Travelling to Lake Como
Airports In Milan
Below are the 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 Switzerland.
Milano Bergamo Airport
Orio al Serio International Airport, known as Milano Bergamo Airport is part of the airport network of the Milan metropolitan area, 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 link from Milano Centrale train station to Como at Lake Como.
Aeroporti di Milano Malpensa
Malpensa Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 for long-haul travel and Terminal 2 for European and Budget airlines – a direct route by train to Como at 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.
Change 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 hand luggage and ensure your cases are at your side at all times.
Normally all trains travelling to Como Nord Lago 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.
Malpensa Airport – Como Lago
Below is the train route from Malpensa Airport – Terminal 2 to Como Lago. Trains stop at all stations unless otherwise stated on 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 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 visa 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).
Canton of Ticino in Switzerland
From Como San Giovanni you can travel to the neighbouring Canton of Ticino in Switzerland and the train service is operated by SBB CFF FFS.
Tip: Do not forget your passport and check before travelling if you need a visa.
At Como San Giovanni train station board the S10 TILO train service 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, the Italian border guards take seriously anyone carrying 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.
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 By Bus Around Lake Como
The ASF Autolinee Ticket & Information Office (Autosilo) is located at Piazza Giacomo Matteotti directly opposite the Como Lago railway station and Lake. Two public bus service lines operate from Como, the urban line (local) and the extra-urban line (suburban).
Bus tickets can be purchased at tobacconists, bars, and hotel receptions.
If you plan to return to Como by bus, you are advised to buy return bus tickets.
Tip: You are strongly advised to purchase your bus tickets before boarding a bus.
You can pay for a ticket on the bus, but this is more expensive and dependent on the bus driver having enough change, usually at their discretion.
In Italy, many shops are closed in the afternoon for at least two to three hours, so, trying to find a shop or bar selling bus tickets may not be easy.
A contactless ticket system has been installed and you can use your debit card.
Urban Line Bus Services
The Urban buses are usually orange in colour. A carnet (book) of 11 urban bus tickets Carnet 11 Viaggi Rette Urbana will cost €15.00 for travelling in and around Como.
Bus Ticket Validation
The ticket is valid for up to 75 minutes after the date and time it is validated on board the bus and via the ticket validating machine located near the front of the bus and can be used to make other bus local bus journeys.
If you use the ticket again with the 75 minutes you will need to stamp the ticket in the ticket machine.
The urban line bus services operate local bus routes in and around the centre of Como and nearby towns.
Extra Urban Bus
The extra-urban buses have the letter ‘C’ (e.g. C30 to Bellagio or C40 to Bergamo) and are mainly blue. The extra-urban line bus service lines usually terminate and embark from or near the Como Bus Station. They go to adjoining towns, communes, and provinces.
Scenic Bus Route
A great way to see Lake at its best is to take any bus route from the Bus Station and see the mountains and towns alongside Lake Como. All journey times are an approximate guide:
Argegno – 40 minutes – C10 and C20
Bellagio – 40 minutes – a picturesque town – C30
Bergamo – 2 hours – a historical town – C46
Cernobbio – 15 minutes – Villa D’Este Grand Hotel – 6 and C10
Lecco – 1 hour 45 minutes – the other side of Lake Como – C40
Lenno – 1 hour 5 minutes – near Villa del Balbianello – C10
Tremezzo – 60 minutes – visit Villa Carlotta – C20
Travelling Around Lake Como by Boat
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.
Since 1957 the Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi has been running public boat services on the three Lakes; Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore.
Navigazione Laghi – Lago Di Como
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.
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 has produced an app for your smartphone to download called DreamLake, it has interactive maps with points of interest, recommended routes and timetables, and the ability to purchase boat tickets online via their website.
The Western Arm of Lake Como
Visitors to Lake Como tend to travel by boat on the Western Arm of Lake Como. From the City of Como are and are; Starting from the centre of Como the boats travel routes to Tavernola, Cernobbio, Blevio, Moltrasio, Faggerto Lario, Urio, Pognana Lario, Careno, Brienno, Nesso, Argegno, Lezzeno, Colonno, Sala Comacina, Isola Comachina, Campo, Lenno, Tremezzo, S. Giovanni, Villa Carlotta, Cadenabbia, Bellagio and finishing at Menaggio.
Types of Boat Services
The Rapido (fast) boat service is hydrofoil vessels. To return to the 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 lunches 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 and include; dinner and dance with live music. It is advisable to check at the Ticket & Information Office or the website.
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 and is 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.You can also see a panoramic view across Como and the skyline. If you intend to travel to Brunate in the evening, check the time of the last cable car to leave Brunate to return to the City of Como. Tip: It is always advisable to check the Funicular Como-Brunate website before travelling in case of any sudden closures or changes to the service and daily timetable.
