- Must visit
Villa Monastero
Historic villa museum with furnished rooms, lakefront gardens and exhibitions that reveal centuries of life on Lake Como.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Merano to Varenna among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £54 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 28m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £54, while a train costs an average of £55.
Distance: 161 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£55 Average Price | £54 Average Price Cheapest | £33 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 28m Average total duration Fastest 4h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 45m Average total duration 13h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Merano to Varenna:
A coach is £1 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Merano to Varenna costing on average £55.
Other travel options to Varenna take longer:
Coach takes on average 13h 15m.
Tickets start at around £55 compared to roughly £33 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-21.69. The journey takes 4h 58m versus 4h 3m 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 Merano to Varenna trains for today, Saturday 5 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:46 Merano | 5h38 | 11:24 Varenna | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach 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.
Trains from Merano to Varenna run on average 2 times per day, taking around 4h 58m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £55 but you can travel from only £54 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 06:18, the last at 15:35. The fastest train covers the 161 km distance in 5h 38m.
Distance 161 km |
Average train duration 4h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price £55 |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 5h 38m |
First train 6:18 |
Last train 15:35 |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Discover the best of Varenna — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Varenna trip today.
Historic villa museum with furnished rooms, lakefront gardens and exhibitions that reveal centuries of life on Lake Como.
Elegant villa museum with period interiors and botanical gardens, popular for refined architecture and broad lake views.
Castle site with display spaces and historic remains, combining medieval architecture with cultural exhibits and panoramic terraces.
Lakeside promenade on a suspended walkway, famous for close water views and one of Varenna’s most photographed strolls.
Green lakefront garden at Villa Monastero with exotic plants, statues and superb views along a long waterside path.
Terraced botanical gardens around a historic villa, admired for elegant planting, steps and excellent lake panoramas.
Buckwheat pasta ribbons from nearby Valtellina, traditionally dressed with potatoes, cabbage, butter and Casera cheese. A hallmark mountain dish of the Lake Como area.
Polenta enriched with local cheese and butter until soft and creamy. A classic Lombard comfort dish served across the lake and mountain villages.
Air-dried beef from Valtellina, sliced thin and usually served with olive oil, lemon and rocket. It is a prized Alpine speciality popular around Lake Como.
Romantic lakeside restaurant focusing on seafood, risotto and polished Italian cooking, popular for sunset meals by the water.
Elegant dining room with lake views, serving refined Italian dishes, seafood and regional specialities in a polished hotel setting.
Traditional lakefront restaurant known for Lake Como fish, pasta and a relaxed terrace setting in the heart of Varenna.
Moderate for Lake Como. Hotels and lakefront dining are pricier than inland towns, but ferries and simple meals remain manageable for most visitors.
Service is often included or rounded in. Restaurants: round up or leave 5-10% for good service. Cafés: small change. Taxis: round up the fare.
Official public transport app
Varenna-Esino -> Piazza San Giorgio, Varenna
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Merano 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.

Most Merano to Varenna trains use the Meran Untermais Merano-Maia Bassa to Varenna-esino station pair. Use this guide to compare Merano and Varenna train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Meran Untermais Merano-Maia Bassa is 1 km from Merano city centre. Public transport options include:
Meran Untermais Merano-Maia Bassa has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Meran Untermais Merano-Maia Bassa.
ATMs are available at Meran Untermais Merano-Maia Bassa.
Available at Meran Untermais Merano-Maia Bassa: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Meran Untermais Merano-Maia Bassa: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Meran Untermais Merano-Maia Bassa.
Merano Meran has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Forst, Bistro 7
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Merano Meran. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Merano Meran. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Merano Meran: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Merano Meran: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Merano Meran: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Europa Splendid, Hotel Terme Merano, City Hotel Merano.
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