On Sunday July 14, a local train strike was called. As a result, disturbances to train circulation might occur.
While transportation from Malpensa airport to Milano Centrale will not be disrupted (buses will be anyway available from their stops in front of Exit 4), some trains from Milano Centrale (main railroad station) to Varenna-Esino could be canceled or delayed.
To guarantee transportation to all students and lecturers who could not board trains, the School organized a free shuttle bus leaving from Excelsior Hotel Gallia, Piazza Duca D'Aosta 9 (your back to the station, the hotel will be on your right) leaving at 9:30 pm and arriving in Varenna around 11:00 pm. SIF Staff will be waiting in front of Excelsior Hotel Gallia from 9:00 pm. The bus and the Staff will display the sign "SCHOOL OF PHYSICS VARENNA".
We invite you to call or message or whatsapp ++39 335-790-7869 or mail sif@sif.it if you board a train so that we know that you are about to arrive in Varenna and will come to meet you at the railway station.
Update (11:04 am): Strike has led to the cancellation of most trains to Varenna. Only the train that left Milan at 8:20 am has traveled. As of now, however, 2:20 pm train to Varenna seems confirmed.
If you wish to reach Italy by airplane, you may choose among three airports: Malpensa, Linate and the Bergamo airport of Orio al Serio.
Malpensa airport (MPX) is the main international airport. It has two terminals, T1 and T2, the latter mostly dedicated to low-cost flights. Linate airport (LIN) is the city airport, while Bergamo (BGY) is close enough to Milan to be considered. Many low-cost companies land to BGY.
Whichever airport you chose, from there you will need to reach the Milan Main Railway Station ("Milano Centrale"). To do so, you may take a shuttle bus right out of the arrival area. Tickets may be purchased at the bus stop.
From Malpensa (both terminals) you may also take a train (Malpensa Express). Be sure to board the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale (some Malpensa Express trains go to a minor Milan train station). Train tickets must be purchased at the ticket office and validated before boarding the train. Due to the local train strike, Malpensa Express trains might be replaced by buses.
One way or the other, when you reach Milan Main Railway Station you should take a local train to Varenna-Esino. Timetables will be available at www.trenitalia.it, where you may purchase in advance your ticket, if you wish so. Otherwise (and I would do so) you may go to the ticket office in the station and buy the ticket there. Ticket purchased at the station must be validated before boarding the train.
Travel times from MPX, LIN and BGY to the train station are about one hour, 45 minutes and 20 minutes, respectively. Train from Milan will bring you to Varenna in one hour.
If you need any additional info, please mail us.