I will be ending a trip in Chamonix on Sept 7 and need to get to Varenna on the same day. I am looking for the best way to get to Milan by about 5 pm and then I will take a train from Milan Centrale to Varenna. There appears to be a Flixit bus once per day, but it does not arrive at the Milan Metro until 8 pm. Are there other options to arrive in Milan by about 5 pm? I know there are train options to Milan, but it appears that you have to switch trains two or three times. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.
RD in Colorado
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1882 posts
According to Google Maps it is a 3 hour drive. Will be more costly, but will meet your time constraints. There is a Hertz car rental at the Milan Train Station. Train is the second best choice which as you say is 6-7 hours.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
RD,
One method you could consider.....
- Take one of the local Van Shuttles from Chamonix to Geneva main station. You'll need to pre-book that.
- Take one of the numerous trains to Milano Centrale. On the current schedules there's a departure at 10:15, arriving Milano Centrale at 16:35 (time 6H:20M, one change in Zürich).
- After arrival at Milano CE, buy ticket from the Kiosk and take the next train to Varenna. Note that the station is called Varenna-Esino.
- You may want to buy your return ticket at the same time, as there's no ticket office in Varenna (although you can get tickets online or at the helpful Tivano Tours office).
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11779 posts
Great plan, Ken. The shuttle is very efficisn’t and a real time saver. Try AlpyBus. And do reserve well in advance. They do sell out.