MXP to Lake Como

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May 2, 2014 | 5:52 pm
  #1  
Was wondering if there is a place I could drive to near MXP that I can then take a train to the Lake Como area. Arriving late at night and staying near the airport the first night. I don't want to have to go all the way into Milan center to take a train.
If I have to drive how is the road and parking.
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May 2, 2014 | 6:48 pm
  #2  
30 mins on MXP express to Cadorna where there are trains to Como every hour. Www.trenord.it has a route finder.
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May 2, 2014 | 11:43 pm
  #3  
Quote: Was wondering if there is a place I could drive to near MXP that I can then take a train to the Lake Como area. Arriving late at night and staying near the airport the first night. I don't want to have to go all the way into Milan center to take a train.
If I have to drive how is the road and parking.
In another thread I have already answered the question how long it takes to go to Como by car. From Terminal 1 these is a comfortable connecting road to the autostrada. And the autostrada brings you easily to Como. You can also exit the autostrada earlier, park near a Station on the trainroad Milano - Como and take the train.

BTW: Why do you even think about renting a car at the Malpensa Airport when you want to stay at the Lago di Como instead of taking the train Malpensa - Milano Cadorna - Como and back Como - Milano Centrale and rent the car there? Have you ever driven a car in italy? Do you know what ZTL means? Do you know where you can park and where not ( yellow line, blue line etc. )? And last but not least do you speak italian?
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May 2, 2014 | 11:53 pm
  #4  
Quote: I
BTW: Why do you even think about renting a car at the Malpensa Airport when you want to stay at the Lago di Como instead of taking the train Malpensa - Milano Cadorna - Como and back Como - Milano Centrale and rent the car there? Have you ever driven a car in italy? Do you know what ZTL means? Do you know where you can park and where not ( yellow line, blue line etc. )? And last but not least do you speak italian?
Wow. I am sure you meant to be helpful, but why would you assume that one could not figure out the basics of driving in Italy?

While it is not rocket science, when in Northern Italy, one needs to be alert to drivers in Ferraris and Lamborghinis believing that they are driving rockets.

To the OP: If you are heading to Bellagio by car, get a good sleep before navigating that road.
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May 3, 2014 | 12:09 am
  #5  
Quote: Wow. I am sure you meant to be helpful, but why would you assume that one could not figure out the basics of driving in Italy?

While it is not rocket science, when in Northern Italy, one needs to be alert to drivers in Ferraris and Lamborghinis believing that they are driving rockets.

To the OP: If you are heading to Bellagio by car, get a good sleep before navigating that road.
May be because I have seen his questions through the threads...
And I know the Lombardia very well...
Malpensa: ZTC
Milano: ZTL
Como: ZTL
Autostrada: Toll ( Malpensa - Como: 2,20 € )

In case of passing ZTL at the wrong time or without permission: nice surprises, same for beeing to long in the ZTC.
Same for parking at the wrong places...

Don't forget we are talking about a rented car...
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May 3, 2014 | 12:29 am
  #6  
Quote: May be because I have seen his questions through the threads...
And I know the Lombardia very well...
...
I take my first comment back. Sorry.
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May 3, 2014 | 1:27 am
  #7  
It's been some years, but I took a bus from outside the terminal to Como. I then took another bus to the village on the lake where I was staying. The next day, I took a ferry to Bellagio. When I was ready to return, I took a ferry across the lake, then caught the train to Como and on to the heart of Milan.

This site gives the bus number.
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May 3, 2014 | 1:56 am
  #8  
Quote: It's been some years, but I took a bus from outside the terminal to Como. I then took another bus to the village on the lake where I was staying. The next day, I took a ferry to Bellagio. When I was ready to return, I took a ferry across the lake, then caught the train to Como and on to the heart of Milan.

This site gives the bus number.
Sorry but I don't think this bus is still running. It is not listed anymore.

http://www.milanomalpensa-airport.co...rking/by-coach

http://www.comune.como.it/citta/cono...come-arrivare/
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May 3, 2014 | 3:48 am
  #9  
I personally wouldn't take a car. Depending on your needs, I'd pick it up after you've visited the lake. A car can be a real headache in that region.
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May 3, 2014 | 5:04 am
  #10  
Would it not be quicker to change trains at Saronno, than to head into Milan (about 1h20 in all)? Perhaps grab some amaretti on the way through.... Schedules all on trenord.it.
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May 3, 2014 | 6:20 am
  #11  
Quote: Would it not be quicker to change trains at Saronno, than to head into Milan (about 1h20 in all)? Perhaps grab some amaretti on the way through.... Schedules all on trenord.it.
Sure and I would also think about Amaretto di Saronno and Amaretti di Saronno
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May 3, 2014 | 9:57 am
  #12  
Quote: Sorry but I don't think this bus is still running.
Thanks for the update. It's a shame, as it was such an easy way to come off a plane and go easily to Lake Como.
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May 3, 2014 | 10:12 am
  #13  
Quote: Thanks for the update. It's a shame, as it was such an easy way to come off a plane and go easily to Lake Como.
The only bus stop near would be Chiasso and this is in Switzerland. Directly behind the border. So you would have to pass the customs two times...
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May 17, 2014 | 12:36 am
  #14  
Apologies if this advice is slightly less useful but I have done the trip in reverse.

I left Bellagio on a 7am fast ferry to Como and caught a train from there to Saronno and then connected with a MXP Airport Train to MXP.

My Italian is not good but it's just a matter of doing a bit of research and orienting yourself with the stations just before the station before you get off. I would imagine that Saronno being a fairly major stop where a lot of people connect would be fairly clearly announced.

The added benefit of this route is that if you want to take a ferry to your final Lake Como destination, the Saronno to Como train ends up at Lago Nord station which is about 300 yards from the ferry terminal. To get to Como, I came from Zurich on the train which deposited me at the station on the south side and uphill from central Como. Getting to the ferry terminal was a little bit more involved but I digress...

There may be a better way depending on where you are going on Lake Como but for Bellagio, I found that a relatively pain free way. Mind you, I had my preferred timings and then back-ups if I missed a train etc - turned out that I ended up at MXP a bit too early for check-in but particularly on a Saturday morning, services were less frequent and missing connections could mean serious flow-on delays.

Driving around Lake Como looks great but I think there's a lot to be said about getting into the spirit of Lake Como and relying on the ferries. It's part of the charm and laid-back relaxed atmosphere.
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May 17, 2014 | 7:17 am
  #15  
I'd reiterate agreement with Forstbetrieb, that unless there is something not revealed in this itinerary a car will be a major headache. If arriving late and needing to stay near the airport nothing comes close to the convenience of the MXP Sheraton. It's attached to the airport building, and you can be in bed 15 minutes after exiting passport control. All other hotels require you to get euros or go to the tobacco store and buy a phone card, call the hotel, explain where you are, and then wait 20-30 minutes for their shuttle. If you don't know how to use pay phones in Italy, you'll have to stop passersby for help.

From MXP to Lago di Como is easy. The Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale is right there at the Sheraton. Como, one of the cities that ring Lake Como is somewhat unsightly, touristy, nothing special, and in my opinion, is best avoided. Instead, consider that from Milano Centrale you can take the regional train to Varenna. It leaves frequently, and only costs about 6-7E. I agree with JClasstraveller, the best way to get around Lago di Como is by ferry, not by car.

Getting off the train at Varenna you will be 1-2 blocks from the water and a ferry station. You can take a ferry to anywhere you want to go. For example, Bellagio is 5 minutes away by ferry. You can take the ferry across the lake to Cernobbio, Menaggio, etc. Great, fantastic ferry rides, with scenery galore. In my opinion the two cities to avoid on Lake Como are the two at the tips of the inverted Y of the lake; Como and Lecco. No reason to go to either one except for passing curiosity.

Having a car could turn a trip to Lake Como into a real pain. After visiting Lake Como you can go back to Milano and rent a car for the rest of your itinerary if you think it is still a good idea (it's probably not).
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