If there's a place that looks exactly like a postcard, or at least, deserves to be on one, it's Lake Como. This region in Italy is astoundingly beautiful, almost like a dream that you won't want to wake up from. The beautiful hills, the charming towns, and the scenic lake that's central to it all. Everything here seems so unreal, don't they? But while it does all look like a dream, it's an actual place that you can travel to. How do you do it? Here are the most convenient ways to get to Lake Como.
Departing from Milan
The easiest way to get to Lake Como is to come from Milan. Since both places are located in Lombardy, and the city is an internationally known metropolis, Milan is often the starting point to get to Lake Como. You can fly to Milan and land at Malpensa Airport, the biggest of its kind in the city, and simply take a bus or train to Lake Como. Just make sure to plan ahead as Milan is a pretty busy city overall. Even with its complex
public transport, you can still be late to your train or bus if you don't hurry.
Starting In Switzerland
If not in Milan, you can also start in Switzerland instead. Since the Lombardy region lies on the border between northern Italy and Switzerland, you can start from the latter to get to Lake Como. The nearest Swiss city is Lugano, located in the Italian-speaking Ticino region. Lugano is only 19 miles from Lake Como, which means that you can easily take the train, board a bus, or even go on a road trip to get here. Just remember to have the necessary documents prepared as you will be crossing from one country to another. Fortunately, if you already have a
Schengen Visa, it won't be that much of a problem!
Taking the Train
As previously mentioned, taking the train is one of the most common ways to get to Lake Como. The main station in the area is Como San Giovanni and no matter which direction you're coming from, this is the only entry point into Lake Como. Also previously mentioned is that departing from Milan is the easiest way to get to Lake Como and this rings true when taking the train. Even if you boarded a train from another part of Italy, you'll need to transfer to another one in Milan to reach Lake Como. All trains leave every half hour so always be aware of the time when going to Lake Como.
Boarding The Bus
Not a fan of the train? You can always board a bus instead. Again, the best way is to start in Milan. Just like with trains, even if you boarded a bus from a different city, it will still pass by Milan and you'll need to transfer buses to get to Lake Como. Do note that only six buses leave from Milan to Lake Como each day, which means it's better to purchase your ticket beforehand, preferably online through a
transportation app. If you're coming from Switzerland, on the other hand, take a
Euroline bus to reach Lake Como. This is the only bus company that travels throughout the European continent freely.
Driving to Lake Como
What if you prefer to drive to Lake Como? After all, the area itself is such a beautiful place, it'd be a pity if you simply pass by via train or bus. At least, when you take a road trip to Lake Como, you can better enjoy the scenery on the way. So, how do you do it? Well, if you're coming from Milan, take the A9 Autostrada motorway and you'll reach Lake Como in no time. That is if there's no traffic. If you depart from Lugano, Switzerland, on the other hand, take Route 2 that goes to E35/A9 in Italy.
Getting Around Lake Como
Getting to Lake Como and getting around Lake Como are two totally different things. Once you actually get to the lakeside region, which consists of many cities, you'll need to know how to move around here. Of course, ther are still buses and taxis that travel throughout the various towns in the area. If your next destination is on the coast by the lake, you have the option of taking a ferry there as well. Overall, before anything else, it's best if you prepared a schedule, bought tickets and laid out your plans beforehand. It'll be easier to navigate public transportation in Lake Como this way.
Lake Como is such a beautiful place that it almost feels unreal. But it is, in fact, an actual place and you don't have to fall asleep to dream to get here. All you need to do is to follow any of these tips to reach Lake Como and you'll get there in no time!
