You would think this is easy, right? There appears to be more than one train station in Milan, and more that one train station in Como (Lake Como) as well as different train companies! What is the quickest and easiest way for us to go from Milan to Como on Lake Como---what station names are we looking for?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Trenitalia (Italian Rail) trains run from Milano Centrale to Como S. Giovanni. For timetables and fares go to www.trenitalia.com.
The private train company FERROVIENORD operates trains from Milano Cadorna to Como Borghi and Como Lago. For timetables and fares go here<A/.
Posted by
Oak Park, IL, United States
56 posts
Milan Centrale to Varenna! I believe it takes about an hour.
Posted by
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
705 posts
I travelled Milan to Como from Milano Centrale to Como S. Giovanni 2 years ago. The station is a bit out of town but there are buses that will take you down to the lake where you can get the ferry. It was raining the day we arrived and so we got a cab around the lake to Argengo. Cost was 50Euro and you have to pay for the cab to return to Como. OK expensive but worth it for us at the time.
Posted by
Dallas, TX, USA
26 posts
Yeah, it just depends on where you are going in Lake Como. Just find a Departure train schedule in the Milan train station and find a route that goes to the town you are looking for. It is easier than you think I promise. =) We went from Milan Centrale to Varenna and it was really easy to figure out when you look at the schedule. Or you can just type the name of the town in to the machines when you buy your ticket.
Posted by
Northborough, MA
636 posts
Or, you can rent a car. We did this a few years ago (stayed in Bellagio), and we enjoyed having the car. Most days, we didn't use it. But, one day, we took the car on a ferry across the lake, then drove to Lugano, Switzerland for the day. And, another day, we just explored around the lake and enjoyed a ride into the mountains behind Bellagio. The drive from Milan to Bellagio itself was easy - narrow roads, but that's typical.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
45 posts
We went through Varenna as well, but if you are leaving from Varenna be sure to buy your tickets ahead of time as the Varenna station has no ticket buying options there. You'd have to buy them in town.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
Jane, is Como your final destination, or just a transit point to somewhere else on Lago di Como? Your departure point will be Milano Centrale and you'll be going to Como San Giovanni (about a 40 minute trip).
If you're travelling to one of the mid-lake destinations (Varenna or Bellagio), travel via Varenna is the best option (about a one hour trip). The destination station is called "Varenna Esino". If that's the route you'll be taking, post another note and I'll provide further information.
Cheers!