Most Direct Train from Varenna to Monerosso, Cinque Terre

Others may want to confirm, but I think in Varenna station there s no ticket office, but there is a travel agency down the street that sells tickets.

You can buy tickets on the day you travel.
Seats don't sell out.

It requires at least two separate trains:
VARENNA-Milano Centrale (Regional train)
Milano Centrale-Monterosso (intercity)

If you purchase ahead online, however, you might save money on the intercity from Milan, if you buy super economy or economy fare. However those discounted fares are restricted. Once a specific train is booked at those fares there are no changes or refunds allowed. The full fare (called Base) can be purchased any time on the spot.
Ticket sales online become available 120 days prior to date of departure.

www.trenitalia.com
For schedules and booking
Enter from VARENNA-ESINO to MONTEROSSO
If you travel a long time from now, the timetable may not be available yet. But try a date on the near future to get an idea of the options.

We were in Varenna for only one night. The little agency at the Varenna station has limited hours. It was open when we arrived so we bought our tickets then to Milan. I read you can get tickets at a tobacco shop also.

mac,

The easiest and quickest solution for that trip will be to connect with one of the direct (no changes) trains from Milano Centrale to Monterosso. There are direct departures from Milan at 08:10, 12:10 and 14:05 (among others). If you wanted to connect with the 12:10 departure, the 10:37 departure from Varenna will get you to Milan at 11:40 (assuming no delays).

Regarding tickets, you have several options.....

• Buy your outgoing tickets in Milan prior to going to Varenna, either at a Kiosk or the staffed ticket office. Be sure to specify dates accurately or your tickets won't be valid.
• Buy your tickets at the helpful Tivano Tours office in Varenna during business hours.
• If you have access to a computer and printer in Varenna, purchase your tickets online at www.trainline.eu or on the Trenitalia website.

That's a very easy trip. If you're using locally purchased tickets for the Regionale Milan - Varenna trains, BE SURE to validate prior to boarding on the day of travel or you'll risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!

I think that the Barilott bar/tabac near the main square only sells tickets for that line, e.g. the leg back to Milan. Two years ago, they could not sell me a ticket within the Cinque Terre.

If you know your departure date, why not buy on-line now and save money. You will have a connection in Milano Centrale to an IC train direct to Monterosso with seat reservations. You will also get a time specific ticket for the train from Varenna (your originating connecting train) to Milano Centrale. Now you don't have to worry about trying to buy a local ticket there. You'll already have it.

Purchasing ahead is perfect. This is our first time with train ticket purchase. Should we be buying full fare in case there is some mishap that causes us to miss the specified time of departure. Or can be purchase a ticket that simply gets validated at time of actual departure.