

www.ferroviedellostato.it

Forgot to mention: Milano to Varenna is a short ride, and first class is totally unnecessary. At the same time, the cost of a first class seat is not much more money for the short trip, so you're not wasting much money by taking first class. Most Varenna trains have one first class railcar.