Steve, I saw that you answered a question for someone telling them the best train route to take to get from Zermatt to Lake Como (specifically to Bellagio). We would like to go from Zermatt to Lake Como for a day prior to staying in Milan that same evening. You had said "The route that I'd use from Zermatt to Bellagio, would be a train departing Zermatt at 07:39, with arrival at Milano Centrale at 11:35 (time 3H:56M, 1 change in Brig, reservations compulsory on one leg). From Milano Centrale, take the Regionale to Varenna-Esino (time 1H:03M). When you arrive in Varenna, either walk down the hill (about 15 minutes) or take a Taxi to the Ferry docks. They're located in front of Albergo Olivedo (large mustard-coloured building). The Ferry ride to Bellagio is about 20 minutes. I have tried to locate the train schedule you describe above but can not find this. Can you tell me the specific trains we would need to take to get this route? I saw your mention of reservations compulsory on one leg which tells me maybe two different train systems? We are very interested in going to Varenna after we depart from Zermatt and will be staying in Milan the same evening. Wasn't sure if there would be enough time to do this. Thanks very much!
Vicki M.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Vicki, first, there are two different train systems involved for this run. You can buy the entire run from from Zermatt to Varenna-Esino on www.rail.ch. This is the Swiss train website. I see a fare of 81CHF (Swiss Francs). You might change to an Italian train at Brig or maybe not. But, you are good to Varenna-Esino. You will change trains again at Milano Centrale. You will need a seat reservation on the EuroCity train between Brig and Milan. Not to worry. These are provided when you buy the ticket. For the local train to Varenna-Esino, no seat reservations are permitted. It's open seating. If no seats, you can stand. It's like a bus in that regard. Once in Varenna, you do go down to the docks to catch the ferry to Bellagio. Here's a LINK to what you should see on the Swiss train website. I've opened up the 7:39 run so that you can see the different stops.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10259 posts
Who's Steve?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32919 posts
To follow Andrea and to perhaps avoid any possible confusion, I'll quote from the introductory page to the Helpline: All posted responses are from the traveling public and are not supplied by Europe Through the Back Door staff members unless specifically noted.
Posted by
Seattle, Washington, United States
284 posts
If you have time, the way I did it was Zermatt to Domodossola to Locarno to Como via Lugano to Bellagio. It takes a full day, but it is very scenic and you can skip Milan all together. Otherwise, Varenna is the key. For the schedule, check http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD
and type in your destinations. :)