train travel from Zurich to Varenna, or would Como be faster?
 

I have been researching train travel from Zurich to Varenna, and was wondering if anyone could tell me if it would make more sense (and take less time) to get off in Como and then take a ferry to Varenna, rather than take the train all the way to Varenna. From what I understand the town of Como isn't right on the lake, so not sure if the ferry is convenient. But it seems that I would be back-tracking a bit taking the train to Varenna, as the train would be going south to get back up north. I don't know if it would be more of a hassle to get to the ferry with luggage in tow, or if we should just stay on the train and travel through Milan to get back up to Varenna. Any insight would be appreciated....

The town of Como IS right on the lake, and there are ferry piers in town. The train station is a bit far from the ferry piers, IMO not walkable with luggage, and so taking a taxi to the piers, then trying to time your train arrival with the departure time of the Varenna ferry, then lugging luggage onto the ferries, then lugging it off the ferry, then getting to you hotel, all in it may be faster to just get the train to Varenna. I don't know where you hotel is in relation to the train station in Varenna versus the ferry piers, that would be another consideration.


For the ferry schedule on Lake Como go to www.navigazionelaghi.it

You might look into taking a train to Locarno, then taking the 1-hour public bus ride to Menaggio, then taking the ferry across to Varenna (15 minutes). However, if you are carrying large and heavy suitcases, switching trains once in Milano makes more sense.

Thanks, that is helpful. We are staying at Albergo Milano in Varenna. Since this will be the first train ride after arriving from the US, I imagine we will be very tired and will just want to nod off on the train and only have to deal with luggage once. But we WILL pack light! I appreciate the info.

I think nessundorma means Lugano, not Locarno as the place to get the bus.

If it were me, to hell with being tired, I'd fit in a ride over the Bernina Pass. Spectacular scenery. Zurich-Chur-St.Moritz-Bernina-Tirano-Varenna, less than 9 hours.