The Perfect Day Trip to Lake Como from Milan (Self-Guided!)
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links; more info here.
Are you visiting Milan, but want to flee the busy city streets for a day? Are the mountains, fresh air, and glistening waters of Lake Como calling your name?
I get it. Because I felt the same! So I decided to plan out the perfect self-guided day trip from Milan to Lake Como.
From Milan, to Como (the lake's namesake city), Bellagio, Varenna, and back, I packed in as much as I could into one day: charming villages and quaint cobblestone lanes; spectacular views, boat rides, beautiful gardens and villas; and of course, fresh pasta, gelato, and local wine.
If you want to take a self-guided day trip to Lake Como from Milan, you've come to the right place.
This article includes everything you need to know about taking a day trip to Lake Como from Milan – including trains and ferries, and the best things to do as you explore the quaint towns of Como, Bellagio, and Varenna.
While organized Lake Como day trips are available to take you there and back to Milan in a day, taking a self-guided day trip will be much more rewarding!
And it's easy to do, too.
Which Towns to Visit
On a day trip to Lake Como from Milan, you'll have time to explore a few of Lake Como's villages. I recommend visiting:
- Como;
- Bellagio; and
- Varenna.
Each place is special and beautiful in its own way. Plus, they're close enough to each other that you can comfortably see them all in one day without having to rush.
Here's how…
Your Roundtrip Route: Milan to Lake Como
Here's the route you should take between Milan, Como, Bellagio, and Varenna:
- Train: Milano Centrale train station to Como San Giovanni station
- Ferry: Como to Bellagio
- Ferry: Bellagio to Varenna
- Train: Varenna-Esino train station to Milano Centrale train station
P.S. You can also embark on this route in reverse; Milan to Varenna and Como to Milan.
Why This Route?
Why this route? And why these towns?
Como (the city)
Well, Como is the biggest town on the lake. This ancient city is ridiculously charming and walkable, and there's plenty to do and see – from churches to piazzas.
I thought that Como was more authentic than some of the other villages. It's absolutely steeped in history, since at least the Bronze Age (which occurred between 3300 BC and 1200 BC). Amazing, right?
Unlike many other villages that partially shut in the low season, Como welcomes you year-round! (Perfect if you're visiting in the winter.)
Plus, taking the scenic ferry from Como to Bellagio means you have 45 minutes to savor the incredibly picturesque backdrop of tiny, colorful villages and soaring mountains!
Bellagio & Varenna
Bellagio and Varenna are also non-negotiable stops.
They're both endlessly enchanting, with gardens, famous villas, stunning shores, wine bars, lakefront restaurants, souvenir shops, quaint promenades, and more.
MADDY'S TIP: If you leave Milan first thing in the morning, follow this route, and catch the last train back to Milan – you will have plenty of time to experience all three towns.
Alternative Day Trip Routes
Keep in mind, you can also take the train to/from Varenna-Esino train station, skipping Como completely. (I wouldn't recommend this, but it's an option!)
In that case, you could simply spend the day in Varenna on your own, if you're looking for something more chill.
Another option would be to embark on this Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour (which leaves from Varenna).
Or, you could complete the “Golden Triangle” by taking the ferry from Varenna to the nearby villages of Bellagio and Menaggio, and back again.
MADDY'S TIP: You could also opt for total convenience and let someone else figure out the transportation for you! Simply book this guided Lake Como Day Trip from Milan – which has amazing reviews!
How to Purchase Train & Ferry Tickets
Train Tickets
For the route I recommend, you'll need to purchase two sets of one-way train tickets for your day trip to Lake Como from Milan.
- Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni; direct trip, about 40 minutes.
- Varenna-Esino to Milano Centrale; direct trip, about 65 minutes.
You should purchase your tickets online from TrenItalia. You can simply keep your tickets on your smartphone; no need to print them out. I recommend purchasing your tickets a few days ahead of your trip, just in case!
If you can, take an early train to Como (around 7 AM), and one of the last trains back from Varenna to Milan (around 8-9 PM). If you do that, you can easily spend three or more hours in each town!
For both one-way train tickets combined, you can expect to pay as little as €12 per person (for second class).
However, if navigating the trains by yourself seems like too much stress, you can simply book this Guided Lake Como Day Trip from Milan. I didn't personally go on this tour, but it has great reviews!
Ferry Tickets
You'll also need to purchase two sets of one-way ferry tickets when you arrive in Lake Como.
- Fast/express service from Como to Bellagio; 40 minutes. (Make sure NOT to purchase the slow service. It takes 2-2.5 hours!)
- Bellagio to Varenna; 15 minutes for fast service or 30 minutes for slow service.
You can only purchase fast/express service tickets in person.
Quick Ferry Tips
- Plan ahead! Check the ferry timetables before you leave for Lake Como. Make sure to “include fast service” when searching.
- It's busy in the high season! As soon as you arrive in Como, head straight for the waterfront and buy your fast/express service ticket to Bellagio. And as soon as you step off the ferry in Bellagio, purchase your ticket to Varenna.
- Sometimes, the weather, waves, and other factors, make the ferries run less, skip certain piers, or not run at all.
- If navigating the ferries seems too complicated, simply book a guided Lake Como tour, like this Lake Como Day Trip from Milan.
What to Do During a Day Trip to Lake Como from Milan
Now that we're all set with the route and tickets, let's talk about Como, Bellagio, and Varenna, and what to do there!
1. Explore Como's History-Rich Streets
Como is the largest of the three towns you'll visit during your day trip. There's plenty to do here, and no time to waste!
While in Como, spend a few hours roaming the quaint streets, browsing the many souvenir and wine shops, strolling along the lakeside promenade, and possibly taking a dip if it's warm.
Make sure to stop by the beautiful Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, the Piazza Alessandro Volta (Como's loveliest square), and the medieval city gate, Porta Torre. If you want to learn about the history, consider taking a 1-hour guided walking tour.
Then, pop into Visini or Osteria del Gallo for a classic Italian lunch and some wine; whichever you choose, you can't go wrong! Or, if you're feeling fancy, book a table in advance at the one-Michelin-starred Kitchen.
If you have time, you can also take the 7-minute funicular up to the peaceful town of Brunate, for incredible panoramic views over all of Lake Como and the chance to see another adorable town.
2. Stroll Around Beautiful Bellagio
Tall mountains, cypress trees, grand villas, and adorable cafés make up the lakeside town of Bellagio; and it goes without saying, but Bellagio is absolutely stunning.
While in Bellagio, roam the streets and pay attention to the details: the pretty pink flowers, the old cobblestones, beautiful iron lanterns, bright-colored shutters, and sweet little balconies. Honestly, if all you do in Bellagio is look around, it's enough to keep you entertained for hours… This village is just so splendid.
Next, visit a wine shop to learn and taste some local wines. I really enjoyed my tastings at Enoteca La Principessa!
At 3:30 PM, you can join a guided tour of the famous Villa Serbelloni‘s amazing 50-acre park and gardens. The views are unreal!
If you feel like taking to the water, then consider this small-group kayaking tour from Bellagio to explore the Lago di Como!
Lastly, don't forget to savor some fruity gelato, lakeside, before catching the ferry to Varenna!
3. Savor the Splendor of Varenna
Varenna absolutely stole my heart. While Bellagio seems to be everyone's favorite town on Lake Como, I have to disagree! When your ferry approaches Varenna, you'll know why I feel this way; in that moment, you'll believe that you've never seen anything so unbelievably picturesque in your life.
In Varenna, make sure to visit the botanical gardens at the eclectic waterfront villa, Villa Monastero. (It closes around 8 PM in the summer, so you should have plenty of time!)
Savor an amazing dinner at Al Prato – or choose somewhere along the lakefront, and just enjoy the views.
Then, walk up and down the steep cobblestone alleyways and simply explore.
Before you leave, watch the sun dip behind the mountains as the sky turns pink. There's no better way to wrap up your day trip to Lake Como – especially with a glass of wine in hand!
Should You Stay Overnight in Varenna?
Phew! Now that you know just how much there is to do on Lake Como, you might be thinking: “Should I stay overnight?” And I don't blame you!
At the end of your day trip route, why not spend the night in Varenna? Maybe soak up a whole extra day on Lake Como?
If you have the time, then YES! Of course, you should stay overnight.
If I were you, I'd choose one of these options in Varenna!
- Hotel Royal Victoria ($$$)
- Hotel Olivedo ($$)
- Bed & Breakfast il Bolentino ($)
MADDY'S TIP: Whichever you choose, you can't go wrong. The main thing to keep in mind is that ALL decent accommodation in Lake Como sells out far in advance (particularly between April and September).
This is my favorite website for booking affordable accommodation in Italy. Typically, free cancellation is available, so you can book with confidence!
How to Take a Perfect Day Trip to Lake Como from Milan
So, there you have it my friends! Enchanting villages, incredible views, opulent villas, local wine, delicious food, and unforgettable memories await you in Lake Como.
If you're considering taking a day trip to Lake Como from Milan, I promise, you won't regret it!
Milan to Lake Como Day Trip: Travel FAQs
Yes, Lake Como is absolutely worth a day trip from Milan! This lake – and the charming, centuries-old villages that surround it – are absolutely stunning. From boat rides, strolls along quaint cobblestone alleyways, and tasting delicious local wine, to exploring luxurious villas, swimming, hiking, and kayaking, there are endless fun things to do in Lake Como! It's easy to take a day trip to Lake Como from Milan. You'll leave Italy's third largest lake (after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore) with a full heart and super fond memories.
Yes, there is a direct train service from Milan to Lake Como. You can either choose to arrive in Como (the city) at Como San Giovanni station, or in the village of Varenna at Varenna-Esino train station. No matter which station you choose, the journey should not take more than 65 minutes. This guide details how to get to/from Lake Como, as well as what to do while you're there.
Yes, the train from Milano to Lake Como is absolutely stunning! Your eyes will be glued to the window, as you watch city streets and signs fade away as you approach the magnificent Italian Alps.
Getting to beautiful Lake Como without a car is easy! You can either take the train or the bus. The quickest option is the high-speed, direct train – tickets are cheap, too! This guide details the best way to get to Lake Como via train, as well as what to do and see once you arrive!
Yes, you can do Lake Como in a day. You can choose to take a guided day trip from Milan, or you can explore on your own self-guided tour. With a full day, you will have time to explore up to 3 towns on the shores of Lake Como. You can choose to see Como, Bellagio, and Varenna (this is my recommendation!) or you can embark on the so-called “Golden Triangle” to discover the villages of Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio.
You need at least one day in Lake Como, so you can easily just take a day trip from Milan. You can choose to go on your own, or go on this top-rated guided tour. With one day, you'll have time to see up to three towns (such as Como, Bellagio, and Varenna) if you take the direct train from Milan and then make use of the Lake's extensive ferry system. If you have even more time available, you should stay longer in Lake Como. Anywhere between 2-5 days would be ideal, so that you have time to explore a few villages in depth, do some water activities, go hiking, stroll through some immaculate gardens and luxurious villas, and take in all of the incredible scenes on Lake Como.
You should plan for your day trip to Lake Como from Milan to take up an entire day. If you take this popular guided tour, you can expect it to last about 9 hours. But if you take a self-guided trip, you should plan to take one of the first trains from Milan to Lake Como (around 7 or 8 am) and take one of the last trains back (around 8 or 9 pm). It's going to be a long day (about 12-14 hours), but I promise, it's worth it! Of course, you can decide when you want to leave/return (trains run all day long), so your day trip can be shorter. But there's so much to see and experience in Lake Como, you'll want to relish every last hour that you can!
Yes, it is 100% worth going to Lake Como from Milan. Taking a day trip from Milan is super easy, and you'll never regret spending a day on the sparkling shores of Italy's third largest lake. This place – with its soaring mountains, picturesque towns, local wines, lovely restaurants, and opulent villas and gardens – is absolutely enchanting! Read on for details on how to take a day trip to Lake Como from Milan.
SAVE THIS POST ON PINTEREST!
MORE ITALY INSPIRATION:
- 7 Absolutely Magical Day Trips from Florence, Italy
- The Dreamiest Amalfi Coast Itinerary (For 3, 4, or 5 Days)
- 1 Day in Milan Itinerary: How to Spend 24 Hours in Milan
- 10 Unforgettable Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast
- 2 Days in Venice, Italy: A Perfect Venice Itinerary for First-Timers
- 10 Best Things to Do in Alberobello, Puglia
Have you been to Lake Como before? Which town is your favorite? Did you stay overnight, or take a day trip from Milan?
Great advice~! I am so exciting to follow this plan.
Can you tell me what would be the time-table able for your ferry time? I would like to follow similar timing too as I have no idea how long should I spend to each cities
It will depend on the train tickets you purchase, and what times are available on your dates. So here’s what we can tell you. We recommend getting on one of the earliest trains to Como, hopefully arriving by 10 or 11 am. Then we would recommend spending two or three hours in each town, and taking one of the last trains back to Milan.
Hi there, my mum and i are going to Milan in August and this seems like a great way to visit Como and the surrounding villages in a day so thank you! Do you feel you see enough on the ferry as we were thinking of doing a boat tour but if the ferry covers it then this is great.
I’m not sure about a boat tour. Does that allow you to actually get off the boat and check out the towns? The ferry option, in my opinion, was perfect and if I had to do a day tour again, I wouldn’t do it any differently. I would say it’s not feasible to try to see more than Como, Bellagio, and Varenna in a day because you won’t have enough time to enjoy each place.
I found your site by Googling searches for day trips to Como. I didn’t quite know about Bellagio and Varenna. I mean, wow! I was about to book an organized day trip tour to Como, but after reading your blog – your self-guided tour is easily understood. I’ll use your guide when I visit Milan in September 2017. Thank you!
Hi! Thanks for this post. We are currently on a trip to Venice and Milan and have been using your blog posts for ideas! We are going to Como tomorrow, hopefully it goes as seemlessly as Venice went!
This is a lovely guide, thank you for sharing.
My husband and I are planning to visit Lake Como in November and I just discovered that a lot of the accommodation closes during this period. I was wondering, do you think it’s worth visiting at that time of year or is it better to save it for when the weather is warmer?
We haven’t visited Como in November. However, our assumption would be that, providing you can find accommodation, you will have an incredible time. Lake Como is absolutely beautiful, and personally, we’d jump at the chance to visit in the off season to enjoy less crowds!
Warning – if you do this day trip during peak season, you can expect massive queues and crowds everywhere. I went to Como on Easter Sunday, and ended up queueing for over an hour to buy my ferry ticket. Once I got to Bellagio, I joined the throngs of tourists trudging round the town, and ended up getting a slice of pizza from a takeaway shop for my lunch because I couldn’t find a restaurant that didn’t have a minimum 20 minute wait for a table. Go off-peak, or be prepared for a hellish experience that doesn’t show what is actually a very beautiful part of the world in its best light.
Hmmm, we’re wondering if that’s because it was Easter… We did this day trip during peak season (in late June), and we had no long queues, no issues with crowds, and no problems finding great restaurants to eat at.
Hi thank you for the article!
We are planning on doing a day trip, what would be the total cost for a day trip for transportation like?
Thank you!
Wow! sounds like an awesome day trip…we will be in Milan in April, I am definitely adding this to our itinerary .Hopefully, it’ll go as smoothly for us. I will be printing this article out and referencing back to it. Thank you bunches!!
Really helpful post! I wasn’t sure whether to stay the night in Como or not, but looks like a day trip works great.
This sounds fantastic! I’ll be in Italy in August and I’d love to stay in Lake Como but just don’t have enough time or budget. This sounds like a wonderful option so we don’t miss out entirely. Thank you very much for sharing :)
This post is so comprehensive and love the pics. Thank you for sharing it!
We are glad you found this post helpful! Thanks for stopping by.
So awesome!
Thanks, lady! :)