How to get to Como: train, car, plane and bus
Complete guide to reaching Como by train, car, plane and bus. Como San Giovanni and Lago stations, Malpensa airport, A9 motorway and lake navigation.
Foto: Pxhere (CC0) — Wikimedia Commons
How to get to Como
Como is the gateway to Italy's most elegant lake, nestled between pre-Alpine mountains and crystal-clear waters less than an hour from Milan. Its proximity to the Lombard capital and three international airports makes this lakeside city surprisingly easy to reach.
By train
Como has two main stations. **Como San Giovanni** is the larger one, on the **Milan-Chiasso** line (Swiss border). From **Milan Centrale**, Trenord trains take about 40 minutes on regional services and about 60 minutes on the S11 commuter line. Departures are frequent, roughly every 30 minutes.
**Como Lago** (or Como Nord Lago) is the terminal station of the **Ferrovie Nord Milano** (FNM line), connected with **Milan Cadorna** in about 60 minutes. This station is closer to the lakefront and old town, just 5 minutes' walk from Piazza Cavour.
From **Switzerland**, SBB trains connect Lugano to Como in about 30 minutes via Chiasso.
Local tip
If your destination is the lakefront, choose Como Lago (from Milan Cadorna). If arriving from other Italian cities, Como San Giovanni is the right station: from there it is a 15-minute downhill walk through the centre to the lake.
By car
Como is reached via the **A9 motorway** (Milan-Chiasso), exit **Como Centro** or **Como Sud**. From **Milan** it is about 50 km (45 minutes without traffic, but on weekends and in high season traffic on the A9 can be heavy).
From **Turin**, take the A4 to Milan then the A9, about 270 km in 3 hours. From **Switzerland**, enter via the A2 motorway through Chiasso.
The **Strada Regina** (SS340) runs along the western shore of the lake towards Menaggio and offers spectacular views, but is narrow and slow.
Parking
The old town is a ZTL. Best car parks are **Autosilo Centro** (covered, in Via Auguadri, about 2 euros/hour), **Val Mulini** (covered, near the Brunate funicular) and **Ippocastano** along the lake. In summer and on weekends central car parks fill quickly: arrive early or use the train.
By plane
**Milan Malpensa Airport** (MXP) is the most convenient, about 55 km away (50 minutes by car). There are no direct Malpensa-Como trains, but you can take the **Malpensa Express** to Milan Cadorna (40 minutes) and then the FNM train to Como Lago (60 minutes).
Alternatively, a **direct bus** from some operators connects Malpensa to Como in about 60 minutes.
**Milan Linate Airport** (LIN) is about 70 km away; **Bergamo Orio al Serio** (BGY) about 90 km. Both connect to Como via Milan.
Local tip
If you hire a car at Malpensa, avoid the A9 on summer weekends: traffic towards the lake can turn 50 minutes into 2 hours. Leave early in the morning.
By bus
**ASF Autolinee** buses connect Como with lakeside towns (Cernobbio, Argegno, Menaggio, Bellagio) and with Bergamo and Lecco. The **bus station** is in Piazzale Matteotti, next to Como San Giovanni.
**FlixBus** connects Como with Milan, Turin, Rome and other Italian and European cities.
The **C30 bus** to **Bellagio** is one of the most popular: about 70 minutes through the western shore villages, a charming if slow journey.
Lake navigation
**Navigazione Lago di Como** boats connect Como with all lakeside towns: Cernobbio (10 minutes), Bellagio (2 hours by slow boat, 45 minutes by hydrofoil), Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo. Tickets can be bought at the Piazza Cavour landing stage or online.
The hydrofoil is faster but more expensive; the slow boat is an unmissable experience, with views of the historic villas lining the shore.
Local transport
Como's centre is compact and walkable. The **Como-Brunate funicular** departs from the lakefront and climbs to the panoramic viewpoint in 7 minutes: the view from the top over the entire lake is priceless.
**ASF** urban buses cover the city and outer districts. A single ticket costs about 1.50 euros. Taxi service is available at the station and in Piazza Cavour.
Discover Como
Practical info
When's the best time to go to Como?
We recommend April, May, June, September and October, the period with the smallest crowds.
How touristy is Como?
Como is not very crowded compared to the more visited destinations.
What's the location of Como?
Como is found in the area of Lombardy, Italy.
How to get there
- 🚆 Nearest station: Fino Mornasco ~7 km as the crow flies
- ✈️ Nearest airport: Aeroporto internazionale Milano Malpensa - Silvio Berlusconi MXP ~34 km as the crow flies
Nearest points as the crow flies (source OpenStreetMap): actual times depend on the roads, often mountain ones.
