Need advise from anyone who has done this! Rick lists 2 options for leaving Varenna to get to Malpensa Airport. Which would be better?..... Catch train from Varenna to Milano Centrale. Then Metro Yellow line #3 to the Duomo, transfer to Metro Red line #1 to Cadorna Station. Then purchase train ticket to Malpensa Airport. Or... Take the boat from Varenna to Menaggio. Purchase bus ticket to Malpensa. As far as the 2nd option, I have no idea of the schedules for the boat or bus. The 1st option is more complicated, but I have the exact times & schedules.
We have an 11am flight that day. So time will be of the essence.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32367 posts
Ray, I'm not sure I agree with the two options you've listed. It seems like the advice is based on somewhat "dated" information. The first option using the Metro is especially odd. My suggestion would be one of these two options: > Travel by train to Milano Centrale (1H:03M), and then take the Malpensa Shuttle (Bus) to the airport (~50M). > Travel by train to Milano Centrale and then transfer to the airport train (~40M). The total trip will be 2H:01M, and current second class fare is €18.75 (that's for a departure leaving Varenna at 07:37, arriving Malpensa at 09:38 - later trips are €12.75 - all fares subject to change). There's no need to use Cadorna station unless you happen to be staying in that area. The boat would be longer and more problematic (IMO), especially as your flight departs at 11:00. Happy travels!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
As always, Ken is spot on. This question is also covered in the RS Italy book. You might want to go ahead and get a copy. Rick really excels at these "What's the best way to ___" kinds of questions. Believe me, you'll have more questions like this. Happy travels.
Posted by
OP
Saint Helens, OR, USA
304 posts
Thanks Ken - I really appreciate it. I do have a copy of Rick's "Italy 2011" and wouldn't even consider planning my next trip without it. Looking at the page under 'Milan Connections' I see I overlooked the part about the Malpensa Shuttle.
Thanks for pointing it out. I wasn't stoned, but I missed it.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17564 posts
The Trenitalia website will show you both options Ken mentiond (train to Milano Centrale and Express bus from there, or train to Milano Centrale and train from there.) The earliest train-train connection has you arrive at the airport at 9:38. If you are not comfortable with that for your 11 am flight, you can take an earlier train from Varenna (5:36 or 6:39) and arrive at the airport earlier (8:13 or 9:13 respectively).
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
Hi Ray. We had a 10:30 am flight out of Malpensa & decided to use a shuttle service from Varenna to the airport. It wasn't cheap...I think it was around 100 euros total for my husband & I but by the end of the trip, we were DONE schlepping luggage up & down stair cases at the train stations and on/off of trains, changing trains, etc. We were pretty exhausted by the end of the trip and had the euros to spare so we deemed it well worthwhile to take the shuttle bus. We booked it at the travel agency in Varenna. Because time was critical and we had to get up sooo early on our last day, we also didn't want to risk not making a connecting train on time, etc. The shuttle picked us up in the main piazza in Varenna and dropped us off directly at our terminal. It was stress-free & worth the $. Have a great trip.
Posted by
Trenton, NJ, United States
33 posts
Have you considered leaving Varenna sometime late in the day on the day before your departure and staying in Milan or even at the airport? With an 11:00 am flight, it would make for a less stressful morning.
Posted by
OP
Saint Helens, OR, USA
304 posts
We have stayed at Malpensa before. At a pretty good place called Hotel Cervo. It was very convenient. However on the night before we leave Lago di Como there is a big celebration in the city of Como, Sangra de San Giovanni, with fireworks etc. I think it may be worth hanging around. Taking an educated gamble.