- Must visit
Museo dell'Abbazia di San Fruttuoso
Abbey museum in a secluded bay with historic interiors, cloisters, and monastic collections. It is one of the region’s most atmospheric cultural sites.
Cheapest price
€20
Average price
€20
Fastest journey
4 h 8 m
Average duration
4 h 8 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
190 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Varenna to Portofino is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Varenna to Portofino will cost around €20 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €20.
Of the 1 trains that leave Varenna for Portofino on Wed, Aug 26, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 26 the direct trains cover the 190 km distance in an average of 4 h 8 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 8 m .
On Wed, Aug 26 the slowest trains will take 4 h 8 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 Varenna to Portofino among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €21. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 19m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €21, and a flight costs an average of €115.
Distance: 118 miles (190 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€29 Average price Cheapest | €453 Average price | €46 Average price | €41 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 32m Average total duration 4h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 19m Average total duration Fastest 3h 19m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 40m Average total duration 4h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 25m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Varenna to Portofino:
A train is €18 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Varenna to Portofino costing on average €46.
A train is €424 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Varenna to Portofino costing on average €453.
Other travel options to Portofino take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 2m.
Bus takes on average 4h 10m.
Tickets start at around €29 compared to roughly €41 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €13. The journey takes 4h 2m versus 3h 25m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Varenna to Portofino trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:09 PM Varenna | 4h08 | 9:17 PM Portofino | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, flight, 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.
Trains from Varenna to Portofino run on average 24 times per day, taking around 4h 2m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €21 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:51, the last at 19:35. The fastest train covers the 118 miles (190 km) distance in 3h 10m.
Distance 118 miles (190 km) |
Average train duration 4h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price €21 |
Trains per day 24 |
Fastest train 3h 10m |
First train 4:51 AM |
Last train 7:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Discover the best of Portofino — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Portofino trip today.
Abbey museum in a secluded bay with historic interiors, cloisters, and monastic collections. It is one of the region’s most atmospheric cultural sites.
Museum inside Portofino’s hilltop castle with exhibitions on local history and culture, plus one of the best panoramic terraces in the village.
Museum area at the nearby Giannettino Luxoro villa with decorative arts and historic interiors. It is a refined lesser-known cultural stop on the coast.
Portofino’s famous harbor square lined with colorful buildings. It is the essential place to stroll, sit, and absorb the village atmosphere.
Scenic waterfront promenade around the harbor with postcard views of boats and facades. It is ideal for a short classic Portofino walk.
Popular path linking Portofino to San Fruttuoso through Portofino Natural Park. It rewards walkers with forest, cliffs, and sea views.
Traditional Genoese basil sauce with pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano and olive oil, usually served with trofie. A Ligurian icon eaten throughout the Portofino area.
Thin savory chickpea pancake baked in a hot oven. Popular across Liguria as a simple street food and naturally free of gluten ingredients.
Fresh ravioli filled with wild herbs, greens and ricotta, often served with butter, sage or light sauce. A classic festive pasta from the Ligurian coast.
Elegant Michelin-starred dining at Splendido with refined Ligurian tasting menus and panoramic Riviera views in a historic luxury hotel setting.
Waterfront fine dining in the harbor, known for fresh seafood, classic Ligurian dishes and polished service with iconic Portofino scenery.
Stylish restaurant and wine bar near the marina, serving seafood, pasta and Ligurian plates in a relaxed but polished setting.
Portofino is pricier than many Italian coastal towns, with high hotel rates, upscale dining, and premium waterfront cafés; transit costs are moderate.
Service may be included via coperto or servizio. Round up or leave 5-10% for great restaurant service; round up taxi fares; small change is fine at cafés.
Official public transport app
Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino -> Piazza Martiri Dell'Olivetta, Portofino
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Varenna to Portofino by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Portofino, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Varenna to Portofino trains use the Varenna-esino to Rapallo station pair. Use this guide to compare Varenna and Portofino train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Varenna-esino has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Varenna-esino.
Ticket office support is available at Varenna-esino. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Available at Varenna-esino: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Varenna-esino: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Varenna-esino: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Olivedo, Albergo Milano, Hotel du Lac.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need