high-speed vs regional train Venice to Varenna-Esino

AI is wrong

Why not just check the official train site?

Trenitalia

https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

Station names
Venezia S Lucia
Milano Centrale
Varenna- Esino

Fast train to Milan about 2.5 hrs, change to regional to Varenna- about an hour
No changes on the DIRECT fast train
Just the change in Milan which is unavoidable

Fast trains require a seat reservation
Regional trains do not, so if no seats you stand til one opens up
That particular route from Milan to Varenna is often extremely crowded but it’s the only choice

Train info Italy
https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-italy.htm

4 hours from Venice to Milan? No, the Frecciarossa train takes just over 2 hours.

That is why I prefer "natural stupidity" to "artificial intelligence".

Friends tell me “Artificial Intelligence” is an oxyMORON.

I discovered that AI is total BS when I asked AI for information about not paying for traffic fines incurred while visiting Italy with a rental car.

When I looked at the sources of information that AI used to respond to my question I discovered that all the sources the AI used pointed to my own comments on this RS's forum that I had given over the years.

Now, anything that uses "my own comments here" as the source of true information cannot be "intelligent".

Haha
Too funny Roberto!

In addition to Christine’s excellent guidance. I would mention the high-speed trains are much more comfortable and you get a reserved seat so no standing, or sitting with people, or having your party unable to sit together.

“I discovered that all the sources the AI used pointed to my own comments on this RS's forum”

So funny!

I’d venture a guess that forum members think you’re pretty smart and you are appreciated!

Roberto, I agree with Pam! Thanks for all your help over the years!

Our experiences with the Milan >Varenna and the Varenna >Milan regional trains have been challenging. We were there this past April/May, 2025. However, there are few other options to Varenna, except for expensive private drivers.
The trip is only about an hour, and we have endured it several times, standing, shoulder-shoulder. Again, in our experience, the trains were frequently delayed, if not canceled, so the schedules were a joke. The train company sells tickets for first class, which again is an insult, as there are no reserved seats, so folks jam into the alleged first class area, and there's no staff monitoring present.
Sorry to be a downer, just reporting our experiences, so hoping to prepare you. Good luck!

Thank you Pat. That info re Milan-Varenna-Esino was helpful. Good to know what to expect.

Regarding the Trenitalia website, I found it to be very difficult to use and finally purchased tickets through Trainline. regarding AI - I don't like it more than anyone else, which is why I doublechecked on this forum. Thank you for your help. FYI I have a serious eye problem and planning long trips on the computer can cause difficulties. I have been able to use AI sometimes as a first screening step, always checking on accuracy. It has saved me many hours of eyestrain and made it possible for me to plan this 5-week/3 country trip.