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From Wengen to Varenna

Posted by (Spokane) on

Hello,

Some version of this question has been asked over the years. Just to make sure I have arrived at the right solution...

It seems the best thing to do would be to make a separate reservation for the Domodossola(I) to Varenna leg using, say, Trenitalia. If I am careful enough I could try to be on a train that goes via Domodossola so I don't have to switch trains. Although I might need to switch seats in the train since I will have reserved seats Domodossola onwards which might not be the seats I am sitting on to begin with.

I looked at the option of using SBB to buy a comprehensive ticket from Wengen to Varenna. Some posts on some forums suggested that as an option. What I find is, while the Italian schedule/trains are loaded on SBB, there are other fare or booking related issues that complicate the whole business.

Any commentary on my assessment will be highly appreciated,

Thanks!

Posted by
8889 posts

You are correct. Trenitalia only lists and only sells tickets for Italian and cross border trains. Their website doesn't even recognise Wengen (or Interlaken) as valid places as no Italian trains go there. SBB is better and does list trains in surrounding countries (including Italy), but doesn't have all the cheaper Italian tickets available and can't always sell online.
And Domodossola is the border station.

My only "enhancement" is, if you do not have to change trains in Domodossola (if you are getting on the train to Milan in Spiez or Brig) and you are not using a Swiss Pass. Try buying Spiez/Brig (whichever) on Trenitalia, and Wengen to Spiez/Brig at SBB, this might be slightly cheaper. The Swiss fare will have no discount, you can buy at Wengen station on the day.

"I will have reserved seats Domodossola onwards which might not be the seats I am sitting on to begin with." - but if that seat is free when you get on the train, you might as well sit there.

Posted by
75 posts

Thanks for a prompt response, Chris.

I looked into the option of doing a different split between SBB and Trenitalia as per your suggestion. Domodossola as the point of split seems the most cost-effective presently.

Could you confirm if there's exactly the same border crossing dynamic/considerations at play with Chiasso (as with Domodossla) if one is taking the Luzern - Arth-Goldau - Monza route to Varenna from Wengen.

Thanks!

Posted by
8889 posts

Could you confirm if there's exactly the same border crossing dynamic/considerations at play with Chiasso (as with Domodossla) if one is taking the Luzern - Arth-Goldau - Monza route to Varenna from Wengen.

Yes, except there are more through trains, it is less likely you will need to change trains at Chiasso.

Plan B: The first station after Chiasso is Como town. Instead of going all the way to Varenna by train (Varenna is on the other side of the lake, so you have to go south and then north up the far side of the lake), you could take a ferry from Como to Varenna. This may not be quicker, but it may be more fun. You would need to find out ferry details.

Plan C: If you are using that route, you could also get off the train in Lugano (before Chiasso), bus from there to Menaggio, which is on Lake Como opposite Varenna, then a shorter ferry across the lake.

Posted by
75 posts

Wow, such a helpful response.

I was considering this other option because the check-out time in my hotel at Wengen is 10am. The Chiasso route (leaving at 10:03) takes more time while getting me to Varenna only an hour earlier than the latter (12:33) route through Domodossola. There's also an additional connection involved. Still, I was wondering if it wouldn't be better to be sitting in a train than hang around in Wengen waiting for the 12:33 departure. However, based on your comment, it seems the Chiasso route is also the more fun/scenic route to take.

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