Milan to Lake Como

The route via Varenna has frequent service on both the train and the ferry connection but it's not the only option.

If you are in Como town at the bottom of the lake, there is one direct ferry from Como to Bellagio at noon, which takes 2 hours. Or Bus line C30 goes directly from both S. Giovanni train station to Bellagio in about 1 hour: https://www.asfautolinee.it/content/it/orari-rete-extraurbana.

Either ferry dock is an easy walk with luggage, either level or downhill, but takes a minimum of 10 minutes and you need time to buy ferry tickets. Timetables for the lake boats are searchable at http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/index.asp.

By "booked" do you mean you purchased a nonrefundable ticket? One way, or round trip? If it is a "base" fare, you might be able to get it refunded and use it for one of the trains to Varenna. If it is a Regionale ticket, for 4.80 EUR each way, it might not be worth the trouble. In that case, you can either toss it and write it off to experience, or proceed as Laura suggests and take the bus from Como S. Giovanni to Bellagio.

Regionali can be bought day of travel and validated in the stamping machines before boarding. There are no seat reservation.

Did you buy through Rail Europe? They usually don't show Regionali because they are so cheap that they can't make a profit from them.

I have a nonrefundable ticket but I am willing to eatthe cost. If the ferry runs only at noon from Como San Giovanni, I would rather repurchase where there is more accessibility. Had we not bought these tickets, can you please share the best train option from Milan to Como. I hear that Varenna is lovely. Is this a better route. Also, is it better to take a different train back to MIlan.
Thank you

Just to clarify. Como is a town. The lake is Lake Como. Take the train from Milan to Varenna, then ferry to Bellagio.

You will buy a Regionals ticket for Varennna-Esino train station. You must validate your ticket on the machine near the platform. If in doubt as to its location, ask someone. ( We did.) The ride is Lovely! Try to sit on the left of the train and be sure to disembark as soon as you get to the station. I read that the train doesn't stop for long. The ferry dock is a 10 min walk down a hill to the ferry dock. There are minimal sidewalks, so watch out for traffic. You can purchase your ferry ticket to Bellagio at the dock. It is about a 15 min ride to Bellagio.

Do you suggest buying this train ticket in advance for mid August?

One more thing, buy your return ticket to Milano Centrale when you buy you ticket to Varenna. There is no ticket office in Varenna, and the regionals tickets are good for 4 days anyway, I believe. I forgot to tell you that the train ride is about an hour in length each way. Also, you may want to scope out Varenna a bit before you leave this lovely place. Just walking the promenade next to the water from the ferry to the charming cafes is worth the time. Personally, we loved Varenna more than Bellagio.

No, wait until you are in Italy. I don't know where you will be before Milan, but you can buy a Regionals ticket at most train stations. We got ours in Monterosso the day before we left there for Varenna via Milano Centrale.

If you have to go to Como city, you could try the local railway from Milan Cadorna to Como Lago nord. The end of this line is very near the ferry dock - if you manage to put a workable connection together this could be an alternative access to Bellagio from a different direction. But train to Varenna and then ferry is easier.