Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in northern Italy, and one of the easiest to reach from Milan. Regional trains run directly from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino in just over an hour, or to Como town in around 30 minutes, and the fares are remarkably cheap. There are no high-speed trains to the lake — you don’t need them. This guide explains which route to take, how the ferry connections work, and what to expect on the day.
Two routes, two very different experiences
There is no single answer to “how do I get from Milan to Lake Como by train” because the answer depends on which part of the lake you want.
Route 1: Milano Centrale → Varenna-Esino (~1h 10min)
The Varenna route drops you at a small station on the eastern shore of the central lake, just above the village. From Varenna, the passenger ferry to Bellagio takes 15 minutes, and the ferry to Menaggio or Tremezzo takes around 25 minutes. This gives you access to the most scenic, least crowded section of the lake. Varenna itself is a genuine working village with a waterfront promenade, two historic villas (Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi), and several good restaurants.
Most visitors going to Bellagio — the most visited village on the lake — should use the Varenna route.
Route 2: Milano Centrale → Como San Giovanni (~40min)
Como is the southern tip of the lake’s western arm — a fully-fledged city of 85,000 people with a fine Romanesque cathedral, a silk-weaving heritage (Como is one of Italy’s great silk towns), and a busy lakefront. From Como, you can take the ferry north up the lake to Cernobbio, Argegno, Lenno (Villa Balbianello), and eventually Bellagio — but that’s a 1h 40min ferry ride each way.
Como town is better suited to visitors who want a quick lake experience, a town to wander, and a day that doesn’t involve multiple ferry connections. It’s also accessible from Milan’s northern suburban terminus, Milano Como Nord Lago (Cadorna station), via the Trenord suburban rail network — approximately 60 minutes but with very frequent departures.
For most travellers wanting the classic “Lake Como experience”, Varenna is the right route. For a shorter, simpler day trip, Como works well.
Train times and fares
All trains to Lake Como are Trenord regional services. There are no high-speed trains, no reservation requirement, and no dynamic pricing — fares are fixed.
| Route | Duration | Fare (2nd class) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milano Centrale → Varenna-Esino | ~1h 10min | ~€5.40 one way | 1-2 per hour |
| Milano Centrale → Como San Giovanni | ~40min | ~€4.80 one way | 2-3 per hour |
| Milano Como Nord Lago (Cadorna) → Como | ~60min | ~€4.80 one way | Every 30min |
Fares as of 2026. Buy tickets at ticket machines in the station or via the Trenord app. Validate your ticket at the yellow stamping machines on the platform before boarding — failure to validate is treated as travelling without a ticket and carries a significant fine.
The Varenna route in detail
Trains to Varenna depart from Milano Centrale, platforms 7-9 on the Trenord regional side. Check the departure board for trains to Lecco or Tirano — Varenna-Esino is a stop on these lines. The journey passes through Monza, Lecco, and the lower lake before reaching Varenna.
The station at Varenna-Esino is about 10-15 minutes’ walk from the village waterfront, partly downhill on narrow lanes. Alternatively, taxis wait at the station, and the fare to the village centre is approximately €5-8. The ferry landing for services to Bellagio, Menaggio, and Tremezzo is in the village.
Ferry connections from Varenna
Lake Como ferries are operated by Navigazione Laghi (navigazionelaghi.it). The main services from Varenna:
| Destination | Ferry type | Duration | Fare (one way, as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellagio | Passenger/car ferry | ~15min | ~€4.60 |
| Menaggio | Passenger/car ferry | ~20min | ~€4.60 |
| Tremezzo | Passenger/car ferry | ~25min | ~€4.60 |
| Lenno (Villa Balbianello) | Passenger ferry | ~35min | ~€5.80 |
Day passes and multi-journey ferry tickets are available if you plan to use the ferry more than twice. The centre lake ferry timetable is denser in summer (May-September), with departures every 20-30 minutes on the Varenna-Bellagio route during peak season.
Bellagio
Bellagio sits on the promontory where the two southern arms of the lake divide, giving it panoramic views in three directions. It is justifiably the most photographed village on Lake Como, with steep flower-hung lanes, villa gardens, and a lively waterfront. Villa Serbelloni (upper gardens, Bellagio Study and Conference Centre) offers guided tours; Villa Melzi gardens below the village are open to visitors from approximately €8 as of 2026.
Bellagio can be very crowded from June to August — mid-morning to mid-afternoon sees the highest volume of day-trippers. Arriving by the first or second ferry of the day (before 10:00) or staying into the late afternoon when the crowds thin is worth planning for.
Tremezzo and Villa del Balbianello
Two of the lake’s most famous villas are accessible from the ferry network.
Villa del Balbianello (Lenno) is a 17th-century villa on a wooded promontory, administered by the FAI (National Trust equivalent). Entrance costs approximately €22 including the gardens, or €10 for the gardens only, as of 2026. The villa has featured in several films, including James Bond’s Casino Royale and Star Wars Episode II. It’s accessible by foot from Lenno ferry landing (15-20 min walk) or by small boat taxi directly to the villa’s private landing stage.
Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo) is open to the public and famous for its botanical gardens, which are spectacular in April-May when the azaleas and rhododendrons flower. Entrance approximately €12 as of 2026.
Como town
Como’s waterfront is pleasant, the cathedral (Duomo di Como) is one of the best Gothic-to-Renaissance buildings in Lombardy, and the Silk Museum (Museo Didattico della Seta, via Castelnuovo 9) gives a good account of the region’s textile heritage. Entry to the Silk Museum is approximately €10 as of 2026. The funicular from Piazza de Gasperi to Brunate (the hillside village above Como) runs frequently and costs approximately €3.50 one way — the view of the lake and Alps from Brunate is worth the trip.
From Como, you can also take a shorter ferry ride north to Cernobbio (home of Villa d’Este, one of Europe’s most prestigious hotels) or continue to Moltrasio and Argegno.
Getting to Milano Centrale
Milano Centrale is well-connected to both of Milan’s airports. From Malpensa (MXP), the Malpensa Express runs directly to Centrale in approximately 45-50 minutes (€13 as of 2026). From Linate (LIN), city bus 73 takes around 30 minutes to the city centre. From Bergamo (BGY / Orio al Serio), the Terravision or Autostradale bus takes around 50-60 minutes to Centrale.
Where to stay near Lake Como
If you’re spending more than a day, staying in Varenna keeps you away from the busiest tourist flows while giving you excellent ferry access to the whole central lake. Bellagio has the widest choice of accommodation but books up quickly in peak season. Hotels near Lake Como.
Tours and experiences
Boat tours of the lake, guided villa visits, and cooking classes in the Como area are widely available. Lake Como tours and activities.
Plan Your Trip
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