How to get to Stresa: complete transport guide

How to get to Stresa

Stresa, the queen of Lake Maggiore, overlooking the Borromean Islands with the Alps in the background, is one of Italy's most elegant lakeside resorts. Well connected for a town of its size, it offers several transport options.

By air: Malpensa close by

**Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)** is very close, just 40 km from Stresa. This is a major advantage over other Italian lakeside destinations: you can be from the gate to the lakefront in under an hour.

**From Malpensa to Stresa**: direct train via **Malpensa Express + regional** service or car/taxi (about 40 minutes)
**Milan Linate (LIN)**: about 100 km, connected via Milano Centrale then train to Stresa
**Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY)**: about 130 km, less practical but useful for low-cost arrivals

By train: direct connection from Milan

Stresa has a railway station on the **Milan-Domodossola-Simplon** line, one of northern Italy's main railway lines.

**From Milano Centrale**: direct Trenord regional train, about **1 hour and 10 minutes**. Good frequency with trains roughly every hour. There are also EC (Eurocity) Milan-Geneva trains stopping at Stresa in about 1 hour
**From Torino Porta Nuova**: regional train with change at Novara or Domodossola, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Or Frecciabianca to Milan then regional
**From Domodossola**: regional train, about 30 minutes. Useful for those arriving from Switzerland
**From Switzerland**: EC trains from Geneva, Lausanne and Bern stop at Stresa. The Simplon line directly connects Switzerland to Lake Maggiore

Stresa station is just a few minutes' walk from the lakefront and the pier for the Borromean Islands.

By ferry: the Borromean Islands and the lake

**Navigazione Lago Maggiore boats** connect Stresa with the islands and other lakeside towns.

**Isola Bella**: about 5 minutes by boat from Stresa
**Isola dei Pescatori**: about 10 minutes
**Isola Madre**: about 20 minutes
**Verbania/Pallanza**: about 20 minutes
**Laveno** (Lombard shore): about 20 minutes by car ferry
**Arona**: about 40 minutes

Boats are the main way to explore the lake and visit the islands. Frequent service from March to October, reduced in winter.

By car: routes and parking

From Milan (about 80 km)

**A8/A26** motorway (Lakes Motorway) to the **Carpugnino/Stresa** exit. About 1 hour.

From Turin (about 130 km)

**A4** motorway to Santhia, then **A26** to Carpugnino/Stresa. About 1 hour and 30 minutes.

From Malpensa (about 40 km)

**SS336** dual carriageway to the **A26**, Carpugnino/Stresa exit. About 40 minutes.

From Switzerland (via Simplon)

Cross the **Simplon Pass** or travel through the **Simplon Tunnel** (railway). From Domodossola to Stresa about 30 minutes by car.

Parking

Stresa has more car parks than other lakeside villages, but they fill up in high season.

**Lakefront car park**: paid, near the pier
**Lido car park**: paid, central area
**Mottarone cable car car park**: spacious, in the upper part
**Side street parking**: paid blue zones

By bus

**SAF/VCO Trasporti**: buses from Verbania and other lakeside towns
**Flixbus**: some routes from Milan and Turin with stops at or near Stresa

Buses are not the main transport: train and boat are far more convenient.

From Milan: the main connection

Milan is the natural starting point.

**Regional train**: 1 hour and 10 minutes, direct, the best choice
**Eurocity**: 1 hour, but less frequent and more expensive
**Car**: 1 hour via A26, convenient for exploring the Piedmont shore of the lake
**From Malpensa**: train or car, just 40 minutes

Practical tips

**Malpensa very close**: a rare advantage for a tourist destination. The airport is less than an hour away
**Train recommended**: direct connection, station near the lake, no parking hassle
**Boat essential**: to visit the Borromean Islands you need the boats. The day ticket is good value
**Mottarone cable car**: from Stresa it ascends Monte Mottarone (1,491 m) with views over seven lakes
**Switzerland within reach**: Locarno and Ascona are reachable by boat or car across the border
**In town**: Stresa can be explored on foot in 1-2 hours. The lakefront is flat and well-kept, ideal for strolling