From Lake Como to Geneva - scenic train ideas

Anonymous · 2023-01-06T20:29:50+01:00

My family and I are flying out of Geneva at the end of our Italian vacation, mostly because I have really strong memories of taking the train from Milan to Lucerne when I was 12. We leave Varenna (Lake Como) on a Wednesday and have a booked 9 am flight from GVA on Friday. I don't have any specific requirements for Switzerland, beyond a train ride that's as scenic as possible and some Swiss chocolate, and maybe some raclette or fondue. We like exploring quaint towns and neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere. As long as I leave Varenna on Wednesday and get to Geneva by early morning on Friday at the latest, I'm good. What would you do with that time? Where would you go and how would you get there?

Short summary – read this first

A traveler shares plans for their family trip from Varenna to Geneva, aiming for a scenic train ride and some Swiss chocolate and cheese. They are flexible on destinations but need to arrive in Geneva by early Friday morning after leaving Varenna on Wednesday. Advice is sought for the best route and experiences along the way.

Key takeaways:

Consider traveling from Varenna to Lugano and then to Geneva via Lucerne for scenic views.
Take the Gotthard Panorama Express if timing allows, as it offers stunning scenery.
Alternatively, travel Varenna - Tirano - Bernina Express - Chur - Zurich - Bern to balance scenic and efficient routes.
For a quaint village experience, stop at Berguen Bravougn on the Albula Railway.

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Anonymous
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83503 posts

6 January 2023 at 20:29:50 #828847

My family and I are flying out of Geneva at the end of our Italian vacation, mostly because I have really strong memories of taking the train from Milan to Lucerne when I was 12. We leave Varenna (Lake Como) on a Wednesday and have a booked 9 am flight from GVA on Friday. I don’t have any specific requirements for Switzerland, beyond a train ride that’s as scenic as possible and some Swiss chocolate, and maybe some raclette or fondue. We like exploring quaint towns and neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere. As long as I leave Varenna on Wednesday and get to Geneva by early morning on Friday at the latest, I’m good.

What would you do with that time? Where would you go and how would you get there?

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Anna
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Reply 1 of 2 • 7 January 2023 at 7:44:32 #949447

Hi staceychev,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

Based on your plans, a sensible route would be to travel from Varenna to Lugano and then continue to Geneva via Lucerne. From Lugano to Lucerne you can either take the local trains or the Gotthard Panorama Express if timing is right. You can check train schedules using the Swiss timetable: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable

regards,

Anna

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Reply 2 of 2 • 7 January 2023 at 13:31:48 #949448

Since you can get quickly direct to Tirano from Varenna, I recommend going Varenna – Tirano – Bernina Express – Chur – Zurich – Ber n – Geneve. This would be a good balance of spectacular scenic trip and a fast inter city ride (still with some good views of the Swiss countryside) to Geneve

For a great small Swiss village experience, stop off at somewhere like Berguen Bravougn on the Albula Railway

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