Hoping to fly from Chicago to Lake Como, Italy area in late April 2010. If a flight to Lugano, Switzerland is cheaper than a flight to Milan, is there inexpensive trains or buses to the Lake Como area? If the flights , Lugano vs Milan, are the same price, which would you choose? Thanks!
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
Unless the price difference between Lugano and Milan is significant, I think that Milan would be your best bet!
Posted by
Argegno, Lake Como, Como, Italy
7 posts
Hi there, I live on Lake Como, so can help you here. There are 3 Milan airports - Malpensa (40 mins), Linate (40 Mins) and Milan Bergamo (60-70 mins). They are all accessible by bus from the airport itself to Milano Centrale station and then by train direct to Como San Giovanni station, where you can pick up a bus to anywhere else on the Lake. OR if you fly into Lugano, you can get a bus into Como and then a bus or ferry to your final destination. Lugano is about 40 mins from Como as well. So distance wise there is not much in it. So depends on what flight deals you can get. Good luck and let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Posted by
Freedonia
16283 posts
Of all the airports mentioned, the only one with non-stop flights from the U.S. is Milan's Malpensa (MXP).
Lugano airport is small and almost all flights are on turboprop aircraft.
Milan's Linate has mostly European flights.
Bergamo is further, as stated, and is where you'll find Ryanair.
Posted by
OP
Palos Park, Il, USA
5 posts
Thanks, all of you! Good info. And Beverley--what a wonderful place to live!!!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Joann,
As the others mentioned, you'll probably find that Milano / MXP is your best option due to the availability of flights from the U.S.
When you arrive at MXP, take the Shuttle to Milano Centrale. Check www.malpensashuttle.it/e-default.htm for the prices and details.
When you arrive at Milano Centrale, buy a ticket to whichever town you're going to (is that Varenna?). I've found the ticket machines downstairs adjacent to the ticket office are less crowded than those at track level (two floors down on the moving sidewalk). The machines downstairs accept Euros as well as credit cards as I recall.
If you're going to Varenna, the destination on the ticket will be listed as "Varenna-Esino". The "end destination" on that line is Sondrio, as I recall? Check the printed chart to determine your track no. and then confirm that with the electronic board. I believe there are only second class trains on that route, so you won't have to worry about reservations. HOWEVER, don't forget to validate your ticket!
One last point - watch your luggage in Milano Centrale!
Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Palos Park, Il, USA
5 posts
Thanks, Ken! These tips make travel so much easier. Looks like flying into Milan would be the best. I haven't booked a room on Lake Como yet--You mentioned Verenna--and Rick's book covers it well--would you recommend this village for reasonably price rooms (like $200 US per night or less?) or does anyone have other suggestions for towns or hotels to stay? I'm thinking of 3-4 nights at Lake Como, then possibly 1 night in Milan just to see a couple highlights, then a train to Venice. I'm one of those who LOVE Venice. Maybe 4 nights in Venice, down to Florence for a few nights, and then somehow see some of Tuscany without getting a car. Hopefully fly home from Florence. April is right around the cornor--hope I can pull it altogether! Any and all suggestions welcomed!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
There is also a private rail line, the Malpensa Express, that goes from Malpensa airport right into the harbor area in Como. It also goes to one of the train stations, not the main one, in Milan.
The train line is called LeNord, www.lenord.it/en, and is operated by the FNM Group.
It takes 1h20m to 1h50m to go from Malpensa airport to Como Lago, with a stop in Saronna, and also goes to Codorna Station in Milan in 40 min.