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train tickets, lake district

Hello,
I have spent a huge amount of time planning a very quick and multi-legged trip that 2 of us will be taking May 19.
We are sneaking in a few days of pleasure onto a work trip.
Arriving in Milan KLM via Amsterdam. Considering having a mid suitcase checked. With this in mind, I am reluctant to prebook train tickets. Destination for the night of May 19 is Bellagio. I know most people like Varenna as a base but I fould accomidations that are very appealing to me just out side Bellagio.

These are my questions:
1. Would a train to Milan Central at 13:13 be impossible to make if our arrival time is 12:05. Know that we will clear customs in Amsterdam and simple go thru the nothing to declare line in Milan.?
2. Is the train to Varenna with a ferry ride to Bellagio easier than a train to Como and either a bus or ferry to Bellagio?
3. Is Bellagio a lot more work legistically? Are there taxis available to take us from ferry dock to our hotel?
4. The second leg of our trip will be to get from the Lake District to Padua. We need to be in Padua by 21:00 May 22. I have not seen any indication that this should be a problem if taking the train from Varenna.

Posted by
11805 posts

We have taken a train to Como and high speed Express ferry to Bellagio. It was an easy walk from train to dock. I would prefer to stay in Bellagio as it offers more options. We always walked up the hill pulling our bags(4 trips.) Ask your hotel if taxis are available.

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you Suki for your reply.
I have been looking at the ferry schedule but getting conflicting information. Do you have a link to the fast ferry you are referring to or is it Navigaione Laght Como?

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you Suki for your reply.
I have been looking at the ferry schedule but getting conflicting information. Do you have a link to the fast ferry you are referring to or is it Navigaione Laght Como?

Posted by
21602 posts

I am reluctant to prebook train tickets.

No need to prebook trains to Como area. They are all unreserved Regionale trains. Buy ticket, validate and board. Easiest would be the Malpensa Express train to Saronno and change to a train to Como Nord Lago. There is a train every half hour at 20 and 50 past the hour and it takes 1 hour and 24 minutes. From Como Nord Lago you can get a ferry or bus to Bellagio.
There are high speed ferries at Como to Bellagio at 2:20, 5:10, 6:10. http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/c_download/2017_P_NLC_Como_Colico.pdf

Trains to Milano Centrale and Varenna will take longer, are not as frequent, and cost more, although the ferry would be cheaper.

To Padua, buy now on line to get a 4:37 pm train from Varenna, getting to Padua at 8:12 pm for 53.20 EUR SuperEconomy, nonrefundable train-specific booking.

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you Sam that is great information. After looking, your suggestion poses another question. I arrive in Terminal 1. It looks that the Malpenda Express to Soronno leaves from Terminal 2. Is it easy to get from Terminal 1 to Terninal 2?

Posted by
5 posts

Hi again Sam. I just checked and it looks as though there is a shuttle every 7 min. Hopefully it is well marked as to the location of said shuttle, just as it is in large US airports. Do you know if its a bus or a tram?

Posted by
21602 posts

Trenitalia is showing a station at Terminal 1, trains leaving at 26 and 56 past the hour. You might possibly make the 12:56 train getting you to Como Nord Lago at 2:14 with 6 minutes to get the 2:20 fast boat. I don't know if that is doable. There is a slow boat at 3:20 pm.