Transportation from Varenna, Italy to Lugano, Switzerland

Check the trains from Varenna-Esino on trenitalia.com, but enter a day of travel before March 31

Define best? Trains can be an option, but another option is to take the ferry to Menaggio and then the bus to Lugano.

We are looking for the most efficient mode of transportation from Varenna, Italy to Lugano, Switzerland. We read about the ferry and bus option. We are wondering if hiring a driver might be a good option, since there are 6 of us.

Definitely opt for either ferry+bus, or ferry+driver meeting you in Menaggio - but no idea how to arrange that, and a van that fits 6+driver+luggage isn't always an easy find.
The bus is cheap, and hourly or so during the day. It only takes an hour to Lugano from Menaggio.

If you Google “Varenna car service” you will see lots of options. This is one example:

https://www.varennatransfers.com/

The van looks like a Mercedes Metris, normally an 8-passenger van, but you would have to ask if that will carry 6 pax plus luggage. Or look for a car service from Menaggio, but you would have to get yourselves and luggage on and off the ferry.

Train to Monza or Milano and from there to Lugano would be a lot less expensive.

I agree with Lola - get to Milan and have a driver meet you at Centrale. Train fare is cheap between these towns and will probably lower your driver cost. 6 people plus luggage may be a bit much for a single transport, though.

slower so probably less "best" but most scenic could be a ferry to Como and a short walk to the station, then one or two stops to Lugano. Local trains will also stop at Paradiso on the south side of Lugano.

A bit longer for sure, but the full length of the lower half of the lake at boat speed - beautiful

This private car service is in Lenno, just south of Menaggio. If you decide on a private car, rather than the bus, you are better off if you take the ferry to Menaggio and have the limo driver meet you there, otherwise from Varenna they have to ferry the car across to Menaggio and it costs more money.

http://www.autoservizisoldarini.com/en/

I’ve driven from Menaggio to Lugano è few times. It’s a 45 min drive, much of which under a tunnel, unless you ask the driver to take the more scenic old road along lake Lugano.

I agree with Lola - get to Milan

I'm sure you have looked at a map and you meant get to Menaggio.

Cindy,

The easiest and cheapest way for travel from Varenna to Lugano would be to take the train. Travel time is as short as 2H:23M (depending on which train you choose). Using a tentative date of 15 March, the schedule shows a departure at 10:35, arriving 12:58 (one change in Monza). I believe that's a Regionale train, so no reservations required, but don't forget to validate your tickets if you bought them locally, prior to boarding.

Check the Trenitalia website closer to your departure date for all the details.

Actually the bus is faster. Less than one hour vs 2.5 hours with the train. The bus ticket is less than $10.

Roberto,

Good info! I didn't check the Bus as trains are usually my preferred transportation method. I do travel by Bus on occasion but prefer trains as they have more room and more comfortable.