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Trains- Stresa to Parma June

Posted by (Oregon) on

I started looking months ago for train tickets and the schedule wasn’t published so I decided not to worry about it, but now am wondering if I screwed up.

We are looking to travel from Stresa to Parma on Friday, June 21. If I look at the current (May) train table there are multiple options that would work well, but looking on our Friday the scheduled times are longer with multiple transfers (2+) Did I wait too long or is it possible that more times will be added soon? Not sure if I should grab what’s there or wait.

Also, If the train is going to take 3-4 hours would it be better to just drive? We have been debating whether to stay in Parma and then rent a car Saturday for our drive on Sunday to Tuscany or should we just get get the car in Stresa and stay at an agriturismo near Parma? Advice appreciated, thank you in advance.

Thanks for the advice.

Posted by
21274 posts

The rail line between Stresa and Arona (on the way to Milan) is being shut down beginning June 9 for a rebuilding project. That is your difficulty. If you want a car in Tuscany, renting in Stresa might be the best option if you can get a one-way rental. There is a replacement bus service, but it is spotty right now, unless it gets improved later on.

Posted by
2579 posts

There are going to be two rail replacement services. One replacing the EC trains, and another replacing the local trains. And the buses for the local services may not yet all be on line yet.

Posted by
16168 posts

Given the circumstances I would rent a car in Milan (airport or city, depending on where you are coming from) and have a car for Stresa as well. I’ve found a car useful for lake Maggiore. Obviously you don’t need one to visit the Borromean islands, but it cuts down the travel time a lot to visit Cannobio, Lake Orta, Orta San Giulio, Locarno, just to mention some popular destinations in the area.

If you have a car in Parma you want to make sure you stay out of the ZTL. You could stay in a hotel outside of it, preferably with parking, and walk to the city center, or even an agriturismo or country hotel nearby and drive to the city to visit (park outside the ZTL). Parma is small

https://www.accessibilitacentristorici.it/ztl/emilia-romagna/parma/parcheggio_parma/mappa

Park here. Only 10 min walk from the Duomo:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GPvyShEcC5nsdvdE7?g_st=ic

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you for the quick and enlightening responses it makes planning much easier. We will consider the advice on the car for Stresa as well. We were planning on using the train for travel to Brig for the day. I am assuming the disruptions will be all along that line.

Thanks!

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