is it necessary to pre-book train tickets or can we just get them at the counter in varenna? we need to take an early train to Milan. any suggestions?
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
There is no counter in Varenna. You need to get your tickets to Milan before going to Varenna. However, I have read that there is a travel agency in Varenna where you can get train tickets.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
It is a Regionale, no reservations. But "the counter" is misleading. I believe there is now a travel agency there now that sells tickets, but I don't know their hours. You can also buy tickets at a tabacchi in town. So you should get the ticket in advance if you want an early train. Just make sure it is dated for your day of travel and validate it before boarding.
You can also buy ahead and print the ticket at home for the date and time you want. It will be pre-validated and can be used in a 4-hour time window.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
Visit the travel agency at the station when you arrive; buy your ticket to Milan then. The trains can be very crowded; there are no seat reservations but if you are elderly, pregnant, disabled just ask a seated passenger to let you have their seat. I did that; it worked.
Posted by
Southern California
452 posts
We were in Varenna last October and the travel agency is in the train station building as Swan said, on the left side as you face the building with the tracks at your back. However, as noted elsewhere, it's not open all the hours that the train runs, so plan ahead. Also, they don't just sell train tickets and they may be helping customers do other things, so even when they're open you don't want to wait until the last minute to buy your tickets.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
anyone know the name and contact info for this travel agency? I have contacted one at [email protected] with 2 emails but never got a reply back.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16700 posts
Tivano Tours, not Travino.
But your train to Milano Centrale (if that's where you're going) from Varenna will be a regionale - as Sam said previously - and there's absolutely no need to pre-book tickets as there's no assigned seating on those trains. Just buy them from the agency in Varenna sometime during your stay.
Editing to add: are you needing an early train as you're flying out of Malpensa that same day? If so, that airport is quite a long distance from Milan, and I'm not sure I'd want to be in Varenna if you have a morning flight. Let's just say that some additional info might be helpful?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The Barilott bar/tabaccho just off Piazza S. Giorgio sells the regional train tickets to Milan (or north to Tirano) but not tickets for further connections. Check the method of validation. Some tickets sold in these little shops must have dates and times written in by hand (by you) if they don't fit in the date-stamp machines at the station.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
pecanlady, you are flying in and out from MXP and You are 100% sure of the day you are taking the train from Varenna-Esino.
Did I got it right?
If so why don't you just purchase all the train tickets you need at MXP train station? Or at any other station you'll pass by during your stay.