Travel · By boat and train
Lake Como by boat and train: Navigazione Laghi, the car ferry and Trenord
Lake Como is best travelled on the water. Here is how to use the boats and the trains, checked against the operators’ own websites on 27 October 2026.
Updated October 2026
Boats and fast services
Navigazione Laghi publishes separate timetables for the Como–Colico boats and fast services and for the Bellagio–Lecco boats. Tickets are sold online, at the offices by the main piers and, where there is no office, on board at no extra cost; freephone 800 551801.
The car ferry of the centre lake
The car ferry links Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Varenna and Menaggio, with weekday and holiday timetables; vehicles travel only between these ferry stops.
Trenord from Milan
Trenord runs from Milano Centrale to Lecco, Varenna-Esino (about 64 minutes) and Colico, on the line to Sondrio and Tirano; trains for Como leave Milano Cadorna for Como Lago, by the lakefront, and Milano Centrale for Como San Giovanni. Works sometimes replace trains with buses: check trenord.it before you travel.
The Brunate funicular
The Funicolare Como–Brunate, inaugurated on 11 November 1894, climbs from the Como lakefront to Brunate; timetables on funicolarecomo.it.
The great train journeys
See ULTIMATE Rail Journeys for the great railway journeys of Europe and the world.
Questions and answers
Can I take my car on the Lake Como ferry?
Yes, between the car-ferry stops: Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Varenna and Menaggio.
How long is the train from Milan to Varenna?
About 64 minutes from Milano Centrale, says Trenord.
Sources: navigazionelaghi.it, trenord.it and funicolarecomo.it (checked 27 October 2026). Timetables change: always check before you travel.