How to get from Lake Como to Milan
As Italy’s economic capital, Milan is Italy’s business and fashion-centric city. Here is where luxury and art unite. A more modern city compared to cultural and historical Rome.
Milan boasts of a massive collection of old and new art masterpieces, particularly Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. Everywhere you look, you find jaw-dropping architecture – from its more recent skyscrapers to the age-old Milan Cathedral.
2 ways to get from Lake Como to Milan
You can travel the 85 km distance from Lake Como to Milan in 2 ways: by taking a 1-hour train for €5 ($5) or a 50-minute bus for €6 ($6).
We prefer taking the train from Lake Como to Milan because they are direct and convenient. There are various train lines available, and you can pick whichever will take you closest to your destination in Milan. Fares start from €5 ($5) for the 1-hour train journey.
Alternatively, you can take the bus for €6 ($6). Buses operating on this route are very comfortable. However, travel time is highly dependent on traffic conditions, so the estimated travel time of 50 minutes can take longer. The arrival station is also a bit far from Milan city centre.
Itinerary from Lake Como to Milan
Lake Como to Milan by Train
The train is an easy way to get from Lake Como to Milan. You can board the train from 2 different stations in Como. Just note that your arrival point at Milan will depend on where you departed from in Como.
- Trains from S. Giovanni Station will take you to Milan Centrale and Porta Garibaldi.
- Trains from Nord Lago arrive at Milano Cadorna.
We recommend checking the nearest railway stations to your hotel to minimize extra travel time by taxi.
Trains are available every 30 minutes from 05:16 to 22:49. A train ticket costs €6 ($6) for the 1-hour journey.
You can check Omio for a detailed schedule and the best prices for this journey from Lake Como to Milan.
Coming from Bellagio?
Are you coming from the lovely village of Bellagio? In order to take a train, you’ll first have to travel 40 km south to Como city centre. You can do this by either taking a boat or a bus from Bellagio to Como.
Bellagio to Como by Boat
If you’re hoping for one last picturesque ride before leaving Lake Como, then we recommend taking the boat.
There are two kinds of boats available. A hydrofoil takes 45 minutes and costs €14.80 ($15.50). Another option is a slow boat that takes 2 to reach Como centre with prices from €10.40 ($11).
Ferries from Bellagio arrive at Navigazione Lago di Como, which is conveniently located 400m west of Como Nord Lago and 900m northeast of S. Giovanni Station.
Bellagio to Como by Bus
A cheaper alternative to the boat is to take the C30 bus to Como. The bus ride will take about 1 hour 10 minutes and cost €3.70 ($3.90).
Buses park at S. Giovanni Bus Stop, which is just in front of the train station.
Want to travel straight to the Milan Airport?
If you’re planning to go straight from Lake Como to Milan Airport, then you’ll have to take 2 trains.
- Board the train from Como S. Giovanni Station. This train takes around an hour to Milan Centrale. The ticket costs €5 ($5).
- Transfer to a Malpensa Express train bound for the airport. You can get a ticket for €13 ($13.50). This train ride would take around 50 minutes.
Lake Como to Milan by Bus
If the train is fully booked, the bus is a good alternative to travel from Lake Como to Milan. The estimated travel time is 50 minutes. Note, though, that buses can depart late and get stuck in traffic, so you can expect the ride to take a bit longer.
This route is operated by FlixBus, which is known for its competitive pricing, but unfortunately also known for delayed departures.
A bus ticket costs €6 ($6). Departure times change all the time, so it’s best to visit the FlixBus website for the latest schedules.
Check Bus Tickets with FlixBus
Note that there are also buses from TrenItaly operating on this route, but unfortunately, the buses take longer (around 2 hours).
Departure and arrival station
You can board the bus at S. Giovanni Bus Stop, located 800m south of Lake Como and just beside the train station.
The bus will arrive Lampugnano Bus Station. This station is still 7 km away from Milan city centre.
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About the author(s)
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
