After a trip to Croatia ending in Venice, what's the best way to get to Varenna from Venice. We are senior citizens and will have luggage making it a little difficult to change trains etc. Would hiring a car and driver be too expensive to consider? Is there a train to Varenna without going first to Milan and changing trains. We are not handicapped just concerned about baggage. Are there lockers or baggage check at Milan train station to leave heavy pieces while we are at Lake Como? Thanks
Posted by
Houston, Texas, USA
232 posts
I just checked the Trenitalia site and there are no direct connections from Venice to Varenna. Most trains change in Milan, although some change in Lecco. These trips take 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Some also have multiple changes in Brescia, Bergamo, and Lecco. These take about 5 hours. http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=4ddd1a035296f310VgnVCM1000005817f90aRCRD
To check the schedule, click the British flag at the top of the page for English. in From, enter Venezia S. Lucia if coming from Venice; Venezia Mestre if coming form the mainland. In To, enter Varenna-Esino. Then enter date and time (24 hour clock), and you will see the schedule for several trains from that hour on. The fare is pretty inexpensive. I don't know the cost of a car and driver but imagine it would be very expensive. I did a quick search and found a car and driver from Venice to Florence, and it was 612 Euros for 1-2 people, so I imagine the cost to Varenna would be in the 500 Euro plus range.
Is there any chance of packing lighter so you don't have to worry about luggage? Rick Steves and other sites have wonderful information on how to "travel light." We always travel with only a carry-on rolling bag and a backpack or day pack, no matter how long we are travelling. Unless you are also going on a cruise and have to take formal wear, packing in a carry-on is easier than you think.
If you must carry more luggage, consider paying to have the heavier bags sent home early. There are a number of services that will do this.
I hope you will post a trip report as my husband and I hope to visit Croatia during our upcoming retirement years. We will be in Varenna in May!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
awk,
The quickest and easiest route from Venice to Varenna will be via Milano Centrale, and it's actually a fairly easy trip (even with luggage). Could you clarify how much luggage you're planning to take?
Changing trains at Milano Centrale shouldn't be a huge problem, as it's a simple matter to walk from one platform to the next. You may find it helpful to have a look at THIS short video which shows arrival of a Freccia train in Milan. As you can see the platforms are all level and it's a simple matter to get from one platform to the next. There will be no stairs to navigate in changing platforms, so you'll only have to get your bags down one or two stairs from the train.
One other point to mention is that the electronic sign board may not show Varenna as the destination. The end destination on that route will likely be Tirano or other, so use the train number to find the correct Binario (platform) for the train you'll need.
You might consider a departure from Venezia Santa Lucia at 08:50, arriving Varenna-Esino at 13:23 (time 4H:33M, one change at Milan). The first leg of that trip will be via FrecciaBianca, so you MUST only board the train specified on your ticket (or risk being fined on the spot). For the final leg from Milan to Varenna, that's a Regionale train so DON'T forget to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or again fines on the spot.
The trip from Milan to Varenna is only 1H:03M so at about the one hour mark, be prepared to disembark promptly as the train only stops for about a minute. You should be able to walk to your hotel as most are downhill from the station. There may be a Taxi waiting at the station, but that's not always the case.
I'm also somewhat of a "senior citizen" and would have no difficulty travelling that route.
Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
This is very helpful. I had not thought of shipping home some of our luggage. How do we find someone to do this in Venice? We plan to return from Milan to Atlanta since there are lots of flights to choose from. Good information about the platforms. We have encountered some requiring many steps. I have tried cutting back on packing but for over two week trip, I just don't think I can stand the same clothes even if they are clean. I really appreciate the detailed information on the trains. I have been on the Trenitalia site but didn't ever figure out the needed information.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
awk,
Shipping items home probably won't be cheap, as you'll need to use FedEx or UPS (the Postal system is not too reliable and it could take months to receive the items). There is a Deposito Bagagli at Milano Centrale, but I don't know if they allow overnight storage and that could also be expensive.. As I recall, it's at street level, one floor down from the McDonalds and two floors down from track level.
If you're going to be stopping one night in Milan prior to your flight home, one other option might be to ask your hotel in Milan if they could store your excess luggage while you're in Varenna. That would of course mean making an excursion from Milano Centrale after arriving from Venice. If your hotel is close to the station, you could walk or the other option would be to use a Taxi. Trains to Varenna leave about every two hours, so you should have time to drop your luggage and still get back to the station quickly.
The easiest option would of course be to "pack light" so that none of this is necessary.
Cheers!