Travelling to And Around Lake Como
Where is Lake Como
Lake Como is situated in Northern Italy, near Milan (Milano). Lake Como is near the Italian border with the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. A popular holiday destination for tourists from all around the world and a destination for the Milanese and the Swiss alike. The rich and famous are known to have a villa or two in Lake Como.
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Airports in Milan
Below are direct website links to the regional and international airports in Northern Italy located near Milan (Milano) and Lake Como. Lake Como is also situated near the Italian border with the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland.
Milano Bergamo Airport
Orio al Serio International Airport, also known as Milano Bergamo Airport, is part of the Milan metropolitan area’s airport network, alongside Malpensa and Linate.
Aeroporti di Milano Linate
Linate Airport is more central for travellers going to Milan, the regional capital of Lombardia. There is a train service from Milano Centrale to Como on Lake Como.
Milano Malpensa
Malpensa Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 for long-haul travel and Terminal 2 for European and Budget airlines, and is the closest airport to Lake Como.
Travelling by Train to Lake Como
There are two mainline train stations in Como – Como Lago (Como Nord Lago) operated by Trenord and Como San Giovanni operated by Trenitalia. You could use the Regione Lombardia – Public Transport Journey Planner to plan your journey and download the latest rail network route maps.
Como Lago
To get to Como Lago from Malpensa Airport, you first take the train to Saronno and then change platforms for trains bound for Como Lago. The journey from Malpensa Aeroporto to Saronno takes approximately 20 minutes and stops at some local stations.
Como Nord Lago is in Piazza Giacomo Matteotti at the lakefront and across the road from the Como Bus Station. From Como Nord Lago, you can also travel directly into Milano Cadorna (also known as Milano Nord Cadorna) in the heart of Milano. The journey time is approximately 1 hour.
From Como Lago, you can also travel to Milano Centrale railway station. You will need to change at Saronno. The journey time from Saronno to Milano Centrale is approximately 30 minutes.
ChangING at Saronno for Como Lago
At Saronno station, you must disembark and change platforms for a train bound for Como Lago. The journey time from Saronno to Como Lago is approximately 45 minutes.
Tip: At Saronno, always keep hold of your handbags and luggage and ensure your cases are at your side at all times.
All trains travelling to Como Lago usually depart from platform number 2, but always check the departure screens and listen to station announcements (in English) in case of any late changes due to timetable alterations or engineering works.
Train Routes from Como Lago
Malpensa Airport to Como Lago
Below is the train route from Malpensa Airport – Terminal 2 to Como Lago. Trains stop at all stations unless otherwise stated on the timetable:
Malpensa Aeroporto – Terminal 2
Malpensa Aeroporto – Terminal 1
Ferno-Lonate Pozzolo
Busto Arsizio Nord
Castellanza
Rescaldina
Saronno – Change at Saronno for trains bound for Como Lago
Rovello Porro
Rovellasca Manera
Lomazzo
Caslino Al Piano
Cadorago
Fino Mornasco
Portichetto – Luisago
Grandate – Breccia
Como Nord Camerlata
Como Nord Borghi – Università
Como Lago
Como Lago to Milano Cadorna
Below is the train route from Como Lago to Milano Cadorna. Trains stop at all stations unless otherwise stated on the timetable:
Como Lago
Como Nord Borghi – Università
Como Nord Camerlata
Grandate – Breccia
Portichetto – Luisago
Fino Mornasco
Cadorago
Caslino Al Piano
Lomazzo
Rovellasca Manera
Rovello Porro
Saronno
Milano Bovisa Politecnico
Milano Domodossola
Milano Cadorna
Como San Giovanni
Como San Giovanni is located at Piazzale San Gottardo at the top of the hill from Via Corrado e Giullo Venini, just off Via Innocenzo XI. From Como San Giovanni, you can travel to Stazione Centrale Milano in Milan and vice versa.
At the side of Stazione Centrale Milano train station, you will find the connecting bus shuttle services to Malpensa Airport, Linate Airport and Milano Bergamo Airport (Orio al Serio International Airport in Bergamo).
The original station opened in 1875 and forms part of the Milan–Chiasso railway and is also a terminus of the Como–Lecco railway, which branches off the main line a few kilometres (miles) to the south, at Albate-Camerlata.
Canton of Ticino in Switzerland
From Como San Giovanni, you can board the S10 TILO train service to the neighbouring Canton of Ticino in Switzerland.
The train service is operated by SBB CFF FFS. You can go to Mendrisio and visit the FoxTown Factory Stores or travel to the beautiful sights of Lugano or Bellinzona, a World Heritage site.
Tip: Be warned, Italian border guards take it very seriously if anyone is carrying or pretending to carry more than 10,000 euros on their person. Do not suggest, or make funny comments to the guards, as you may be escorted off the train and be aggressively searched. A member of our team had experienced this on two separate occasions and eventually reported the behaviour of the border guards to the authorities in Rome, Switzerland and London.
Train Routes From Como San Giovanni
Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni
Below is the train route to and from Stazione Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni. The train journey time is approximately 40 minutes:
Milano Centrale
Milano Greco Pirelli
Sesto San Giovanni
Monza
Lissone-Muggio
Desio
Camnago-Lentate
Carimate
Cantu – Cermenate
Cucciago
Albate Camerlata
Como San Giovanni
Como San Giovanni to Bellinzona
Below is the train route from Como San Giovanni in Como to Bellinzona in Switzerland:
Como San Giovanni
Chiasso
Balerna
Mendrisio
San Martino (Mendrisio) – Fox Town Factory Stores
Capolago-Riva S. Vitale
Maroggia-Melano
Melide
Lugano Paradiso
Lugano
Lamone-Cadempino
Taverne-Toricella
Mezzovico
Rivera-Bironico
Guibiasco
Bellinzona
Travelling Around Lake Como By Bus
The ASF Autolinee Ticket & Information Office (Autosilo) is located at Piazza Giacomo Matteotti directly opposite the Como Lago railway station and the lake. Two public bus service lines operate from Como: the Urban Line (local) and the Extra-Urban Line (suburban).
The way you purchase bus tickets in Como has changed. A contactless ticket system has now been installed. When you board, you can also pay for your bus journey using your debit card.
Urban Line – Bus Services
The urban line bus services operate local bus routes in and around the centre of Como and nearby towns and are very frequent.
The old-style Urban buses are coloured orange, and the new-style buses are green, white and blue. When you board the bus, validate your journey by touching the green validating machine at the front of the bus, near the driver, with a debit card or e-TIC ticket.
Extra Urban Line – Bus Services
The extra-urban buses have the letter ‘C’ (e.g. C130 to Bellagio or C140 to Bergamo) and are mainly blue. The Extra-Urban Line bus services usually terminate and embark from or near the Como Bus Station. They travel to adjoining towns, communes, and provinces.
A great way to see the mountains and small towns dotted alongside Lake Como. Please check the ASF Autolinee website for further information.
In June 2025, the ASF Autolinee carried out a reorganisation program and changed the numbering convention of certain bus routes across the provinces of Como, Lecco and Varese. This may take up to a year to fully implement. Bus routes, fares and conditions of use remain unchanged. Click here for further information.
Below is an approximate guide to journey times:
Argegno – 40 minutes – C110 and C120
Bellagio – 40 minutes – a picturesque town – C130
Bergamo – 2 hours – a historical town – C146
Cernobbio – 15 minutes – Villa D’Este Grand Hotel – 6 and C110
Lecco – 1 hour 45 minutes – the other side of Lake Como – C140
Lenno – 1 hour 5 minutes – near Villa del Balbianello – C110
Tremezzo – 60 minutes – visit Villa Carlotta – C120
Travelling Around Lake Como by Boat
Navigazione Biglietteria
In the City of Como, the new Navigazione Biglietteria (ticket and information office) is opposite Piazza Cavour on Lungo Lario Trento. You can buy boat tickets and get further information from English-speaking staff.
Travelling by boat is a relaxing and enjoyable way to see the picturesque sights, historic villas, and towns along the shores of Lake Como. The public boat services on Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda and Lake Como began around 1826-1827. And since 1957, the Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi has been running public boat services on the three Lakes: Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore.
Pick up a free copy of the Lago di Como Orario in Vigore, an essential travel guide, and a timetable for public boat services on Lake Como. Also, you can buy day passes which allow you to hop on and off at different places along Lake Como.
The Navigazione Laghi – Como website contains interactive maps with points of interest, recommended routes, timetables, and you can purchase boat tickets online.
Types of Boat Services
The Rapido (fast) boat service uses hydrofoil vessels. To return to Como much quicker, you can buy an additional ticket (top-up) to travel back on the Rapido boat service.
The Batello (slow) boat service is ideal for sightseeing, and some boat services offer light refreshments and lunch on board. The Concordia (circa 1926) and the Milano are both old working paddle steamers and a joy to see still in operation.
Tip: It is advisable to take a boat back to Como around 16:30 and arrive back in Como around 18:00.The price of tickets may initially seem expensive – but if you travel to Lenno, Menaggio, Bellagio, or even further for a whole day of sightseeing – the cost of a return boat ticket seems much more worthwhile.
During the Summer, the Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi provides Saturday Night Cruises (dinner and dance with live music). It is advisable to check the Ticket & Information Office or the website if these services are available when you travel to Lake Como.
The Funicular In Como
The Funicular Como-Brunate connects the City of Como (Como) with the Comune of Brunate. The Funicular has been in operation since 1894. The entrance in Como is at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, a five-minute walk from the Como Bus Station along Via Torno.
It takes approximately 7 minutes to reach the top of Brunate, a small, picturesque, peaceful town at 750 metres above sea level. At Brunate, you can walk to San Maurizio, which is 906 metres above sea level, and visit the famous Voltian Beacon (lighthouse) built in 1927.
Disclaimer – Any reference made here to trades or services does not constitute an endorsement of them by Como Lake Como.