- Recommended
Galleria d’Arte Villa Monastero
Art and exhibition spaces inside Villa Monastero, combining temporary displays with the historic villa setting and lakefront gardens.
Cheapest price
$57
Average price
$100
Fastest journey
2 h 12 m
Average duration
2 h 15 m
Trains per day
30
Distance
161 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Zurich to Varenna is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Zurich to Varenna will cost around $100 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $57.
It's difficult to get from Zurich to Varenna without transferring at least once.
EuroCity 27+
Regionale TRENORD 2844
EuroCity 25+
Regionale TRENORD 2842
EuroCity 23+
Regionale TRENORD 2838
IC 2 873 | 873 · B 4 4156 | 4156
EuroCity 151+
Regionale TRENORD 2832
EC 15 | 15 · B 2 2109 | 2109
EC 19 | 19 · B 2 2141 | 2141
IR 46 2413 | 2413 · IC 21 663 | 663 · B 4 4076 | 4076
IR 46 2417 | 2417 · IC 21 667 | 667 · B 4 4108 | 4108
IR 46 2421 | 2421 · IC 21 671 | 671 · B 4 4140 | 4140Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Zurich to Varenna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 49m. 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 bus costs an average of $12, and a flight costs an average of $75.
Distance: 100 miles (161 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$88 Average price | $26 Average price Cheapest | $218 Average price | $112 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 1m Average total duration 4h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 19m Average total duration Fastest 2h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 18m Average total duration 9h 18m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 53m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Zurich to Varenna:
A bus is $62 (€50) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Varenna costing on average $88 (€71).
A bus is $191 (€155) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Varenna costing on average $218 (€176).
Other travel options to Varenna take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 31m.
Flight takes on average 9h 18m.
Tickets start at around $88 (€71) compared to roughly $112 (€91) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $24 (€20). The journey takes 4h 31m versus 3h 53m 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 Zurich to Varenna trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IR 46 2413 | 2413 · IC 21 663 | 663 · B 4 4076 | 4076 | 8:05 AM Zurich HB | 2h17 | 10:22 AM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
S 9 18933 | 18933 · EC 15 | 15 · B 2 2109 | 2109 | 9:16 AM Zürich Oerlikon | 2h29 | 11:45 AM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
S 5 18533 | 18533 · EC 15 | 15 · B 2 2109 | 2109 | 9:16 AM Zurich Altstetten | 2h29 | 11:45 AM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
S 6 18633 | 18633 · IR 75 2112 | 2112 · S 2 21235 | 21235 · IC 21 667 | 667 | 9:21 AM Zürich Oerlikon | 3h01 | 12:22 PM Varenna | 4 transfers | |
EC 15 | 15 · B 2 2109 | 2109 | 9:33 AM Zurich HB | 2h12 | 11:45 AM Varenna | 1 transfer | |
EuroCity 15+ Regionale TRENORD 2826 | 9:33 AM Zurich HB | 4h51 | 2:24 PM Varenna-esino | 1 transfer | |
IR 75 2112 | 2112 · S 2 21235 | 21235 · IC 21 667 | 667 · B 4 4108 | 4108 | 9:35 AM Zurich HB | 2h47 | 12:22 PM Varenna | 3 transfers | |
S 5 18535 | 18535 · IR 46 2417 | 2417 · IC 21 667 | 667 · B 4 4108 | 4108 | 9:46 AM Zurich Altstetten | 2h36 | 12:22 PM Varenna | 3 transfers | |
S 6 18635 | 18635 · IR 46 2417 | 2417 · IC 21 667 | 667 · B 4 4108 | 4108 | 9:51 AM Zürich Oerlikon | 2h31 | 12:22 PM Varenna | 3 transfers | |
IR 46 2417 | 2417 · IC 21 667 | 667 · B 4 4108 | 4108 | 10:05 AM Zurich HB | 2h17 | 12:22 PM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
S 5 18541 | 18541 · EC 19 | 19 · B 2 2141 | 2141 | 11:16 AM Zurich Altstetten | 2h29 | 1:45 PM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
S 9 18941 | 18941 · EC 19 | 19 · B 2 2141 | 2141 | 11:16 AM Zürich Oerlikon | 2h29 | 1:45 PM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
S 6 18641 | 18641 · IR 75 2116 | 2116 · S 2 21243 | 21243 · IC 21 671 | 671 | 11:21 AM Zürich Oerlikon | 3h01 | 2:22 PM Varenna | 4 transfers | |
EuroCity 19+ Regionale TRENORD 2830 | 11:33 AM Zurich HB | 4h51 | 4:24 PM Varenna-esino | 1 transfer | |
EC 19 | 19 · B 2 2141 | 2141 | 11:33 AM Zurich HB | 2h12 | 1:45 PM Varenna | 1 transfer | |
IR 75 2116 | 2116 · S 2 21243 | 21243 · IC 21 671 | 671 · B 4 4140 | 4140 | 11:35 AM Zurich HB | 2h47 | 2:22 PM Varenna | 3 transfers | |
S 5 18543 | 18543 · IR 46 2421 | 2421 · IC 21 671 | 671 · B 4 4140 | 4140 | 11:46 AM Zurich Altstetten | 2h36 | 2:22 PM Varenna | 3 transfers | |
S 6 18643 | 18643 · IR 46 2421 | 2421 · IC 21 671 | 671 · B 4 4140 | 4140 | 11:51 AM Zürich Oerlikon | 2h31 | 2:22 PM Varenna | 3 transfers | |
IR 46 2421 | 2421 · IC 21 671 | 671 · B 4 4140 | 4140 | 12:05 PM Zurich HB | 2h17 | 2:22 PM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
EuroCity 151+ Regionale TRENORD 2832 | 12:33 PM Zurich HB | 4h51 | 5:24 PM Varenna-esino | 1 transfer | |
S 5 18547 | 18547 · IC 2 873 | 873 · B 4 4156 | 4156 | 12:46 PM Zurich Altstetten | 2h36 | 3:22 PM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
S 6 18647 | 18647 · IC 2 873 | 873 · B 4 4156 | 4156 | 12:51 PM Zürich Oerlikon | 2h31 | 3:22 PM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
IC 2 873 | 873 · B 4 4156 | 4156 | 1:05 PM Zurich HB | 2h17 | 3:22 PM Varenna | 1 transfer | |
EuroCity 21+ Regionale TRENORD 2834 | 1:33 PM Zurich HB | 4h51 | 6:24 PM Varenna-esino | 1 transfer | |
S 5 18553 | 18553 · EC 37 | 37 · B 4 4178 | 4178 | 2:16 PM Zurich Altstetten | 2h37 | 4:53 PM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
S 9 18953 | 18953 · EC 37 | 37 · B 4 4178 | 4178 | 2:16 PM Zürich Oerlikon | 2h37 | 4:53 PM Varenna | 2 transfers | |
EC 37 | 37 · B 4 4178 | 4178 | 2:33 PM Zurich HB | 2h20 | 4:53 PM Varenna | 1 transfer | |
EuroCity 23+ Regionale TRENORD 2838 | 3:33 PM Zurich HB | 4h51 | 8:24 PM Varenna-esino | 1 transfer | |
EuroCity 25+ Regionale TRENORD 2842 | 5:33 PM Zurich HB | 4h51 | 10:24 PM Varenna-esino | 1 transfer | |
EuroCity 27+ Regionale TRENORD 2844 | 6:33 PM Zurich HB | 4h51 | 11:24 PM Varenna-esino | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight 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 Zurich to Varenna run on average 13 times per day, taking around 4h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $59 (€47) but you can travel from only $12 (€10) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:35, the last at 21:27. The fastest train covers the 100 miles (161 km) distance in 2h 4m.
Distance 100 miles (161 km) |
Average train duration 4h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price $59 (€47) |
Trains per day 13 |
Fastest train 2h 4m |
First train 12:35 AM |
Last train 9:27 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Varenna — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Varenna trip today.
Art and exhibition spaces inside Villa Monastero, combining temporary displays with the historic villa setting and lakefront gardens.
Specialized museum dedicated to traditional boats of Lake Como, notable for preserving local nautical heritage in nearby Pianello del Lario, often visited from Varenna.
Historic house museum interiors at Villa Monastero with furnished rooms and decor reflecting the villa’s transformation from monastery to lakeside residence.
Famous lakeside walkway linking the ferry area and the historic center, one of Varenna’s most photographed and instantly recognizable strolls.
The compact historic center with stone lanes, stairways, and colorful houses is the heart of the village and ideal for wandering without a plan.
Long linear botanical gardens on the lakefront with statues, exotic plants, and iconic viewpoints, among the most refined outdoor spaces in Varenna.
Creamy risotto topped with lightly fried Lake Como perch fillets, one of the area’s signature dishes and a classic of lakeside trattorias.
Traditional salted and sun-dried agoni fish from Lake Como, usually grilled and served with polenta; a historic local specialty.
Rich mountain-style polenta finished with local butter, cheese, garlic, and sage, typical of the Lake Como and Lombardy area.
Established restaurant on a charming square, known for refined Italian cuisine, lake fish dishes, and a romantic setting.
Elegant hotel restaurant with panoramic lake views, offering polished Italian cooking and a more upscale dining experience.
Well-known wine bar and restaurant in Varenna, appreciated for regional dishes, cheese and charcuterie, and an intimate atmosphere.
Lake Como is pricier than many Italian towns. Hotels and lakefront dining cost more, but cafés and simple meals are manageable.
Service is often included or covered by a coperto. Tipping is not required, but leaving EUR 1-2 at cafés or 5-10% for great restaurant service is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Varenna-Esino, Varenna -> Varenna Ferry Terminal, Varenna
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Zurich to Varenna 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 Varenna, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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