My family and I will be in Varenna, Italy for 5 nights (first visit to that area). Is it worth it to spend a day in Lugano? If so, what mode of transportation would you recommend? I would rather take the train but will drive if it's easier. Thank you for your help!
Posted by
Sheboygan, Wisc., USA
934 posts
Post in Italy section.
Posted by
OP
Columbia, TN, USA
8 posts
Oops, sorry about that. I'm new to this so thanks for the suggestion.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Minnie, I suppose a day trip would be feasible, but it would be better to spend one night and a couple of days in Lugano if possible. Travel by train would be the easiest method, but the trip will take 2-3 hours each way. The routing shown on the Trenitalia website seems a bit complicated, and doesn't provide a good choice of departure times. The route that I'd use is a departure from Varenna at 07:37, arriving Milano Centrale at 08:38. There's a departure from there at 09:10, arriving Lugano at 10:10. Total travel time is 2H:33M. On the return trip, there's a train departing Lugano at 19:48, arriving Milano Centrale at 20:50. The last train of the night departs for Varenna at 21:20, arriving Varenna at 22:36. Fares EACH WAY should be about €27. Note that all of the rail times shown are subject to change. If you decide to make a day trip to Lugano, I'd suggest buying all tickets in advance, as the schedule suggested above wouldn't allow any time for visiting ticket offices. There's a Travel Agent just below the station in Varenna, so you might pay them a visit and make all the arrangements. Most of the trains are Regionale, so DON'T forget to validate. Happy travels!