Getting there from Malpensa Airport
There’s a lot of info below but don’t be overwhelmed. It’s just there for good measure. You’ll figure it out. And even when something get’s messed up or missed, don’t worry. That usually makes for great stories later. Don’t be afraid to ask other travelers or assistants. Enjoy the journey.
When you land at Malpensa you are going to go through customs “Dogana”. Sometimes there’s a line but it usually moves pretty fast.
Collect your luggage and head for the exit. “Uscita” Walk out with “nothing to declare”, then TURN TO THE LEFT. It will look something like the picture below. You just want to follow the signs I’ve circled for trains, rental cars, and busses.
You might want to grab a quick coffee or something here before you go downstairs. Keep walking until you see the big metal and glass elevator in the picture below. If you are traveling by train, rental car, or bus, this is where you want to go down. (If someone is picking you up just walk outside at 6.)
Once downstairs, just follow the transportation signs that look like the image below. You’ll go through a little tunnel, and then be in the transportation area.
You’ll emerge in the transportation area. It will look like the pictures below. There’s also a nice Sheraton hotel entrance in this area, to the right.
TRAINS WILL BE TO YOUR LEFT. RENTAL CARS WILL BE TO YOUR RIGHT.
If you are going by car, you’ll just put in this address and navigate there:
Maison Vittoria. Viale Porro Edoardo, 17, 21014 Laveno-Mombello VA, Italy.
If you are taking the train you’ll need to buy your ticket BEFORE you go down the escalator. NOTE: There are two stations in our town. Be sure to book your ticket for the “LAVENO MOMBELLO LAGO” station. There are kiosks available as well as ticket windows. But you can also buy your ticket online before you even get there. That’s what I usually do just to make sure we have a seat. It’s rarely full, but you never know what might be going on. If you do buy the ticket ahead, just “check in” on your train app when you land to make sure they know you will be there.
Here are the train apps I recommend.
Trainline is my personal favorite for these particular train routes. They have a good phone app for finding tickets and tracking your progress. Click the link and scroll down their page to get the app
Trenitalia is a very popular and widely used Italian train app. It will have a lot of routs all over Italy.
Trenord I’m including just for good measure. Different train companies service different parts of italy. Trenord covers most of the train routes that go to the lake region. You can use this to app to verify your journey.
For ALL navigating around I highly recommend Rome2Rio.
It can basically get you from anywhere to anywhere else. Download this app for SURE. You’ll use it a lot!
Ok, let’s get back to your trip to Laveno…
Take the escalator down to the platform “Binario” and wait for your train. Don’t worry about “Terminal 1” or “Terminal 2” Whatever terminal you are at in Malpensa is fine. The trains go through both.
To get to Laveno Mombello Lago, You will almost certainly have to change trains once somewhere, but you should only need to change once if you pick the right train route. Possible change stations are “Saronno” or maybe “Varese”. Below are some example routes. We usually take the Saronno transfer route.
The train signs usually list the FINAL DESTINATION of the train. They won’t list every little town. Most of the trains you take from the airport may say “Milano Centrale” on the signs, because they will terminate. The numbers can be confusing. Don’t be afraid to ask a passenger or conductor if that train goes where you are wanting to go.
Below is an example of how the train route might look in the Trainline app. On the left is the full journey with the main stops, Note that it in this case it shows you have 8 minutes to change trains in Saronno. That is enough actually, but you have to hustle.
The middle image lists all the stops on the first leg of the train. You can watch your progress on the app, and a pro tip is to watch for the stop BEFORE your stop, then get up and be waiting by the door for your stop.
The image in the right shows the stops on the second leg. But no worries. Laveno Mombello Lago is the final destination, so you can’t miss it.
Let’s talk about changing trains. That’s the only tricky bit really. There’s PLENTY of time if you know where you’re going, but on your first trip you won’t. So here are some tips.
Ask a local or conductor while still on the train, which platform “Binario” to your final destination. Sometimes they’ll know.
Be ready at the door to get off the train. (Press the GREEN BUTTON button to open the door).
Divide and conquer. If you’re with someone, have one person watch the bags, while the other looks a the signs or boards. In larger stations there will be a big board. In smaller stations you’ll have to scan around. The platform signs will only show the NEXT train coming. Signs with other incoming trains may be in the underground tunnels between platforms.
Once you find your platform, STAY TOGETHER. Make sure everyone boards at the same time. Don’t worry about which carriage you get on. You can move around inside once you’re on. Just get on the train.
IF you miss a train, don’t worry, there’s likely another coming later, especially if it is still early in the day.
Below are some pictures from the Saronno train station. It’s a medium-small regional station, very similar to many others.
Once you get on that train you are home free. Laveno Mombello Lago is the final destination. Exit the station and walk straight ahead across the roundabout. Pass the pharmacy and the first building and we’re the second building on the right. The entrance is between the pizza place and the Tabachi. Use the blue key to enter the front door, then go up to the “First” floor. (second floor for Americans). We’re the door at the end of the hall.
If you have any questions about the town, Antonio and Martina at the Tabachi downstairs are WONDERFUL people and both speak pretty good English. Tell them you are our guests (and tell them hello from us). They stay pretty busy, but are always happy to help.
Benvenuto a Laveno!
