Lugano to Lake Como Possible by Bus?

You can travel from Lugano to Menaggio by bus #631 in 45 minutes. From Menaggio, it’s a 15-minute ferry ride to Bellagio. The ferries make it possible to reach towns all around Lake Como. You might also enjoy taking the ferry to the town of Lecco on the eastern shore of Lake Como. Lecco is a very authentic Italian town and not overtouristed. If you’re looking for a place to eat, a restaurant with delicious cuisine near the waterfront is “Autentico.”
Your Swiss Travel Pass will be valid for these journeys only in Switzerland.

According to Tripadvisor, Bus 631 only runs once a day and leaves Lugano in the afternoon. I've seen Bus C12 suggested but can't confirm whether it still operates and at which stops/times.

you can also take the very short train ride from Lugano to Como San Giovanni and get over to the lake and get the ferries, both fast and slow (I prefer the slow ones) which go everywhere on the lake.

Here is the C112 bus schedule between Lugano and Menaggio. It runs several times per day.
https://www.asfautolinee.it/wp-content/uploads/pdf/invernale/C112.pdf

Thanks Sam. I see a lot of results online for C12 not C112 and I don't believe it's a typo. Perhaps the C12 was discontinued?

Can someone please confirm whether I am interpreting the tables correctly,

Departing from Lugano - Stazione FFS Piazzale:

• 6:50 AM
• 8:25 AM
• 9:30 AM

Departing from Menaggio - Piazza Roma:

• 7:07 PM
• 7:48 PM

My interpretation for the return from Menaggio, Piazza Roma is 17:05 and 17:35. Note the 17:05 is only M-F and terminates at the Lugano Cassarate Bus Terminal, and not the Lugano train station.

How did you conclude that? Why not the later times?

I does not look like those buses go all the way to Lugano, but only as far as Porlezza.

Oh I understand now, thank you. I wish we could spend more time in the Lake Como area and leave for Lugano later. I figured there would be a better way. I suppose we could pay more for a private taxi or take the train, but that would be a 2 hr trip back.

Yes, you could take the C110 to Como S. Giovanni station and get a train back to Lugano. Leave Piazza Roma as late as 9:05 PM. That would be 2 hours. There is also a 7:05 PM bus.

or take the train, but that would be a 2 hr trip back.

the trains between Lugano and Como S Giovanni are every few minutes, about 5 times an hour and take 33 to 45 minutes

the return trains reduce to 4 an hour in the evening - the last is at 00:05.

It is true that the ferries on the lake diminish in the evening and after dark.

you might consider going one way by bus and the other by train, and linking with the ferries (very scenic, especially the slow ferries).

Need your help again. Say I want to stay later and not take the 5:35 PM C112 bus from Menaggio, what options do I have to travel from Bellagio to Como (where I will take a train to Lugano)?

I'm pretty sure I could take the C130 bus, but why does the timetable not match the https://www.asfautolinee.it/ route search result? Have some of the Bellagio stops like Lido been removed?

What if I wanted to travel by ferry? The navigazionelaghi.it website appears to only show availability until 10/05? I would be traveling after. I don't understand how to maneuver their website. And which ferry pass would I need to cover Menaggio - Varenna - Bellagio - Como?

What day are you planning on doing this day trip? That effects the bus schedule.

Tuesday October 7