We're making reservations for our train trips and I can't find one from Milan to Varenna on the day/time we need it. Any alternatives? We're going to be spending two and a half days in Varenna so would a car be better from Milan?
Posted by
Austin, TX, USA
492 posts
The train between Milan and Varenna is a regional train, no need to make reservations. Just use a day in the next week to see the current schedule and prices.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32392 posts
Art, The trains from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino are Regionale only, so you won't be able to make reservations. There are usually departures every two hours, and the trip is 1H:03M. The Trenitalia website is being "overhauled" at the moment, so doesn't show that route for some reason. Use the Swiss Rail website (www.sbb.ch) for the times. If you're going to be in Milan for a few days prior to taking that trip, you can purchase tickets either from the Kiosks or from the ticket office (two floors down via "moving sidewalks"). You might want to get tickets for your return journey also. DO NOT FORGET to validate your tickets in the yellow machine prior to boarding the train. Don't validate the tickets for your return journey until the day of travel. NO, a car would not be better from Milan (IMO). Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Salem, OR, USA
27 posts
Thank you! Art
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
I think it really depends how you are spending your time in the area if you get a car or not. I very much doubt you are going to spend the full 2 1/2 days in Veranna. It just isn't that big. If you plan on staying in just the major towns that the ferry will take you too and not really away from them than the train is fine. But if you plan on seeing things outside of the towns themselves you really do need a car. We took a day trip to Lugano Switzerland that is less than two hours away. We loved it. We enjoyed the city, the ride and it would have been difficult without the car. So if you just stay in the 'ferry towns' themselves the train is fine but if you want to move around the area get a car. But if you don't like small winding roads stick to the train and ferry.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
"The Trenitalia website is being "overhauled" at the moment, so doesn't show that route for some reason." On the Trenitalia website, if you enter the destination as "Varenna-Esino" instead of just "Varenna", you will see the route. "Varenna-Esino" is the full name of the station, and the Trenitalia website can be picky about such things.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32392 posts
@Tom, I was aware of the Varenna-Esino designation and tried that numerous times over the past few weeks when researching that route on the Trenitalia website. Others here on the HelpLine have reported the same issue. If it's working now, it probably means that they now have those schedules loaded on the website. Cheers!