Lake Como operates on its own rhythms, from ferry timetables that change with the seasons to restaurant opening hours that follow Italian meal customs. This guide covers the practical details: which airports to use, how to navigate the ferry system, what a trip actually costs, tipping norms, safety, and whether you can drink the tap water (you can). Everything here is based on 2026 prices and schedules. Explore our complete Lake Como guide for everything you need to plan your trip.
Como Travel Tips: Airports and Getting There
Lake Como is served by three airports. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the main international gateway, 50 kilometres (31 miles) southwest of Como city. The Malpensa Express train runs from MXP Terminal 1 to Milano Centrale (50 minutes, €13), then you change to a train for Como San Giovanni (40 minutes, €5.80). Total journey: roughly 2 hours including transfer time. Milan Linate (LIN) is closer at 45 kilometres (28 miles) but serves mainly European and domestic flights. Take the bus 73 from LIN to Milano Centrale (25 minutes, €2), then the train to Como. Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY), 85 kilometres (53 miles) east, serves budget airlines including Ryanair. The Terravision bus from BGY to Milano Centrale takes 50 minutes (€10), then train to Como. A taxi from Malpensa to Como city costs roughly €120 to €150 and takes 50 to 60 minutes without traffic. For more detail, see our Como weather by month.
Como Travel Tips: Getting Around the Lake
The Lake Como ferry system (Gestione Navigazione Laghi) is the essential transport network. Ferries connect Como city to all major towns, with the central hub at Bellagio where the three lake arms meet. One-way tickets cost €2.60 to €12 depending on distance (Como to Bellagio: €5.60 slow boat, €12 hydrofoil). A day pass for unlimited travel costs €25 for the central lake zone (Como-Bellagio-Colico). Hydrofoils (aliscafi) are roughly twice as fast and 50% more expensive than regular ferries (traghetti). The car ferry between Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio (Cadenabbia dock) runs every 30 minutes in summer (€4.60 one-way, €8.60 return with car). In summer (mid-June to late September), ferries run from roughly 7 AM to 9 PM. Winter schedules (November to March) operate at roughly 50% frequency. Always check the timetable at navigazionelaghi.it; printed schedules at docks are reliable. Buy tickets at the ticket office (biglietteria), not on board. Validate your ticket at the yellow machine on the dock before boarding. For more detail, see our best time to visit Como.
Como Travel Tips: What Things Cost
Lake Como is one of Italy’s more expensive destinations, comparable to the Amalfi Coast and above Venice or Rome for accommodation. A mid-range budget for two people in high season (June to September) runs roughly €250 to €400 per day including a €150 to €250 hotel, €60 to €80 for two meals (lunch: €15 to €25 per person for a pasta and a glass of wine; dinner: €30 to €50 for three courses with wine), €20 to €30 for ferry tickets, and €15 to €30 for villa entries and activities. Budget travellers can manage on €120 to €180 per day by staying in Como city (not Bellagio), eating at trattorias away from the lakefront (pasta dishes for €8 to €12), using slow ferries rather than hydrofoils, and visiting free attractions like the Greenway walk and lakeside promenades. A cappuccino costs €1.50 to €2, a glass of house wine €4 to €6, and a two-scoop gelato €3 to €4. For more detail, see our things to do in Como.
Como Travel Tips: Tipping, Language, and Customs
Tipping is not required in Italy, including Lake Como. A service charge (servizio) of €1 to €3 per person is often included on restaurant bills, listed as “coperto.” If service was exceptional, rounding up the bill or leaving €5 to €10 for a €100 meal is appreciated but never expected. No tip is needed for taxi drivers, hotel staff, or tour guides unless you want to recognise exceptional service. Italian is the primary language; English is widely spoken at hotels, major restaurants, and ferry staff but less so in small village shops or family-run trattorias. Learning “buongiorno” (good morning), “grazie” (thank you), and “il conto, per favore” (the bill, please) goes a long way. Restaurant lunch hours are strictly 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM; dinner starts at 7:30 PM and many kitchens close by 10 PM. Shops in smaller towns often close from 1 PM to 3:30 PM for riposo (midday break). For more detail, see our Como events and festivals.
Como Travel Tips: Safety, Health, and Practical Info
Lake Como is very safe by any international standard. Violent crime against tourists is essentially nonexistent. The main risks are pickpocketing on crowded ferries in July and August (keep wallets in front pockets) and slips on wet cobblestone streets after rain (the stone staircases in Bellagio and Varenna become treacherous). Tap water is safe to drink throughout the lake; it comes from Alpine sources and tastes good. Pharmacies (farmacia, marked by a green cross) can provide basic medical advice and over-the-counter medication. The main hospital (Ospedale Sant’Anna) is in Como city at Via Ravona; for emergencies dial 112. Italy uses Type F and Type L electrical sockets (230V). Mosquitoes are active near the water from May through September; bring repellent, especially if your accommodation is lakefront. The sun is strong at lake level due to reflection off the water; use SPF 30+ even on cloudy summer days. For more detail, see our best neighborhoods in Como.
Como Travel Tips: When to Book and What to Reserve in Advance
Lake Como rewards advance planning in high season. Book hotels 3 months ahead for July and August stays in Bellagio, Varenna, and Tremezzo; 1 to 2 months ahead for Como city. Villa del Balbianello does not take timed-entry reservations, but arriving at 10 AM opening avoids 60 to 90 minute queues that build by 11 AM. Villa Carlotta rarely has entry queues. For the best restaurants, book 1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer: Al Prato in Varenna, Mistral at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio (1 month ahead for weekend tables), and Ristorante Sociale in Como city. Ferry tickets do not need advance booking; buy at the dock on the day. The Lake Como Festival concerts at Villa del Balbianello sell out within days of programme announcement; sign up for the mailing list if you are targeting a specific date. For more detail, see our where to stay in Como.
Suggested Hotels in Como
Hotel Barchetta Excelsior
A member of the Villa d’Este Hotels group on Piazza Cavour, directly facing the lake and ferry terminal. Rooms with a lake-view balcony cost roughly €250 to €350 per night in high season; this is the best four-star location in Como city. Best for couples who want a central lakefront base. Check rates and availability
Hotel Metropole Suisse
Lakefront four-star with terrace restaurant, 100 metres from Piazza Cavour. Rooms run €140 to €220 per night with breakfast included, offering solid value for a lake-view Como hotel. Best for travellers who want a reliable mid-range hotel with restaurant views. Check rates and availability
Hotel Engadina
Three-star near Como San Giovanni station, 10 minutes’ walk from the centre. Rooms run €70 to €110 with breakfast, the best budget option with air conditioning and private bathrooms. Best for budget travellers using Como as a day-trip base. Check rates and availability
