tickets to Varenna: how to purchase if have Swiss Pass

Beth, I'm not absolutely sure, but the Swiss Rail Pass should cover your fares to the first station in Italy (which may be Domodossola, depending on where your trip originates?). From there you'll have to buy tickets to Varenna. That trip will be about 3.5H depending on which train you connect with (there will always be one change at Milano Centrale). Note that your destination station will be Varenna-Esino. Many of the trains on the route you'll be using are Regionale, with a few EuroCity and other trains at times. Which one you take will depend on what time you get to the transfer station. It's difficult to buy Regionale tickets in advance (especially more than seven days in advance). Using Domodossola as an example, it may be just as easy to just buy the tickets when you arrive there, although you MAY be able to buy them at stations in Switzerland. Whenever using ANY Regionale, trains, DON'T forget to validate or you could face hefty fines! Happy travels!

thanks: that explains it clearly.

You should be able to buy the ticket at any Swiss train station. Tell the agent that you want to go to Varenna Italy and show the agent your Swiss pass. You should only be charged for the portion in Italy. To prevent misunderstanding, I usually write out my requirement - departure and arrival stations plus date and time desired.

I use the Swiss Transfer Pass every time I go to Italy. Is that the pass you are speaking of? If so, when you land in Switzerland (I fly into Zurich) go to the train ticketing office in the airport. It will be a different place (it is right behind the regular place where you purchase train tickets without a transfer pass). Show them the pass and tell them where in Italy your destination is and they will get you the right ticket. You will pay there for the amount of the ticket from the Italian border to you city of destination. I usually stop at Verona for my first or Stresa. In your case, it will be Varenna. Hopefully, that makes sense. Let me know if you need anything else. I purchased the Swiss Transfer Pass from Rick Steves as I believe his website is the only place you can purchase it in the US.

Thanks: that makes sense, and yes, I plan on purchasing the pass thru the RS website.