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Flying into Zurich or Milan (final destination Lake Como/Varenna)

Posted by (Newton, MA, USA) on

Hello - I've been watching flights for several months now and the flights for May into Milan and Zurich have been similar out of Boston. My options are the following:

1) Flying into Milan (non Direct) through Munich or Frankfurt on Luftansa or London via BA) getting us into Milan btwn 2-3pm, would need to get a shuttle to Milano Centrale and catch the train (one per hourish) to Varenna. Based on my estimates this gets us in no earlier than 6:30pm. Regardless of the flight to Europe we are flying back to Boston out of Zurich.

2) Flying into Zurich direct round trip both directions gets us into Zurich at 11am. We could take the train from the airport to downtown Zurich and on to Como and depending on the train time either take a ferry or train to Varenna OR to Milano Centrale and onto Varenna. Depending on the time we get on the train this would get us into Varenna around 6:30pm as well.

3) Same as above but instead stay one night in downtown Zurich (since we have to go there anyway) and take a train to Como in morning and ferry to Varenna.

So, the Zurich round trip is defintely cheaper and it's direct both ways which is a plus. The way we are seeing it is that either we spend the afternoon taking a train through the Swiss Alps OR spend the afternoon navigating Milan airport to the shuttle to the train to another train.

Thoughts on the options? Thank you!

Posted by
32198 posts

Ali,

My preference would likely be Option #2, as I usually like to take direct flights whenever possible. However this will probably depend to some extent on how well you can tolerate a 5 hour+ train ride after a long international flight? I've done that in the past, as I prefer to get to my first destination right away. I would use that method in this case, rather than lose one night of the trip in Zurich.

It will take you some time to collect your baggage and clear Passport control but if the flight is on time you MAY be able to connect with a train that departs Zurich Airport at 12:47 (two changes - Zurich HBF and Milano Centrale), arriving Varenna Esino at 18:23 (reservations compulsory on the leg from Zurich to Milan). If it's at all possible, that's the one I would use. Note that the train usually only stops in Varenna for about a minute, so be ready to disembark! Depending on which Hotel you choose in Varenna, you should be able to walk from the station (but of course, pack light!).

If your Hotel in Varenna is aware that you'll be a "late arrival" there shouldn't be a problem. In those circumstances I'd drop the luggage and get settled in the room, perhaps a light dinner, a quick "walkabout" and then retire early.

Happy travels!

Posted by
289 posts

Thanks Ken!

I am okay with the long train ride...if I have to do one that long I'd prefer it on this route anyway since it’s traveling through the alps.

I looked at train schedules and that 12:47 is the ideal train. If we plan well and just focus and get ourselves through passport control and get our baggage as quick as possible we should be fine. We have a Eurail pass for 4 but I will likely purchase the reservation for the Zurich to Milan ahead of time to save time (it’s worth the $40 or so that the reservation will cost). The reservation is exchangeable and I can apply towards a different reservation if needed (from what I have read).

If we don't get that one we could get the 1:47 to Como and take the hydrofoil to Varenna if we need to since it looks like the last boat is 7:10pm (worst case scenario we could call a car to drive us the rest of the way and have that # handy from our hotel). I don't want to take the 2 hour train from Como to Varenna if we can avoid it.

We each have a 22” rolling backpack so we’ll all be packed relatively “light”. We’re staying at Albergo Milano at Casa Rossa. I read about a place in town that has “bar food” and light fare so that could be a possibility for a late arrival.

Posted by
800 posts

Ali - I like 2 or 3 basically because of the non-stop flight. We were in Zurich in March and I thought it was a very nice town for a short stay - would be even better in May. Depending on your return flight, I'd rather stay in Zurich upon landing and then plan to stay somewhere else close enough to the airport to make your departure. Otherwise I'd pick option 2 knowing that you'll probably be dozing all the way on the train.

Posted by
32198 posts

Ali,

It looks like you're getting the arrangements nicely sorted. If you do end up travelling to Varenna by train it should be easy enough to walk to Albergo Milano. You'll likely be quite tired at that point, but at least you can look forward to a good nights' sleep and wake up to a new day in Varenna!

One other point - are you required to buy suppers at your Hotel (half board)? I was going to suggest that you plan at least one meal at Albergo Olivedo. Laura's Ravioli is incredible! Hopefully she still offers that on the Menu?

Cheers!

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