How to Reach Lake Como by Train From Milano
Varenna railway station
If you are in Milano and want to reach Lake Como by train, bear in mind that on the eastern coast you can stop at several villages (Lecco, Varenna, Bellano, to mention but the most popular ones), whereas on the western shore the only stations are in Como city (Como San Giovanni and Como Nord Lago, both linking Como with Milano in 1 hour): from here the only ways to proceed your journey are by bus, taxi or ferry.
The first thing to do before planning your trip is to download the official TreNord app (for Android and iOS) that will allow you to purchase tickets in advance (this way you’ll avoid queues at the train stations) and to be posted on every possible delay related to your train.
On the official website of Trenitalia you can easily schedule your trip selecting day, time, and stations of departure and arrival. Just remember to flag “all trains”, so that you can have a complete overview of all possible solutions available.
How to reach the western branch from Milano
Basically if you are in Milano you have three possibilities to reach the city of Como by train:
From Milano Porta Garibaldi to Como San Giovanni: Suburban train, Line S11 (1 hour)
From Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni: regional train (40’)
From Milano Nord Cadorna to Como Nord Lago: regional train (1 hour)
Price for a second class is always € 4.80.
Train from Milano Porta Garibaldi to Como S. Giovanni
Train from Milano Centrale to Como S. Giovanni
The train from Milano Nord Cadorna to Como Nord Lago station
How to reach the eastern branch from Milano
Differently, if you want to reach the eastern branch of the lake, you can jump on the train to Sondrio or Tirano directly from Milano Centrale: you’ll be able to stop in Lecco, Abbadia Lariana, Lierna, Varenna, Bellano, Colico and many other quaint villages.
Consider also that Lecco (40′ by train from Milan) is an important interchange point for those who are traveling to Oliveto Lario or Bellagio: just out of the station, you will find a bus that will take you to there in only 45′.
How to get to Lake Como from the airports
If you land with your flight in Malpensa, you can take the Tilo S50, a brand new line (it’s been created in June 2018!) that links the airport to Varese and from Varese you can take the Tile S40 that link Varese- Mendrisio - Como.
Another way to reach Malpensa, anyway, is to take the train headed to Saronno-Milano and stop in Saronno; here, then, you can change and take the Malpensa Express shuttle that will lead you to both terminals in approximately 20 minutes.
From Linate Airport there’s plenty of companies running shuttles to Milano Centrale; from Bergamo you can take the Orio Shuttle or the Airport Bus Express to Milano Centrale in 50 minutes.
Are you planning a trip to Lake Como for your house hunting and you need helpful tips to get around?