- Recommended
Casa Museo di Villa Monastero
House museum within Villa Monastero presenting period interiors, collections, and the villa's history. A strong cultural complement to the celebrated gardens.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
€40
Average ticket price on Sep 19
€40
Fastest journey on Sep 19
6 h 25 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
6 h 25 m
Buses on Sep 19
1
Distance
216 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from La Spezia to Varenna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from La Spezia to Varenna will cost around €40 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €40.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 1 buses from La Spezia to Varenna, including 1 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct buses cover the 216 km distance in an average of 6 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 25 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest buses will take 6 h 25 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from La Spezia to Varenna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of €32 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 10m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €32, while a bus costs an average of €54.
Distance: 134 miles (216 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€54 Average price | €32 Average price Cheapest | €76 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 50m Average total duration 5h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 10m Average total duration Fastest 4h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from La Spezia to Varenna:
A train is €22 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from La Spezia to Varenna costing on average €54.
Other travel options to Varenna take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 20m.
Tickets start at around €54 compared to roughly €76 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €22. The journey takes 5h 20m versus 3h 24m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 09:50AM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 08:55PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price €32 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 09:55PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €32 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:05PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 10:55PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price €26 |
The table below shows live departures for La Spezia to Varenna buses for tomorrow, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:05 PM La Spezia | 6h25 | 10:30 PM Varenna | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from La Spezia to Varenna run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €24 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:02, the last at 20:55. The fastest bus covers the 134 miles (216 km) distance in 4h 30m.
Distance 134 miles (216 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price €24 |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 4h 30m |
First bus 1:02 AM |
Last bus 8:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 84 days |
Discover the best of Varenna — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Varenna trip today.
House museum within Villa Monastero presenting period interiors, collections, and the villa's history. A strong cultural complement to the celebrated gardens.
Historic villa interiors with decorative rooms and art displays inside one of Lake Como's most famous residences. Ideal for architecture and heritage enthusiasts.
Botanical and decorative heritage experience in the Villa Cipressi complex, where landscaped terraces and historic structures create an open-air cultural visit.
Famous lakeside promenade suspended along the waterfront. Easy, photogenic, and ideal for first views of Varenna's colorful houses and the central lake.
Old harbor area with boats, pastel façades, and one of Varenna's most photographed perspectives. Best for atmosphere, walking, and sunset views.
Terraced botanical gardens descending to the lake, celebrated for cypresses, exotic plants, and elegant viewpoints. One of Varenna's signature scenic walks.
Buckwheat pasta ribbons with butter, cabbage, potatoes and local cheese. A classic dish of nearby Valtellina, long loved around Lake Como for hearty alpine comfort.
Small buckwheat dumplings mixed with greens and bread, then baked with butter and cheese. Traditional mountain fare eaten across the Lake Como area.
Crisp fried buckwheat fritters with a melted cheese center, usually Casera. A beloved Valtellina specialty often served as a starter near Lake Como.
Elegant lakeside fine dining known for refined Italian cuisine, tasting menus and a romantic setting inside Hotel Royal Victoria.
Popular lakeside venue with polished service, seafood, risotto and scenic terrace views. A strong choice for a leisurely meal in central Varenna.
Well-known traditional restaurant in Varenna serving lake fish, pasta and regional dishes in a historic, relaxed setting near the waterfront.
Moderate for Lake Como: stays and lakefront dining cost more than inland towns, but ferries and simple meals remain manageable.
Service is often included or covered by coperto. Round up or leave 5-10% for great restaurant service; small change for cafes; taxis are usually rounded up.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from La Spezia to Varenna by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Varenna, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most La Spezia to Varenna buses use the La Spezia, Via Giosuè Carducci to Como, Piazzale San Gottardo (Stazione San Giovanni) station pair. Use this guide to compare La Spezia and Varenna bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need