JS801

My husband and I are planning a trip to Switzerland/Italy in June. We are hoping to go from Zurich to Varenna on Lake Como and then head to the Cinque Terre. My question is, how do we get from Zurich to Varenna by train? Is there a direct route or will we have to change trains somewhere? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

kybourbon

You can train from Zurich to Como and either boat to Varenna or take the bus from Como to Bellagio and then the boat across to Varenna.

As for training only, it's probably faster to train Zurich/Milan and then Milan/Varenna than getting off in Como and training the rest of the way which would require another change of trains in Lecco or Monza.

Dukey1

These days the fastest timing (a little more than five hours) involves changing in both Bellinzona and Milan. You can <B>easily</B> research this yourself by using the Swiss rail site: www.sbb.ch and then click on the EN version at the top of the home screen

kybourbon

No, you don't have to change in Bellinzona. The schedule doesn't seem to be quite accurate on sbb if you enter Zurich/Varenna as it doesn't show the EC trains to Milan that don't require changes. Enter Zurich/Milan and you will see these trains that take a little under 4 hours to Milan.

From Milan to Varenna, there are trains almost every two hours (travel time 1 hour).

JS801

Thanks for the feedback! I had done some research on sbb.ch but wasn't sure what the most advisable routes were. I was hoping there was a way to get there without having to go all the way to Milan, which seemed out of the way to me. I'll have to look into boating across to Varenna. How would I research that? Would it be faster and/or cheaper for us to just go ahead and make the trip to Milan and then back up to Varenna? Thank you so much for the help!

bobthenavigator

I would train to Lugano and then take a taxi or bus to Menaggio on the west shore of Lago Como and the ferry to Varenna---right across from Menaggio. Actually, I may just stay in Menaggio.

kybourbon

Milan/Varenna is 6.25€ 2nd class or 9€ 1st. There is no advantage buying those tickets in advance as there are no reserved seats or discount tickets.

Zurich/Milan sometimes has discount tickets for 25chf. I think it's at least two weeks advance and not more than two months. Last time I bought they were called supersaver.

bob - I seem to recall looking into that a a few years ago and the station the EC train stopped at in Lugano wasn't where you caught the bus. Do you know if you can catch the bus there?

JS801

Thanks for the ideas! I'm going to have to look into Menaggio. I haven't found any info about boating across to Varenna. I'm guessing this is something that can be figured out when we get there if we choose that option. Thanks again for the info!

kybourbon

Map of the lakes/ferries:
http://www.comotourism.it/como/index...-pubblici.html

Winter timetable:
http://www.navlaghi.it/file2/NLC_Traghetto.pdf

http://www.navlaghi.it/file2/NLC_Serv_Rapido_Cn.pdf

http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/c_orari.asp

bobthenavigator

I think not but am not sure. The train station is elevated above town so I doubt it.

JS801

Thank you so much for the good information. I think we have decided to train to Lugano and catch the bus to Menaggio. I'll have to look into it some more to see how far away a bus stop/station would be from the train station, but this definitely looks like a good option. Thank you again for your help!

kybourbon

>>>Lugano, Switzerland to Menaggio
Itinerary #1
1. There is a Swiss shuttle bus (see www.sbb.ch for schedule) that goes directly from Lugano to Menaggio once a day on certain days of the week.
Itinerary #2
1. Walk 1km or take a taxi to Via Campo Marzio, Cassarate in Lugano (see our maps for directions) from the Lugano train station and catch the direct Italian C12 bus to Menaggio.<<<<

Winter schedules page 4,5 and 7.
http://www.asfautolinee.it/LinkClick...language=en-US