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Train Logistics Chamonix to Milan to Varenna

Posted by (Colorado) on

I have decided to use trains to get from Chamonix to Milan and then Varenna on Lake Como on September 7. My preference is to arrive in Milan by about 5 pm and then take the next train to Varenna. One route consists of the following segments and time estimates: Chamonix to Martigny by the Mont Blanc Express (1H 42M), Martigny to Brig (50M), Brig to Milan Central (about 2 to 2.75H), and Milan to Varenna (1H 5M). I am trying to get the following information about the train segments: 1) Daily schedule with times and costs; 2) Determine if I can get to Milan by 5 pm using this route; 3) Logistics in arriving and switching to another train segment; 4) How much time is needed between different trains; and 5) How to book the various segments. I have heard that you can get a free Guest Card from your hotel in Chamonix for the first segment. Any information regarding my questions is appreciated. Thanks.

RD in Colorado

Posted by
4 posts

The bus schedule for Sept 7 is only showing a 4 pm depart / 8 pm arrival in Milan. Is it possible that Flixit would add a 10 am depart in the summer and fall?

Posted by
7 posts

I am also looking to get from Chamonix to Varenna (Sept. 20th). I just called Flixbus to check whether they might be adding an earlier departure (from Chamonix to Milan) and was told that there were no plans to do so. A 10am departure would have been perfect-4pm is a bit late; will have to investigate alternative transportation or change plans. Does anyone know if it is possible to hire a private car for under $300? We are a party of 2.

Posted by
8889 posts

Are you doing this in one day, or stopping in overnight Milan?

For train times and costs, look on the SBB (Swiss Railways) website: https://www.sbb.ch/en/
You don't need to know the route when looking up trains, just enter "Chamonix-Mont-Blanc" to "Varenna-Esino" and it will give you a route. Pick a date before June, as Italian times after that have not yet been released.
This will be a long trip 7½ to 8 hours. This may be one of the cases where a bus is a good option.

For example:

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc dep 10:54, Vallorcine (F) arr 11:31
Vallorcine (F) dep 11:44, Martigny arr 12:36
Martigny dep 13:10, Brig arr 14:02
Brig dep 14:44, Milano Centrale arr 16:37
Milano Centrale dep 17:20, Varenna-Esino arr 18:23

Posted by
4 posts

Chris,
Thank you for the train information. I think it will work for my trip. Is the Chamonix-Mont Blanc to Martigny segment part of the Mont Blanc Express or is it a different train? I have heard that you can use a Guest Card from your hotel for free on the Mont Blanc Express. Since it is too early to purchase a ticket, what is the approximate cost per passenger to go from Chamonix to Varenna?
RD

Posted by
11779 posts

FYI, we were once scheduled to take the train(s) out of Chamonix on our way to Luzern, Switzerland. The evening before departure we were advised by SNCF that the route would not run due to a rolling strike. That was when we discovered the AlpyBus shuttle and that one can get to Geneva in only and hour by shuttle. From Geneva, getting to Milano is easy. A 13:39 EuroCity train will arrive in Milano at 17:37. Beware the French train strikes and consider your back up plan.

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