We will be traveling by train from Milano Centrale station to Varenna (Lake Como) in September. I have been trying to make advance reservations on the trenitalia site but the website says tickets are not available. I have already made train reservations to Venice and Bolzano so I am wondering why I am having trouble making reservations to Varenna. Am I just too early? Or are these Regional trains that do not require reservations? Thanks for any insight you can give me.
Leila
Posted by
Chicago
8223 posts
that line is a regional train sit anywhere you do not need to book in advance. there are usually 17 trains a day
avoid during rush hours if you want a seat
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
Regional trains are not showing up yet on the schedule after June 8. That is the date that schedules are adjusted on that date. The schedule will probably not change much, if at all. As said, they are completely unreserved, like a city bus. Buy a ticket, validate it, and get on and find a seat. If starting from Milano Centrale, just get there 20 minutes early and you can be one of the first people on board and get a seat when it gets spotted on the platform.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32392 posts
Leila,
As the others have mentioned, those are a Regionale train operated by Tre Nord so there's absolutely no reason to buy advance tickets. There are no discounts for those trains so just as easy to buy them at the stations, either from a Kiosk or staffed ticket office. I normally use the Kiosks.
Again as mentioned, with locally purchased tickets you must validate them prior to boarding the train on the day of travel. Failure to do so can result in hefty fines, which will be collected on the spot.
The trip from Milano to Varenna is 1H:03M. I'd suggest sitting on the left (while facing forward) as that will provide the best lake views. The train will go through a tunnel just prior to arrival. Be sure to disembark promptly as the train doesn't stop for long.