Shared shuttle from Varenna to Milan Central train station?

Hi Pat, What if you tried an earlier train? I've ridden that route several times with between 2 and 5 ppl and none of us stood. I think we caught a similar train (morning or midmorning) - the platform was full anyway - at the height of summer. Your idea to travel backward is interesting. I dont know about a shuttle.

Jessica, thanks. Yes, the platform is full and then a full train arrives, and no one gets off. Guess we will just mentally prepare ourselves to stand for the entire hour. I've always wondered why the train company just didn't add more cars.
Thanks

It is not always so simple as adding more cars. I'll let a railroad guy like Nigel explain the technical details, but such things as platform length, engine power.

One completely off piste suggestion based on the couple of times I've used this train is that there is technically a first class on these trains. At least there was on the ones I rode and the ticket option exists on the trains in April I tested it on. I believe it is a just a small section at the front of one car that is slightly offset and is technically the "first class" section. Aside from maybe slightly larger seats there is nothing much "first" about this class, but Italians would never buy first class tickets for a train like this so it may the closest you could get to a reserved seat.

If you are willing to risk the extra 2.60e, find the one of the cars with the small first class section and potentially argue to kick any people out who have decided to sit there on 2nd class tickeys this might work to get you a seat from Varenna to Milano.

This suggestion comes with no guarantee of success expressed or implied. Hopefully someone with more experience on this line can chime in,

Good luck!
=Tod

Here is another option. Spring ferry schedule is not out yet, but current schedule shows a ferry at 8:30, arriving at Como at 9:23. Walk to the Lago train station. There is a train at 10:16 going to Milano Cadorna. If you need to be at Centrale, you can change at Camerlata to a train to Centrale, arriving at 11:17.

We hired a driver who was $110 for a couple. We thought it was worth it, for door to door service, in a nice car and help with luggage. We had heard similar stories about the train and decided against it. Good luck!

Thanks to all for the suggestions.
Hiredman, I'll have to look into first class, which I understand could be questionable.
Sunny, who was your driver, if you don't mind sharing?
Sam, I never thought about going down to Como town. You're always such a great help. Wonder if there are other options to Venice from there. But an hour on the ferry, vs an hour standing on the regional train, a conundrum.
I think I'll email the Varenna hotel and see if they have any insider info.
Thanks again for the brainstorming.

We used City Airport Taxis. We actually had a van for the 4 of us for $220, but when making inquiries, the town car for up to 3 was $110. I really recommend it.

Sorry for the inaccurate information, I looked it up again. It is $220 for the van, but $150 for the town car, that does make it more hard to chose.

Pat, thank you so much for posting this question. We will be in the same predicament in early June when we need to take the regional train from Varenna to our hotel in Milan. I didn't know that regional train is so crowded. My husband and I are in our 70's, and I don't relish the thought of standing for one hour with luggage, and possibly nothing to hold on to.

Thank you, Sunny, for your recommendation for City Airport Taxis. I will contact them.

On a similar note, we will be taking the regional train from Milan Centrale to Varenna in early June. I already have the tickets; it's a combination of Verona to Milan Central on the fast train, and the regional train from Milan to Varenna. Does anyone know if the trains are as crowded going to Varenna from Milan? thank you.

We have not had any problems taking the train FROM Milan Central to Varenna. It's the train from Varenna to Milan that has always been so packed.

Take the train. It is comfortable. We had seats.

Pat, thank you for your quick response. It puts my mind at ease!