Lake Como boat tours compared, from the public ferry to private boats
A central lake ferry day pass costs €17.50, shared tours start around €35 an hour. How public ferries, shared tours, private boats and rentals compare.
Lake Como travel guide for first-time visitors
Lake Como is 40 to 65 minutes from Milan by direct train. Where it is, which towns to visit, when to go and where to stay on your first trip.
Quick answer
Lake Como is north of Milan, 40 to 65 minutes away by direct train. For a first visit, aim for the central lake, where Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio are 15 minutes apart by ferry, and go between late March and early November.
Where Lake Como is and how to get there from Milan
Three direct train routes leave Milan for the lake. Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni takes about 40 minutes. Milano Cadorna to Como Nord Lago takes about 60 minutes and stops on the lakefront next to the ferry piers. Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino takes 64 to 65 minutes and puts you in the central lake. A one-way ticket costs about €5 to Como and €7.40 to Varenna (2nd class, checked 5 October 2026).
Our Lake Como day trip from Milan guide covers the trains, ferry tickets and a full sample route.
Lake Como towns to visit first
Varenna is the easiest stop by train, because it has its own station on the line from Milano Centrale. Villa Monastero, a house museum with a botanical garden, is here.
Bellagio is across the water from Varenna, 15 minutes away by ferry. It has no train station. The Villa Melzi gardens are open until 1 November.
Menaggio is on the same central lake ferry pass, and so is the Tremezzo pier for Villa Carlotta and its gardens.
Como town has a cathedral and a funicular up to Brunate. It is the quickest to reach from Milan, but the central lake villages are about 2 hours away on the slow boat.
A central lake ferry day pass costs €17.50 and covers Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio, Cadenabbia and Lenno.
Best time to visit Lake Como
Go between late March and early November. In that window the main villas open daily and the busier ferry timetables run. Summer weekends and August bring the biggest crowds, and ferries have a capacity limit.
The boats run all year with fewer departures out of season. The autumn timetable runs from 5 October to 1 November 2026, and some gardens close for winter: Villa Melzi shuts on 1 November.
Where to stay on Lake Como
Pick your base by how you plan to move around.
- Varenna if you arrive by train and want the central lake on your doorstep.
- Bellagio if you want to stay in the middle of the ferry network and do not mind arriving by boat.
- Como if you want trains to Milan every 30 minutes or so and plan to spend time in Milan as well.
Getting out on the water
The public ferry is the cheapest boat ride on the lake. If you want commentary, a private boat or a rental you drive yourself, our guide to Lake Como boat tours compares the options and prices, including the licence rules for self-drive boats.
Start here
How to do a Lake Como day trip from Milan without a tour
Milan to Varenna is 65 minutes by direct train for €7.40. Trains, ferry day passes, a sample route via Varenna and Bellagio, and when a tour is worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Lake Como?
North of Milan. Direct trains reach Como in about 40 minutes from Milano Centrale and Varenna, in the central part of the lake, in about 65 minutes.
Can you visit Lake Como in a day from Milan?
Yes. Take the train to Varenna, buy a €17.50 central lake ferry day pass and hop between Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio. The day costs about €32 per adult before villa tickets.
Which Lake Como town is best for a first visit?
Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio sit close together in the central lake and are 15 minutes apart by ferry. Varenna is the easiest to reach because it has a train station, while Bellagio can only be reached by boat from the train.
When is the best time to visit Lake Como?
Between late March and early November, when the villas open daily and the busier ferry timetables run. Summer weekends and August are the most crowded.