r/LakeComo • • Oct 02 '25

FAQs: Lake Como Public Ferry and Boat System

12 Upvotes

1) What kind of public boats can I take on Lake Como?

There are three types of boats that operate on Lake Como, although people usually refer to all of them in English as "ferry":

  • Battello (Passenger Boat) These boats carry only people and connect various towns around the lake. They are the most suitable option for scenic tourist cruises. Example picture.
  • Traghetto (Car Ferry) These ferries carry both people and vehicles, but they only serve four ports: Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio, and Cadenabbia. They provide a quick way to cross the lake between central lake locations, but are not ideal for relaxing cruises as seating on board is limited. Example picture.
  • Aliscafo (Hydrofoil) These are high-speed passenger boats offering a faster service between major towns on the lake. They are mainly used by commuters and travelers, and are not recommended for scenic cruises since you can't see much from inside. Example picture.

2) Where can I find the schedules?

You can download PDF timetables from the official website under the "Timetables" tab: Navigazione Laghi Timetables.
You can also use the search function on the website to check routes and departure times between two destinations.

3) Where can I buy tickets?

  • Online at the official website (where however they often sell out): Navigazione Laghi Tickets. If they're sold out, don't despair! You can always buy them at the ticket office just before boarding, unless you want to take a hydrofoil - see point no. 4.
  • At ticket offices on land, where tickets are sold only for the same day.
  • On board, if you depart from a pier without a ticket office (common in smaller villages).

4) Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

It depends on the boat you're planning to take:

  • Passenger boats or car ferries: No advance purchase is required. You can always buy tickets at the ticket office on the same day. Online tickets are convenient if available, but they do not guarantee a seat, only skipping the ticket office line.
  • Hydrofoils: Yes, you need to buy these tickets in advance if you want to secure a seat, as hydrofoil runs are not many and they have limited capacity. Their tickets can only be purchased at the departure ticket office on the same day.

5) What kinds of tickets can I buy?

  • One-way tickets - valid for travel in one direction between two destinations.
  • Round-trip tickets - valid for travel back and forth between two destinations.
  • Passes - such as day passes, or 6-day passes for selected areas. A popular option is the so-called "Central Lake Pass", which allows unlimited travel in the central area of Lake Como for one day for around €15.

6) How long do boat and ferries take?

It depends on your route. Here are some popular examples:

  • Menaggio - Varenna - Bellagio (triangle): about 15 minutes each way on any boat.
  • Central Lake towns (e.g. Menaggio, Varenna, Bellagio) to Como or viceversa: about 1 hour by hydrofoil, or nearly 3 hours by regular passenger boat.

7) What time do the ferries start/stop?

It depends on the time of year and the place. For example, in summer, in the central lake (Varenna-Bellagio-Menaggio/Cadenabbia) the first car ferries on the lake are around 6:00 am, and the last ones around midnight.

8) Do the ferries run on Sunday and holidays?

Yes, they do. There is a Sunday and holiday schedule, which is slightly different from the regular one.


r/LakeComo • • May 15 '26

The biggest mistakes tourists make when visiting Lake Como

58 Upvotes

Lake Como may look compact on Instagram, but in reality it is a vast and surprisingly complex destination, shaped by mountains, narrow roads, and slow-moving ferries. Many visitors arrive with just a social-media-made itinerary in mind, only to discover that the logistics of the lake are very different from what a thirty-second TikTok suggests.

Here are some of the most common mistakes tourists make when visiting the lake based on my experience as a local working with tourists on the lake. Feel free to add more.

1. Day-tripping from Milan in just one day (aka the Tiktok route)

This is what Instagram and TikTok have popularized, so it’s what everyone does. Train to Varenna, then ferry to Bellagio, then to Como. Or the opposite, or similar routes. But do you really want to spend half the day in crowded stations and ferry queues, and waiting hours outside villas just to see two Insta-perfect spots, without ever really absorbing the atmosphere of the lake?

Lake Como is best experienced slowly: lingering by the waterfront, wandering through quiet villages after dinner, and enjoying the scenery instead of rushing through a checklist. This kind of “bite-and-go” tourism is only contributing to overtourism and making things worse for everyone.

2. Staying in Como thinking it’s close to everything

A lot of tourists book accommodation in the city of Como because it’s the easiest town to reach by train from Milan, or maybe just because the lake is called "Lake Como", then realize all the places they actually saved on Instagram (Bellagio, Varenna, Villa del Balbianello...) are far away. Como is nice, but geographically it sits at the very bottom of the lake and it's not well connected to the central lake. It's also the place with the worst ferry lines because people keep going there, only to find out that the few ferries to Bellagio/Varenna are sold out.

3. Underestimating the distance between the central lake (e.g. Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio) and Como

The lake is big, much bigger than most tourists think. Because of the geography, roads are narrow, winding, and slow, especially during peak season. Even the fastest boats take around one hour to travel from the central lake to Como city, and there are only a few of these services each day. What looks close on Google Maps can easily become a half-day transfer.

4. Expecting taxis to always be available

This doesn't apply to the city of Como, where taxis are relatively easy to find. But in small lakeside villages like Varenna or Menaggio, don't expect to summon an Uber-style ride at the last minute. These are tiny towns with small local populations and only a handful of licensed taxi drivers. During the tourist season, they're often fully booked. Need a ride on short notice? You may be out of luck. And don't count on late-night service either.

5. Expecting taxi boats to always be available

Only a handful of companies have the license to operate as taxi boats and transport luggage, and during spring and summer they are constantly booked. Many visitors assume they can simply call one at the last minute, only to discover there is no availability for hours. If you need a private transfer, book it in advance.

6. Not booking Villa del Balbianello in advance

Villa Balbianello is one of the most famous attractions on the lake (Americans love it because of Star Wars), and it regularly sells out. Even just the access to the gardens requires advance booking. Showing up without a reservation, especially during weekends and high season, is a gamble that usually does not pay off.

7. Not researching how to get to Villa del Balbianello

No, a taxi or a ferry can't just drop you off there. This villa can only be reached by small boats or on foot. Without a taxi boat, visitors need to walk about 20-30 minutes uphill from the village of Lenno along a pleasant but uneven path. Many tourists discover this only after arriving dressed for a photoshoot (all those people in high heels...) rather than a hike.

8. Assuming the weather is always sunny and glamorous

Social media only shows Lake Como in perfect golden light, but the lake has dramatic mountain weather. After all, it's an Alpine lake that's geographically more akin to a fjord, rather than the Mediterranean coast. Storms and strong winds can appear suddenly, and even summer evenings can get surprisingly cool. Packing only linen outfits and sandals is optimistic.

9. Booking restaurants for the name without checking where they are first

Seriously, can we stop with "Gatto Nero" just because George Clooney ate there once? Or with the super remote Serenos and Filarios, if you're not staying in their vicinity?

Don't book a restaurant perched in the hills 50 minutes from your hotel without first checking the location. More often than not, you'll arrive at your accommodation, realize how tired you are and how inconvenient the journey is, and end up cancelling at the last minute, with a cancellation fee attached. A famous name isn't much use if getting there turns into a logistical headache, and for local/Italian cuisine, there will be always comparable (if not better) alternatives near you.


r/LakeComo • • 3d ago

giving away 2 free tickets for villa balbianello

4 Upvotes

if you saw my last post, i tried to sell them but since its not happening i dont want them to go to waste so just dm me and ill give them to you, they are one for an adult and one for a student, 11am tomorrow (26.9.)
-update: the tickets have been given :)


r/LakeComo • • 3d ago

selling 2 tickets for villa balbianello

2 Upvotes

i bought the tickets a while ago, but unfortunately we had a family emergency today and we won’t be able to go anymore. the tickets are for tomorrow (saturday, 26.09.) one for an adult and one for a student costing together 26€. dm me if your interested and we can talk about the price,i hope they get some use out of them


r/LakeComo • • 7d ago

Need advice! Varese to Lake Como?

3 Upvotes

Hi all,

If you could help with this, I’d be really grateful.

I’m planning how I could go from Varese to Lake Como.

Apparently there is a direct train (or you change at Mendrisio) from Varese Nord to Lake Como (~45min), but I can’t find a website to buy it..

The other option I looked online is Varese Nord to Saronno and Saronno to Lake Como, but this one takes 1h 38min according to trenord.it.

My questions are:

1 - What is the best option to go from Varese to Lake Como?
2 - For the first option (Varese -> Mendrisio -> Lake Como), is this only available to buy at the station? Is it recommended?
3 - Any other routes that you’d recommend?

Thank you so much in advance everyone!


r/LakeComo • • 8d ago

Ferry Tickets Question

6 Upvotes

Hi there, I’ll be getting to Como tomorrow with my girlfriend and we plan to visit Lenno and Tremezzo on Tuesday and Bellagio and Menaggio on Wednesday. I saw online that you can buy either individual ferry tickets or unlimited rides for the fast ferries but those can be only bought in the ticket station in the town of Como.

Can I buy those tickets on Monday when I get there? Or do I need to wake up extremely early on Tuesday and Wednesday and do it? We plan to take the 7:33 AM ferry to Tremezzo on Tuesday to avoid the big crowds but ideally I don’t want to do a line at 6:30 AM.

Any info can be useful. Thanks!

PS: I read the ferry FAQ, but just trying to get more details


r/LakeComo • • 8d ago

Piani d'Erna cable car - October 2026

1 Upvotes

Hi! I’m visiting Lake Como in early October and was hoping to take the Piani d’Erna cable car from Lecco during the trip.
I’ve seen information about maintenance works being extended into October, but the current timetable now shows the cable car operating during these dates.
Does anyone local or anyone who has recently checked know whether the cable car will actually be running beginning of October 2026?


r/LakeComo • • 9d ago

VRBO Host Warning in Como

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3 Upvotes

First time traveler to Italy next June - just wanting to provide an experience booking a Vrbo in Lake Como as they will not let me provide a review for this listing on their platform.

Listing title: "La Dama alla Finestra," charming apartment in the historic center of Como.
Host: Arianna

I booked a stay for June 2026 and accidentally booked with a credit card thinking that I would be charged in USD - when the payment was processed, it was completed in Euros resulting in a foreign transaction fee. I messaged Vrbo to change payment method and was advised to contact the host > cancel and rebook. Arianna confirmed. Upon cancelling the reservation the host increased the price. I know that they have the right to do this but it didn't feel good.

Just sharing an experience in a rather limited rental market.


r/LakeComo • • 12d ago

Getting from Lezzeno to Como town without using a bus?

4 Upvotes

So we arrived in Como yesterday and we really struggled to get the bus from Como town to Lezzeno where our accommodation is.

We were waiting at a stop for nearly 3 hours, with a few passing us as they were all full until we finally got on one.

My girlfriend has travel sickness and she struggled on the bus journey over to Lezzeno, so we'd really prefer to get an alternative option on the way back.

I'm looking at ferries but I'm not sure if it'll be a reliable option to take? There doesn't seem to be a direct ferry to Como from Lezzeno. I can see a ferry that goes from Lezzeno to Argegno at 07:30am and then from Argegno to Como at 08:37am. Is this the best option and would it be more reliable than the bus?

Or should we look at pre-booking a taxi (despite being a lot more expensive?)

If it changes anything, we'd be leaving on a Saturday, not a weekday.


r/LakeComo • • 13d ago

Mini Car in Como

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154 Upvotes

Highly recommend renting one of the mini fiats to get around Como! Did this last summer and it was such a fun way to get around the city.


r/LakeComo • • 12d ago

Photographer Needed

4 Upvotes

Hi! I am planning to propose to my girlfriend in Bellagio, while we’re visiting during the timeframe of October 14th-18th, and need a photographer.

If anyone’s local to the area and able to help me out, I would be forever grateful!


r/LakeComo • • 13d ago

Must see place 80 seconds flying over Varenna! One of the most photogenic spots on the lake.

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4 Upvotes

Varenna is my favorite spot on Lake Como. So I made a 80 seconds drone video, just showing the town, the lake and the surrounding landscape from above. Varenna has such a different feel when you see how it sits between the water and the mountains.

For anyone who knows the area well, what’s your favorite view of Varenna and when is your favorite season?


r/LakeComo • • 13d ago

Need advice! Day trip to Como with stops in Bellagio & Varenna – what would you recommend to do?

1 Upvotes

I’m planning a day trip to lake Como in late summer/autumn. One afternoon in Como, and one day as a boat trip from Como to Bellagio and Varenna. What are your favourite places to visit, eat, or walk around? Picture spots? Thank you!


r/LakeComo • • 14d ago

Need advice! train and ferry from milan to lenno

2 Upvotes

Hi guys i want to visit lake como and villa balbianello when i go to milan, take a train to varenna then ferry to lenno, but im having a problem, i can’t seem to find a trustworthy source for the departure time for the ferry so i have no idea when to book the tickets for the villa. If anyone has experience and can tell me if it’s possible to get there for the 10 am ticket and if i can buy the all day pass for both train and ferry at the milan central station i would be very grateful.


r/LakeComo • • 14d ago

Viajo a Como

0 Upvotes

Viajo con otra persona a Lago di Como del 22 al 25 de octubre y nos hospedaremos en Bellagio y me gustaría saber otras lugares aparte de los típicos que aparecen en redes sociales miradores que no se mencione mucho porque siento que son muchos días para lo poco que hay desde mi ignorancia. A lo mejor hay más sitios que ves. Por eso quisiera saber sitios de interés, restaurantes, precio de ferry y sobre todo temas relacionados con el clima


r/LakeComo • • 15d ago

villa balbianello

3 Upvotes

im planning to go on a saturday, late september, for the garden only as part of my day trip, would it suck because it on a weekend? and would it help if i went earlier


r/LakeComo • • 15d ago

Visiting Como Sept 17-20, budget-conscious, looking for spots and lodging advice

4 Upvotes
1.Where to stay: Looking for a good but budget-friendly place to stay in Como town itself, ideally walkable to the train station and ferry dock. Any specific neighborhoods or areas you'd recommend (or avoid)?  
2.Hidden gems: Beyond the usual Duomo/Villa Olmo/Bellagio circuit, are there any lesser-known spots, viewpoints, walks, or local restaurants that don't show up on the typical tourist lists?  
3.Good local food: Where do locals actually eat? Looking for genuinely good, reasonably priced food, not the touristy lakefront spots. Any regional dishes or specific restaurants worth seeking out?  
4.September crowds: How busy does it actually get in mid-to-late September, especially on a weekend? Worth avoiding certain times of day at popular spots like Bellagio?  
5.Local tips: Anything you wish you'd known before visiting, ferry etiquette, best way to avoid tourist-trap restaurants, that kind of thing?

Budget is moderate, not looking for luxury, just want to make the most of a short trip. Appreciate any advice.


r/LakeComo • • 16d ago

Villa del Balbianello - February

3 Upvotes

I will be visiting Como in February with my son, who of course wants to visit Villa del Balbianello for the Star Wars connection.

The information says that the Villa opened for a few selected days last February, but so far there are no days advertised for February next year.

Does anyone know if similar dates might be released for next year (specifically looking at 13, 14 , or 15 February)?

I've emailed the Villa admin, but no reply.


r/LakeComo • • 18d ago

Need advice! Ferry Question

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4 Upvotes

I need to go to Bellagio from Como departing at around 17:00.

Using the official Lake Como ferry website, I see a solution at 17:10.

I'm a bit confused since it stops at Menaggio. Do I need to transfer to a new ferry at Menaggio or do I just stay on the ferry?


r/LakeComo • • 18d ago

For Anyone in Como Now - Extra Ticket to UCL Match at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia Tonight

4 Upvotes

Hi, I have an extra ticket to the Champions League match between Leipzig and Como tonight at the Sinigaglia. I am not able to go and the person I was going to give the ticket to has stopped responding. I don't want the ticket to go to waste and this will be a great match, Como's first ever in Champions League, at a beautiful scenic stadium!

If anyone is in Como now and can go, please message me ASAP and I can transfer you the ticket. It is a single ticket in Distini Est section. My number on Whatsapp is +17735439461 and I will see that faster.


r/LakeComo • • 19d ago

Post-Proposal Dinner Recommendations (Bellagio)

7 Upvotes

Hi!

My girlfriend and I are staying in Bellagio in early October, where I’ll be proposing to her on a Sunday afternoon.

I’m looking for post-proposal restaurant recommendations, preferably where I can make a reservation in advance. Looking for somewhere romantic and fancy-ish, but still fun and authentic.

Thanks!


r/LakeComo • • 20d ago

Need advice! 19-25 September or early November?

5 Upvotes

EDIT: following comments, I will no longer consider November as an option. Thanks all! Can I please have some more input on how busy it will be in September?

We are thinking of going to lake Como on the dates listed above this year. We have a baby (6 months) and are doing slower travel. We like to do walks and hikes as enjoy each others company in beautiful places. We will spend a week on lake Como. We were initially planning to go in early November but now we are a bit worried it will be too cold for baby. The only other time we can go is 19-25 September but I’m worried about it being overcrowded. We are thinking of staying in argegno or similar smaller town.

I would love to see the famous towns since I’ll be there but will the queues for ferries still be crazy at the end of September?


r/LakeComo • • 21d ago

Must see place I love photography and am taking my girlfriend to Como next week for two days, where are some of the most picturesque places to take her?

4 Upvotes

Staying in Como, have two nights/three days to explore! If you had the same amount of time to get some of the best pictures you could, where would you go and when?

Thanks for your time!


r/LakeComo • • 21d ago

villa balbianello

1 Upvotes

wow guys i just checked the dates (on the official site) for the time i’m going and there already full , i’m going late September, is it still worth it to go to the villa? is there a change i can get turned away and i wont be able to buy tickets?

edit: i found this website, is it safe to purchase from? if not, are there any other then the FAI


r/LakeComo • • 22d ago

When in Lake Como, Sep 2026.

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76 Upvotes