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Train Milan to Lago San Orta or Varenna to Lago San Orta

Which is easier do you think? Taking a train from Varenna, where we'll be staying for 3 weeks, to Lago San Orta or taking a train from Milan to Lago San Orta? Does Lago San Orta has a train stop, or must we get off before? If so, how do we make the final trip into the town of Lago San Orta?

Posted by
3586 posts

I think you must be referring to Lago d'Orta and Orta San Giulio. This is not a matter of me, an experienced traveler, showing off my knowledge to a newbie. It's really important that you get the names exactly right when trying to look up train schedules. Also, since many Italian towns have names similar to or the same as each other, you have to be correct in order to get useful information. I can't help about trains, because we were there with a car. I can tell you this: the town is very small. If there is a train station, (I don't remember seeing one, but we were there a long time ago.) there won't be a problem getting into town. Orta S. Giulio is a lovely town. We enjoyed it greatly.

Posted by
19653 posts

The station is Orta-Miasino. From Milan, you'll need to change trains at Novara. If coming from Varenna, you will also need to change trains in Milan.

Posted by
15043 posts

Three weeks in Varenna would be too long for me. I'd be bored to death after 3 days. Have you thought of splitting your 3 weeks into more locations, maybe on different lakes? If you like lakes (and you must like them, if you stay 3 weeks in Varenna) have you thought of splitting you stay between Lake Como (Varenna) and Lake Maggiore (Stresa or Intra)? Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta are next to each other and from Lake Maggiore you could reach Orta San Giulio in minutes.

Posted by
16893 posts

www.trenitalia.com will show the connection schedules. (The Milan-Varenna-Tirano line is no longer reflected on some other train schedule web sites, like DB.) Tirano, Switzerland is another possible side trip, 1.5 hours each way from Varenna.