Trying to combine some Switzerland with a return trip to Lake Como (Varenna) in early September. We’ve been to Montreux and did the Golden Pass to Interlaken 12 years ago, so the initial plan, after 3 nights in Zurich and 4 nights in Luzern, was to take the Bernina Express from Chur (after a night there) to Varenna. Then I tried to fit Zermatt into the plan but the travel time between Zermatt and Lugano/Varenna was way too long, so I nixed that. Now I’m trying to figure out the train schedules from Luzern direct to Lugano, then bus to Menaggio, and boat to Varenna, but that seems like it might be a 5 hour trip. Should I go back to the Bernina Express plan? It seems I’m not the only one to find Swiss train schedules intimidating. Once we’re in Italy I’m more confident making plans. We’ll go to Milan and day-trip to Stresa before flying out of Milan. We want to avoid any rental cars. I’d appreciate any suggestions.
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Seattle, WA
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Rather than Luzern tomLugano and bus from there, you could take the TrenomGottardo, which goes directly from Luzern to Locarno on Lago Maggiore, taking 3 hours total. This train goes over the Alps on the Gotthard Pass route, rather than under them in a long deep tunnel (Gotthard Basistunnel) like the direct trains between Luzern and Lugano. The Treno Gottardomdeparts Luzern every 2 hours at 18 minutes past, like 9:18, 11:18, etc.
We like this route as much as the Bernina Express, and Locarno makes for a nice overnight stop. The lakeside Hotel Geranio au Lac is a 5- minute walk from the train station.
Next day, continue by train to Milano Centrale, changing there to a regional train making the one-hour journey to Varenna.