Venice to Lake Como Day Trip: The Best Way (2023) (2024)
Are you looking for advice on how to get from Venice to Lake Como?
Lake Como is an Italian lake, on the border with Switzerland, and is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
But that’s something you’ll understand more once you eventually get there.
This lake is loved, not just by Italians, but also by tourists from other parts of Europe and from North America.
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Venice to Lake Como
What will certainly fascinate you are the panoramic views, the mountains plunging into the lake, the elegant villas and the small historic villages.
All this has enchanted artists and writers, like Turner, over the years.
Lake Como is an ideal destination for a romantic weekend, for a vacation with family or friends but also for all lovers of water sports and trekking. In fact, there are numerous scenic trails that cross the mountains.
If you’re currently spending some days in the capital city of Veneto and wondering how to get from Venice to Lake Como, you’re in the right place!
Where is Lake Como?
Lake Como is located in the Lombardy region, in the north of Italy. It’s an alpine lake divided between the provinces of Como and Lecco.
It’s 1 hour and 50 minutes drive from Milan (83 kilometres) and 2 hours and 40 minutes drive from Turin (200 kilometres), the closest northern Italian cities.
It’s close to the Swiss border and surrounded by majestic mountains and woods.
It’s the ideal place to go to if you’re looking for a relaxing lakeside vacation, if you’re passionate about hiking and fascinated by the idea of visiting charming historical villages like Como, Bellagio and Varenna.
Is Lake Como worth visiting?
There’s a long list of reasons why Lake Como is worth your time, starting from the beauty of the landscapes to the dreamy historical village to explore.
Below you have at least 3 reasons why you should definitely consider the option of travelling from Venice to Lake Como for your next Italian escape.
Lake Como is worth visiting for the stunning landscape views you can admire from any location around the lake.
The lake is surrounded by imposing mountains and green pine woods. It’s basically the perfect place where to spend a couple of days and disconnect from the rest of the world, and recharge your batteries.
The historical villages you can visit are certainly attracting many visitors.
Just to mention a few: Varenna, famous for its villas and gardens, Bellagio, also called the ‘pearl of Lario’ (Lake Lario is the original name of the Lake Como) and Como, a treasure chest of historical and architectural sights to not miss.
Lake Como is world famous for its wonderful villas and award-winning hotels.
Many of these architectural gems are facing the lake and are some of the best places to stay in the world (and not just because I’m saying so) actual VIP people such as Versace, Barack Obama and George Clooney have all stayed here.
How far is Lake Como from Venice?
Lake Como is 344 kilometres from Venice which corresponds to 4 hours drive. The best way to reach Lake Como is certainly by car.
But if you have no intention of hiring a car during your time in this part of Italy, then you can also get there by train or by bus.
Without further ado, let’s now understand how you can get from Venice to Lake Como, based on your budget and depending on the time you may have available.
Where to stay in Lake Como?
In Lake Como you can find many hotels and B&Bs to host your lakeside stay.
Below are some of my best suggestions for hotels in Lake in Como:
Hotel Como: based only 600 metres away from Como city centre and 20 minutes from the lake shore. The property features spacious rooms and all sorts of amenities with a rooftop terrace and swimming pool.
Hotel Royal Victoria: this 4 star hotel in the heart of Varenna, offers amazing views of Lake Como (the building dates back to the 19th century). Around the hotel, you can enjoy lush gardens, a swimming pool and wellness centre.
Domus Bellagio: A 3 star hotel located in Bellagio city centre and not far from the stunning Villa Melzi. Italian breakfast is served daily.
Give your Venice to Lake Como day trip a chance to be a weekend adventure or at least a one night stay, and I can guarantee you will not regret staying longer.
How to get from Venice to Lake Como
Below I will list the best and most effective ways of getting from Venice to Lake Como so you can choose the best for you.
Can you get a train from Venice to Lake Como?
Yes, you can get a train from Venice to Lake Como.
First, I recommend getting a train option ticket that involves just 2 changes, so you won’t have to think about losing a connection during the journey, and get to your destination as soon as possible.
The best way to get from Venice to Lake Como: you should get the Freccia Argento train from Venice Santa Lucia railway station. This train arrives in Milano Centrale, the most important railway station in Milan. Once in Milan, get a Trenord train (the Lombardy region train service) to Saronno.
From Saronno, get another Trenord train with direction Como Lago. This is the fast and best way to get to Lake Como.
You’ll be at your destination in 3 hours and 56 minutes! Ticket prices can change at any time, and you can expect to pay between 20 to 30 euros one way.
The cheapest way to get from Venice to Lake Como: there’s another good option that will allow to save some money (let’s say around 10 euros) but that it will take a bit longer than the previous one. In this case you’ll have to get a Freccia Rossa train from Venice and arrive in Milano Porta Garibaldi.
From this station, get a Trenord train to Saronno and from Saronno, another train to Como Lago. You’ll arrive at your destination in 4 hours and 26 minutes.
The long way to get from Venice to Lake Como: with regional trains that means changing train 3 or 4 times and getting from Venice to Verona Porta Nuova.
From Verona, you can either get a Trenord train to Milano Lambrate, then from this station to Saronno, and from Saronno to Como Lago.
Alternatively, from Verona to Pioltello-Limito to Milano Porta Vittoria, from this station to Milano Bovisa Politecnico and get from there to Como Lago with your last train. Usually, a phrase book helps if you need to ask anything in Italian.
This is the longest way that will take 5 hours but normally the cheapest one too.
Aside from the Trenitalia service, you can get a Italo train to Milano Centrale. Both Trenitalia and Italo fast trains have free Wi-Fi and electrical sockets.
Driving from Venice to Lake Como
Driving is a way to enjoy the landscape along the way and stop anytime you want.
If you’re thinking about driving from Venice to Lake Como, then you should first get to the Mestre Tangenziale, after crossing the Liberty Bridge in Venice.
From this road, follow the A4 motorway for 200 kilometres, then when you’ll arrive around Bergamo, take the exit towards Bergamo.
Once you’ll get at the roundabout, take the 4th exit with direction Treviglio/Milano/Lecco/Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII. Continue to SS671, then SS342 and then to SS36 of Lake Como e Spluga.
Continue towards Via Nazionale/SP72 and take the exit Varenna/Lierna/Mandella/Abbadia L/Lago and finally continue to Varenna, from where you can take a ferry and get to other villages or towns around Lake Como.
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Bus from Venice to Lake Como
Are you a solo traveller that loves being on the road or maybe you just want to travel on a budget? Then it’s worth knowing that it’s possible to get from Venice to Lake Como by bus!
In this case you can travel by Flixbus from Venice Tronchetto and get to Como in 8 hours and 25 minutes with the cheapest option.
This bus leaves at 9.35 and arrives at 6pm. The only transfer you have is in Milan Lampugnano bus station or Bologna central bus station.
Choosing this option involves long waiting times, between 2 and 3 hours. You can always take advantage of this wait and visit the city of Milan or Bologna?
The best option are the Flixbus services leaving during the night, from Venice Tronchetto at 1am and Mestre (next stop) at 1.15am and arriving in Como at 7.25am or the the bus leaving from Mestre at 11.45am, arriving in Como at 6pm.
The only transfer is in Lampugnano bus station with a 1 hour wait. Travelling by bus means you’ll be on the road a lot, but these buses are quite comfortable.
You’ll find free Wi-Fi and outlets to charge your electronic devices. The one way bus ride can cost between 14 euros to 22 euros.
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Getting from Venice to Lake Como
Considering the long journey by car, by train or by bus, I wouldn’t suggest spending just a day.
If you want to get from Venice to Lake Como, spending a couple of days is the best compromise and a way to really take your time to enjoy this lovely Italian lake destination. Also, remember to try these Venetian street foods before you leave.
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The best way to get from Venice to Lake Como: you should get the Freccia Argento train from Venice Santa Lucia railway station. This train arrives in Milano Centrale, the most important railway station in Milan. Once in Milan, get a Trenord train (the Lombardy region train service) to Saronno.
To get to Como or Stresa, travelers can take a direct Trenitalia or Italo train from Venice to Milan, then transfer to a TreNord or Trenitalia Regionale to their final destinations. There are also Swiss SBB trains from Milan to points north, and some of these call at Como or Stresa.
Yes, it is possible to travel from Venice to Como San Giovanni without having to change trains. There is 1 direct train from Venice to Como San Giovanni each day.
But don't worry – Lake Como is worth it even if you only have a day or two. And you can see many amazing places in a short time – IF you know what to expect and plan well. Good to know: If you have just 1 day for Lake Como and want to see some of the most popular places, do yourself a favor and take an organized tour.
The top stops along the way from Como to Venice (with short detours) are Duomo di Milano, Gardaland Resort, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Other popular stops include Juliet's House, Leolandia, and Scrovegni Chapel.
How many days should I spend in Lake Como? I'd suggest to spend at least 3-4 days, because there are a lot of towns and things to see and you will need time to experience Lake Como at its best.
While you don't really need a car in Lake Como and both parking and driving is limited there, you could even take your can on selected ferries. That said, make sure you book a hotel with a parking spot, otherwise, you'll be in trouble.
The best time to visit Lake Como and its surrounding areas would be from April to October, when the weather gets warm and mild. The territory is characterized as having a subcontinental climate, with cold winters and muggy summers; humidity is particularly high through the whole year.
The easiest option is to take the train from Milano Centrale to Como S.Giovanni station (40 minutes). From there, you can take the C30 bus* (about 1h 10 min ride) or the boat to Bellagio (1h 30 min - 2h).
Is Bellagio Italy worth visiting? Bellagio is absolutely worth visiting! It has everything: amazing food, beautiful views, upscale hotels, a walkable old town and more. Plus, you can easily reach other top villages like Varenna, Menaggio and Tremezzo by a quick and low-cost ferry ride.
Bellagio. A highlight of any trip to the shores of Lake Como is undoubtedly a day (or two, or three) in Bellagio. Set conveniently between the two southernmost branches of the lake, the town is made up of steep winding paths where pastel-coloured houses provide peripheral pops of colour.
Two full days in Venice are enough for most visitors to get a first sense of the city and its highlights. One day is better than nothing and anything from 3 days up is ideal if you love museums, enjoy a slower travel experience and want to enjoy the city beyond its sightseeing opportunities.
How many days in Lake Como? 3-4 days is a good starting point to visit Lake Como if you want to really experience the small towns and villages around the Lake. However, you can visit Lake Como as a day trip from Milan if you're short on time.
The Greenway of Lake Como is one of the most beautiful and scenic hikes around the lake. It's an easy walk that winds from Colonno to Cadenabbia, about 10 km long. The excursion takes you through medieval villages, ancient alleys and trails with breathtaking views.
Como is a walkable location surrounded by picturesque views of lakes and mountains. While you're here, enjoy activities like boating, sunbathing, and simply soaking up the stunning lakeside views.
Como Lake loop 4x around 6.65 miles. This is an easy but brisk walk. This is my boyhood Lake and I just love to walk and reminisce about all the good years playing here. It's a beautiful lake.
The journey from Como to Venice by Train is 255 km and takes 4 h 15 min. There are 42 connections per day, with the first departure at 07:16 and the last at 11:10. It is possible to travel from Como to Venice by Train for as little as $ 20.42 or as much as $ 128.29. The best price for this journey is $ 24.20.
To do the city justice, I would recommend planning in at least 3 days in Venice. This will allow you see the main attractions, as well as soak in the other areas outside San Marco such as San Polo and Cannaregio and give you enough time to also visit the islands surrounding the city.
There are no Ubers, cabs are extremely limited and the ferry schedule can be tricky to understand. I would recommend choosing a town that's pretty central to what you want to do, or like us, try to map out as best as you can (which we still messed up a few times!).
Bellagio is far more charming and its location on Lake Como is lovely. Not much nightlife except for restaurants but I don't think people go to Lake Como for the nightclubs, as it's more a place to relax and unwind. If you want bustling nightlife, go to Milan.
In the old days, the lake was called “Lario”, which means “deep place”. Lake Como is the deepest in Italy, which explains its ancient name. Lake Como's depth is about 410 meters (1,345 feet), and it's the most profound lake in Italy and one of the deepest in Europe.
The best way to get around Lake Como is by boat or ferry.
The public boat and ferry service in Lake Como connects all the major towns along its shores with scheduled timetables, allowing for connections as well. The water transportation in Lake Como works very well.
The best way to reach Lake Como is by train: you can take a train from Milan Centrale Station (Milano Centrale) or Milan Nord Cadorna and get off at Como San Giovanni, Como's main station, or Como Nord Lago.
July is the hottest month in Lake Como with an average temperature of 22°C (72°F) and the coldest is January at 4°C (39°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 9 in July. The wettest month is June with an average of 134mm of rain..
Lake Como Outfits. Lake Como is a chic destination where people love fashion and thoughtful accessories. You'll always want to wear something slightly dressy to lunch or dinner, and in the evening bold colors and elegant shoes go a long way.
Why not take the train to Lake Como - the average journey time by train from Florence to Como San Giovanni is 3 hours and 33 minutes, with around 35 trains per day.
How far is Lake Como from Venice? Lake Como is 344 kilometres from Venice which corresponds to 4 hours drive. The best way to reach Lake Como is certainly by car. But if you have no intention of hiring a car during your time in this part of Italy, then you can also get there by train or by bus.
Situated in the foothills of the Alps in northern Italy, close to the Swiss border, Lake Como is just an hour from Milan and is well connected to it by rail service – both from Como on the southwest corner and from Lecco, Varenna-Esino or Colico on the east side of the lake.
Lake Como is one of the most beautiful lakes in northern Italy. The views are not only confined to the lake – the surroundings are just as stunning. The mountains, sunsets, villas, and small towns provide a perfect escape from Milan or any other big city. It is absolutely worth visiting!
The hydrofoil takes 45 minutes to one hour to travel from Como to Bellagio and/or Varenna. The slow boat takes up to two to three hours to travel from Como to Bellagio and/or Varenna. Click here for the official Lake Como ferry website and for updated prices.
If you are not sure how long to stay in Bellagio, consider this. You can see the town itself in just a few hours, so you can even visit Bellagio on a day trip from Milan. But if you want to experience the best of Lake Como, you should stay in Bellagio for at least 2-3 days.
Bellagio is among the crown jewels on the Las Vegas Strip. First opening its doors in 1998, Bellagio cost $1.6 billion to construct, has 3,933 guestrooms, and over 100,000 square feet of gaming. Known for luxury when compared to other Las Vegas resorts, Bellagio enjoys high levels of guest satisfaction.
Bellagio – best town to stay in Lake Como for sightseeing & luxury. For many, Bellagio is the best town to stay in Lake Como. It's one of the most famous locations on the lake and is well-known to be a luxury location.
Bellagio or Varenna? These two towns are the most popular choice for travelers visiting Northern Italy. Varenna is better connected to greater Italy, as it's the only town with a train station. If you do decide to take the train into the Lakes, buy your tickets as early as possible to get the cheapest fare.
On weekdays, the area is generally still fun, and also fairly manageable – on the weekend, visitors flood in and the streets can get very crowded. Away from the costumes and all of the masks, the local areas of Venice are still relatively quiet and peaceful.
Venice is small. You can walk across it, from head to tail, in about an hour. Nearly all of your sightseeing is within a 20-minute walk of the Rialto Bridge or St. Mark's Square.
We walk absolutely everywhere in Venice. You see so much, it's not a hard slog. The stairs over all the bridges over the canals are a serious consideration. For our trip, I was worried about being fit enough to handle the hill towns in Tuscany, but was not at all prepared for all the stairs in Venice.
If you love exploring small towns and villages and are willing to spend a bit more for that high-end, luxury experience, Lake Como is the best destination for you. However, if you're looking to enjoy a magical holiday with your children and grandchildren, Lake Garda is the right choice for your family.
Many visitors focus on one or more of the three most popular Lake Como destinations, Como, Bellagio, and Varenna. Others want to circumnavigate the lake by car, a drive which takes about four hours without stops or traffic. If time permits, consider spending a week or more in Milan and Italy's Lakes Region.
The easiest way to get to Lake Como is by train from Milan. The ride is only 40 minutes from Milano Centrale station to Como San Giovanni station, right in the center of the town of Como.
The best way to get to Lake Como is to first, fly into Milan, one of the most popular travel hubs in Northern Italy, and from there, you can catch a 2-hour train to one of the towns at Lake Como.
There are no Ubers, cabs are extremely limited and the ferry schedule can be tricky to understand. I would recommend choosing a town that's pretty central to what you want to do, or like us, try to map out as best as you can (which we still messed up a few times!).
While you don't really need a car in Lake Como and both parking and driving is limited there, you could even take your can on selected ferries. That said, make sure you book a hotel with a parking spot, otherwise, you'll be in trouble.
The best areas to stay in Lake Como for first-timers are Como City, Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna, Cernobbio, and Tremezzo. Each of these areas has its unique charm, so the choice ultimately depends on your preferences and interests. Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna are all beautiful towns on Lake Como.
If you put “Lake Como” into your gps then the drive from Milan is 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, if you simply type in “Como” then the ride should be 40 minutes without traffic.
Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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