Public transport in Italy is both cheap and efficient.  Bus tickets can be purchased at train stations, bus stations, airports and Tabacs (newsagent/tobacco shops).

Train tickets must be ‘validated’ by putting the ticket into the yellow machine at the beginning of the train. You will incur a fine if you do not do this.

From Milan Malpensa by public transport

On exiting arrivals, you will see a ticket office directly in front of you, selling bus tickets to Milano Centrale (Milan Central Station). The buses leave every half hour from directly outside the arrivals building.

Once you arrive at the train station, you simply go to the ticket office and buy a train ticket to Como San Giovanni, which is the main railway station. The Trenitalia web site provides online timetables. From here you can hop on a bus or pick up a taxi for your onward journey to your resort.

Alternatively, you can get a train directly from Malpensa airport to Como Nord Laghi station, which as the names suggest is right by the lakeside, giving you instant access to the ferry network.  Follow signs to ‘Treni’ (trains) and get a ticket to Como via Saronno. They depart every 30 minutes.

Useful phrases

Solo andata = 1 way ony

Andata e ritorno = both ways