Varenna to Malpensa Airport - Driver, Rental Car or Train?

In your situation why not just stay at Malpensa airport hotel night bef your flight?
Then you could take the train to Milan then airporter to an airport hotel, the day bef.
I have done the Varenna to Malpensa early am , way too hectic imo.

It would help to have some idea of what time your flight departs. A few thoughts.....

Travel by train will be the cheapest option. I'm not able to check the schedules at the moment but I believe there are departures starting at about 05:00.

Using a private car service is certainly an option. I'd highly recommend booking that well in advance! One that you could try is http://www.italianlimousinenetwork.com/ (As I recall, they're located in the Milan area). In my experience they've been exceptionally reliable and punctual.

Specifically what time is "early am"? At Malpensa you should be at the airport 3 hours before departure.

By train the earliest you can depart from Varenna-Esino is 5:37am. That will allow you an arrival at MXP T1 at 7:46am.
I don't know how early your flight is, but if you are flying within the EU, 75 min at the check in counter prior to departure are sufficient. So if your flight is after 9:30/9:45 am and you are first flying within Europe, you can probably do it.
If you fly to the US, you need to be there at the check in 2 to 2.5 hours prior to departure. Those flights tend to depart later in the morning, so if the flight departs after 10:00 or 10:15am it's doable also if you fly to the US.

If your flight is before the timeframes specified above, then a car is the only option. You still need 2 hours, once you take into consideration refueling and car return for a rental. If you hire a car with driver, you don't need to refuel/return the car, therefore 90 min drive should be sufficient so early in the morning with limited traffic.

Be aware that after 7:30 am traffic may be heavy heading to Milan.

We have used the highly reliable David Guerrera who is located in the city of Como. www.davideguerrera.com. davide@ davideguerrera.com However, even using Davide we have always stayed at Malpensa the night before a flight such as yours. Reduce the stress, hire Davide the day before and choose a nice hotel near MXP.
Or rent a car, drive the day before your flight to Ranco a pretty village on SE coast of Lake Maggiore, relax. Have a good dinner and in the moening it's an easy drive to MXP to drop off car, check in for flight.

Wow - you guys are great - thank you for your advice.
Unfortunately my schedule is tight and I can not change my booked accommodation at this stage, or add a night near the airport.
I will modify my flight plans though - to a midday flight - its to paris.
So that will either give me more time to get to the airport in the morning.
If by car - I can leave a little latter in the the morning (8:30am) and get there around 10am. - 2hrs prior to check in to be safe.
Thanks again - really appreciate your time and comments.
Simone

Take the 7:37 train to Milano Centrale and switch to the Malpensa Express train to the airport (T1 or T2?) arriving at 9:52. Price for 2 adults and 2 children is 59.20 EUR. The Malpensa Express goes from the tracks all the way to the left as you are getting off the train from Varenna and walking toward the terminal. 17 minutes is plenty of time. But if you do this, buy tickets in advance that will be prevalidated.

There are no rentals in Varenna, and you'd need to get a car in Lecco the day before. Not sure it's worth it at that point. with a Midday departure the train can work.

Sam - you're a champion.
train sounds great and doable
Thanks so much :)

Assumptions, kids are 4 to 11, 12 and up pay adult price on Italian regional trains.