Varenna to Luzern

I haven’t researched this in awhile so this may be dated info but there are two options that I can think of.

First is the ferry to Menaggio which is just a short ferry ride away. From there you can catch a bus to Lugano and the train from there.

Second, ferry to Como and then train from there.

Either option will likely involve additional transportation bet modes of transportation, ie getting from ferry dock in Como to the train station.

Thanks, Rocket. Not certain yet which way I’ll choose but am leaning toward ferry followed by bus.

Patricia,

The most direct and straight forward method would likely be to take the train to Milano Centrale (1H:03M) and then train from there to Luzern (3H:26M direct train, according to the current schedule). Boat and Bus will mean a longer travel day. IMO, that extra travel time would be better spent in Luzern.

Yes to the first two options:
1) Ferry across lake to Menaggio - local bus to Lugano - train to Luzern
2) Train south to Monza (one stop before Milan). Train Monza - Luzern. Takes 4 hours 4 mins. This route also goes through Lugano, it is longer but faster.

I add another option:
3) Train from Varenna north to Tirano. From there take the Bernina Pass train route to Chur. From Chur more trans to Luzern.
This is definately the slowest route, but instead of going through the Alps in tunnels, you go over the Alps by the famous Bernina Pass route.
Sample timing:

Varenna-Esino dep 09:24, Tirano FS arr 10:52
Tirano dep 11:00, Pontresina arr 12:52
Pontresina dep 13:02, Samedan arr 13:08
Samedan dep 13:16, Chur arr 15:03
Chur dep 15:16, Thalwil arr 16:37
Thalwil dep 16:45, Luzern arr 17:25

I've done the Varenna-Tirano-Bernina Express route (in reverse). Worth every minute. Beautiful.

We took the ferry over to Bellagio to catch the #30 bus (having purchased the tickets the day before at a bar across from the ferry dock). The bus stop is also across from the ferry dock. This bus took us along the coast to Como San Giovanni train station ( dropped us off at the door to the station) where we got on our train to Zurich. ( See www.asfautolinee.it/en for the bus schedule The tickets are very cheap!.) There is also a train that goes to Lucerne. I had investigated the ferry to Mennagio and getting to the train station to go north to Switzerland, but I read that getting from the dock to the train station was a hike, and we had luggage. ( See www.rome2rio.com) It was a lovely ride with views of the Como leg of the lake that we had not seen before. I discovered this option online and received additional info from the hostess at the Varenna hotel. I also had prepurchased the train ticket to Zurich online. Another useful site for train info is www.seat61.com.