travel from Lake Orta to Stressa on Lake Maggiore

Probably take the morning regional train from Orte-Miasino to Domodossola, then change to a train to Stresa. Reserve a seat on the bus from Stresa direct to Malpensa.

The easiest is a taxi which according to rome2rio.com will cost between $60-$75. Or you can take a bus for around $15/per person or the train which requires a transfer and costs about $10 per person.

What's your hotel budget for Stresa? I've stayed at the Hotel la Palma and the Hotel Flora. La Palma is I think a 4 star, Flora maybe a 3+. La Palma is more centrally located with a lake-side pool. Flora is a short walk from the center of things with a pool but not on the lake.

Hi Linda,

What is the easiest way to get between the two lakes and later the best way to get from Lake Maggiore to the Malpensa airport? Our flight out leaves at 11:00 AM.

I traveled this route in reverse (Malpensa Airport to Baveno [just North of Stresa] then took a day trip to Lake Orta & back to Stresa) some years back.

There used to be a bus from Stresa to Orta but I can only find the 2023 schedule now.
Anyway, this bus only runs from June to early September. Since my visit was in late September, I took the train instead.

I must warn you, if you take the train, make sure the connection is in Domodossola and NOT in Cuzzago which is a tiny (unmanned) station in the middle of a deserted area overgrown with bushes and trees and you’ll have to walk across the train tracks to get to the other station to take the train from Cuzzago to Stresa.
You can read about my experience here

After visiting Lake Orta, I decided to take a taxi back to Stresa and not deal with the connection in Cuzzago! I paid €50 but this was in 2017.

Here’s the information for the Alibus that travels to/from Stresa to/from Malpensa. Make sure you reserve in advance.

Since you’ll need to be at the airport at least 2-3 hours before departure, I’d suggest you consider staying at a hotel at the airport the night before your flight.

By the way, when is your trip?

Edited to add:
I almost forgot…
It’s a bit of a walk from the Orta-Miasino station to the historic center of Orta San Giulio- check google maps for detailed information.

Hi Linda — what’s the date of your Village Italy trip? We’ve made plans to travel to Stresa at the end of our tour, and if by some chance we happen to be on the same tour we could share a cab and split the cost!

To maximize your time, get your hotel to arrange a taxi from Lago Orta to Stresa. I’ve been going to Stresa since the time when we had to find an Internet cafe to send emails (would you call that the dark ages?!). I don’t stay in the larger hotels because I like to walk along the lovely brick promenade hugging the lake and walk into the center. I usually stay at Hotel La Fontina, a family run establishment - nothing fancy, but comfortable. Last year I was still recovering from an illness so I stayed in the center at Hotel Ristorante Fiorentino (which has a nice outdoor space). Rooms are modest but you can’t beat the location. Both places breakfast is usually included in the price.
Enjoy!

Oops— I just saw that you plan to spend a second night at Lake Orta when the tour is over. We’ll head to Stresa right after breakfast the final tour day.
Based on recommendations here, I plan to make reservations on the bus to Malpensa. We have an early flight, so will go to the airport the evening before and stay at one of the hotels near the airport (Moxy). Not the most delightful final night but I suspect we’ll be glad to be close to the airport in the morning.

I’ve stayed at the budget Hotel Boston in Stresa and a couple of times at Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac. But, my favorite one if you really want to create a special memory is on the tiny Isola Bella where the formal Italian garden & Borromeo villa are located. It is Boutique Hotel Elvezia. Such a lovely experience and a nice restaurant, too! Be sure to reserve a room with the balcony view of the lake. The first time I stayed there, I reserved the extra special corner room. Just take the public ferry out to it - about 5 minutes.

We’re up in the air about spending one more night in Lake Orta but wanted to just relax a day although maybe not much more to see. Thought going to Lake Maggiore might be fun as we’ve been to Como and Varenna before. Our flight home is on May 15 at 11:00 so would have to get an early cab to Malpensa or go the night before.

I grew up near Watertown New York and went to college in Cazenovia and Syracuse. Noticed you were from Ithaca.

I must warn you, if you take the train, make sure the connection is in
Domodossola and NOT in Cuzzago which is a tiny (unmanned) station in
the middle of a deserted area overgrown with bushes and trees and
you’ll have to walk across the train tracks to get to the other
station to take the train from Cuzzago to Stresa.

I don't think you should go via Domodossola, as that doubles the distance you are travelling. Just change at the next station Premosello.

This weird situation exists because there are two railways in the valley up to Domodossola, which at times run close, and at other times don't...