hello,we would like to drop our rental car off in lucerne and take a train to varenna.what is the easiest way to go with the least number of changes from trains or buses?
Posted by
Firenze
500 posts
Well, it is not so easy. Varenna is on the "wrong" side of the lake if coming from Switzerland.
Most trains from Lucerne to Italy need a change anyway in Arth-Goldau.
I would get down at Como (sometimes this is direct from Arth-Goldau, sometimes needs a change in Chiasso). Then taxi to the ferry pier, and then a ferry to Bellagio then Varenna.
If you want to avoid the ferry you need to go all the way to Milan, so: Lucerne - Arth-Goldau - Milan and there board a train to Varenna (final destination will be marked as Sondrio or Tirano).
Posted by
California 🦋
5244 posts
Steve,
I have not traveled from Lucerne to Varenna but have stayed in Varenna recently.
According to Rome2rio.com, there are several options for you but it looks like the best option is to take a train from Lucerne to
Lugano then bus from Lugano to Menaggio. Once you arrive to Menaggio, you can easily get to Varenna via ferry boat.
Keep in mind that Rome2rio may not always have updated information but it's a good place to start.
- Here is the official Swiss Railways website to check train schedules ( Luzern to Lugano):http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
You will want to check this website for bus schedules ( Lugano to
Menaggio): http://www.asfautolinee.it/en/home Click on 'extraurban
timetables', then click on line C 12. While checking above bus
website (Italian) there is a message reporting that bus line c12 will
have to take a detour due to bridge restoration ( from April 11-
April 16)You may like to refer to this map to see bus line routes:
http://www.asfautolinee.it/Portals/5/Documents/Mappe/Mappa_linee_extraurbano.pdfThis is the official website for the ferry schedules:
http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/c_illago.html
Varenna is a gem & a great place for R&R, have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Steve, Look it up on www.sbb.ch (Swiss federal railways).
This says about 5 hours, changing at Arth-Goldau and Monza (3 trains, 2 changes). For example (there are other trains):
Luzern depart 09:40, Arth-Goldau arrive 10:11
Arth-Goldau depart 10:17, Monza arrive 13:21
Monza depart 13:32, Varenna-Esino depart 14:24
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32224 posts
steve,
Travel by train on the that route is actually quite easy. There appears to be a direct train from Lucerne to Milano Centrale, departing at 08:47 and arriving at 12:50 (time 4H:03M, reservations compulsory). There's a departure from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino at 13:20, arriving 14:23 (time 1H:03M). There's only a 30 minute layover between trains, which is quite reasonable. That makes a total travel time of 5H:36M, but it will be an easy trip as there's only one change. Rather than using a combination of cars, boats, buses or rail, this seems like the most straight forward solution.
When boarding the train from Milano to Varenna, DON'T forget to validate your tickets or you could face hefty fines! I'd suggest buying your outbound tickets from Varenna as well, as the ticket office there isn't staffed.