- 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
$4
Average price
$5
Fastest journey
20 m
Average duration
43 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
61 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Milan to Varenna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Milan to Varenna will cost around $5 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $4.
Of the 4 buses that leave Milan for Varenna on Sat, Aug 01, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Aug 01 the direct buses cover the 61 km distance in an average of 43 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 20 m .
On Sat, Aug 01 the slowest buses will take 1 h 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 Milan to Varenna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $9. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 5m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $9, and a bus costs an average of $9.
Distance: 37 miles (61 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$9 Average price | $9 Average price Cheapest | $25 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 39m Average total duration 1h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 35m Average total duration Fastest 1h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 22m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Milan to Varenna:
A train is $0.02 (€0.02) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Milan to Varenna costing on average $9 (€8).
Other travel options to Varenna take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 9m.
You'll arrive about 13m sooner (1h 9m by bus vs 1h 22m by car) and save roughly $15 (€13) compared to fuel and tolls ($9 (€8) vs $25 (€20)). 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 BlaBlaCar.
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 BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 11:20AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:10PM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:10PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
The table below shows live departures for Milan to Varenna buses for tomorrow, Saturday, August 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:50 AM Milan | 0h50 | 8:40 AM Varenna | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:50 AM Milan | 0h40 | 12:30 PM Varenna | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 12:10 PM Milan | 1h00 | 1:10 PM Varenna | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:30 PM Milan | 0h20 | 6:50 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 Milan to Varenna run on average 19 times per day, taking around 1h 9m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $9 (€7) but you can travel from only $9 (€7) by train.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:14, the last at 23:47. The fastest bus covers the 37 miles (61 km) distance in 1h 33m.
Distance 37 miles (61 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price $9 (€7) |
Buses per day 19 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 1h 33m |
First bus 12:14 AM |
Last bus 11:47 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Thu |
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 Milan 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need