- 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
€15
Average price
€17
Fastest journey
3 h
Average duration
3 h 8 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
138 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Lucerne to Varenna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Lucerne to Varenna will cost around €17 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €15.
Of the 2 buses that leave Lucerne for Varenna on Wed, Aug 19, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 19 the direct buses cover the 138 km distance in an average of 3 h 8 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h .
On Wed, Aug 19 the slowest buses will take 3 h 15 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 bus as it is the most popular option from Lucerne to Varenna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €10. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 58m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €10, and a train costs an average of €23.
Distance: 85 miles (138 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€22 Average price Cheapest | €67 Average price | €89 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 28m Average total duration Fastest 2h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 33m Average total duration 3h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 18m 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 Lucerne to Varenna:
A bus is €45 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Lucerne to Varenna costing on average €67.
Other travel options to Varenna take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 3m.
You'll arrive about 20m sooner (2h 58m by bus vs 3h 18m by car) and save roughly €67 compared to fuel and tolls (€22 vs €89). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by FlixBus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price €15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 3h15 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price €14 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €36 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €16 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €18 |
The table below shows live departures for Lucerne to Varenna buses for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:45 AM Lucerne | 3h15 | 12:00 PM Varenna | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:45 AM Lucerne | 3h00 | 12:45 PM Varenna | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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 Lucerne to Varenna run on average 15 times per day, taking around 2h 58m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €10 if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:56. The fastest bus covers the 85 miles (138 km) distance in 2h 55m.
Distance 85 miles (138 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price €10 |
Buses per day 15 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 2h 55m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:56 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 35 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 Lucerne 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 Lucerne to Varenna buses use the Luzern, Landenburgstrasse (Busparkplatz) to Como, Piazzale San Gottardo (Stazione San Giovanni) station pair. Use this guide to compare Lucerne and Varenna bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Luzern, Landenburgstrasse (Busparkplatz) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Luzern, Landenburgstrasse (Busparkplatz). ATMs are available at Luzern, Landenburgstrasse (Busparkplatz).
Ticket office support is available at Luzern, Landenburgstrasse (Busparkplatz).
Available at Luzern, Landenburgstrasse (Busparkplatz): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luzern, Landenburgstrasse (Busparkplatz): Accessible for individuals with reduced mobility.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need