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Train travel between lakes

I'm planning a trip to Italy the end of May early June for 2.5 weeks. Arrive in Milan at 8:30 a.m. I'm considering the following itinerary: Lake Como 3 days Lake Maggiore 2 days Lake Garde 2 days Cinque Terre 3 days Rented Villa in Umbria with friends for a week Depart from Rome Can all of this be done by train? Is there a preference between Garde or Maggiore? Thanks so much.
Judy

Posted by
19637 posts

Yes. MXP to Stresa, 1 hour bus ride Stresa to Varenna, 2 1/2 hour train with change in Milan Varenna to Peschiara del Garda, 2 1/2 hour train with change in Milan Peschiara to Monterosso, 5 hour train with changes in Milan and Genoa
Assume the Umbrian Villa is near a train station and friends will pick you up and deliver you to the station.

Posted by
1054 posts

I didn't see Stressa in the original message but i saw it in the first reply. If you go directly to lake como which is what I just did a couple weeks ago. Flew into MXP (Milan) and took the Malpensa Express Train from the airport to Milano Centrele (Train Station) for 10 euro and it was about 30 min train ride. Then we purchased a ticket to Varenna at the train station and had a easy train ride with no change of trains to Varenna.

Posted by
19637 posts

Stresa is on Lake Maggiore, thus checking that box off the list. Its easy to get to direct from the airport without back tracking into Milan. And its a nice resort town with things to do, like visit the little islands. And has frequent train service to Milan to continue the excursion.

Posted by
5 posts

Are you saying that to go between these lakes , I,ll need to go back to Milan to get to the next lake.
In Umbria, we are staying in Umbria where there is a train station. Thanks so much for your replies. Ps. We don't mind buses either. Just didn't want to rent a car.

Posted by
19637 posts

Geography is against you here. Due to glaciers that formed the lakes , they run north-south. East-west rail lines aren't very practical as well as there being little traffic to justify the expense. Beside, they are easy to just go around.
Going from Varenna to Peschiera, you could take a route that changes in Lecco, Bergamo, and Rovato but aside from being a triple changer, it takes 4 hours because the trains are locals, travel slower and make more stops. Nonetheless, a bit of research on your part might turn up some bus routes. Train is just easier. 14.05 euro Stresa to Varenna, 16.35 euro Varenna to Peschiera. If you do take the slow way to Peschiera, its only 11.05 euro.

Posted by
5 posts

Thanks for that reply. I'm beginning to think maybe I should just limit this to just two lakes rather than try to get in three.
Do you all think there is enough to do in Lake Como and Lake Maggiore for 3 days in each place? Thanks again. Sorry for the delay in reply - we were traveling. Judy

Posted by
5 posts

Thanks for that reply. I'm beginning to think maybe I should just limit this to just two lakes rather than try to get in three.
Do you all think there is enough to do in Lake Como and Lake Maggiore for 3 days in each place? Thanks again. Sorry for the delay in reply - we were traveling. Judy

Posted by
32517 posts

Do you all think there is enough to do in Lake Como and Lake Maggiore for 3 days in each place? Well I'm not "all" by any means, but my answer is "Yes".

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you for the reply. Now I.ll start looking for rentals in just both those places.