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Timeline and Must See Help for Varenna to Lucerne to Murren

Posted by (Mississauga, Ontario) on

We are planning a trip to Switzerland May 2018 with about 8 days to travel. After flying into Milan, we're planning on taking the train to Varenna. Then from Varenna making our way to Bellinzona to take the Gotthard Panorama Express scenic train to Lucerne. From Lucerne we want to go to Murren, and then eventually fly out of Zurich.

How much time would you recommend spending in Varenna? Is it worthwhile staying overnight in Lucerne, or should we add an extra night to our time in Murren? Any accommodation recommendations and must-see places in these locations?

As well, does anyone know the route to get from Varenna to Bellinzona? When I had looked it up before it seemed to be a ferry from Varenna to Menaggio, bus from Menaggio to Lugano, then bus/train from Lugano to Bellinzona? But I'm foggy on the details. Has anyone recently done this route?

Posted by
8889 posts

the route to get from Varenna to Bellinzona? When I had looked it up before it seemed to be a ferry from Varenna to Menaggio, bus from Menaggio to Lugano, then bus/train from Lugano to Bellinzona?

That is one way, though it may be quicker to go from Varenna to Milan, and then direct from Milan to Bellinzona.
The route north from Milan is:
Milan - Como town - Chiasso (Swiss border) - Lugano - Bellinzona - Gotthard route
You should be able to pick up the route at any point.

Posted by
4 posts

Is there ANY easy or clear way to get from Varenna to Bellinzona or vice versa?

Posted by
8889 posts

Is there ANY easy or clear way to get from Varenna to Bellinzona or vice versa?

No (look at a map):
1) There is a lake in the way (Lake Como)
2) Once you cross the lake the only road takes you to Lugano, you then need to catch the train north to Bellinzona.
The easiest way is via Milan, but that is a V-shaped trip.
The Alps are rather large mountains (stating the obvious), and limit which routes are possible.

Posted by
4 posts

@ChrisF Yeah, I've been over it a few times and though a ferry and bus/train is recommended (through Menaggio) I'm afraid we will be dancing around too many schedules and directly through Milan (though it's round about) might be the simplest.

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