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This post will be sharing my Lake Como travel guide and how I was able to plan an affordable trip.

Before heading back to Spain at the end of the month, I took a quick trip to Lake Como. I visited Milan earlier in the year, but Lake Como as a destination blew up after my trip. After watching countless videos, I decide to visit before the end of the year.

As always, flights to Milan from Manchester are usually one of the cheapest. But I didn’t want to wait till Autumn to take the trip because Lakeside destinations tend to be cold. I figured I could take a quick trip while the weather is still around 30 degrees and still have a swell time. I’m honestly glad I waited till the end of the Summer to go.

This was a lot more enjoyable than my trip to Rome in June. There were fewer crowds, and the weather was bearable. The breeze from the lake ensured the weather was mild at all times. So, if you’re considering visiting Lake Como, I suggest you go around late Spring, the end of Summer and the beginning of Winter before it gets cold. If you decide to go during the Winter, pack enough warm clothes.

I took a quick two-night weekday trip, and I’m here to share all the details.

Lake Como Travel Guide: How To Plan An Affordable Trip

Here’s How To Plan An Affordable Trip To Lake Como

Como is a city in the Lombardy region in the Northern part of Italy. The lake is the third largest Italian lake and one of Europe’s deepest lakes. It is known for its breathtaking picturesque scenery and stunning quaint towns. The lake lies in the foothill of the Alps, a mountain range spread across eight countries. So, if you can’t afford to visit the more famous French or Swiss Alps, the Italian Alps in Lake Como is a great place to start.

Lake Como is typically combined with a trip to Milan because it is 45 minutes away by train, and there are not many attractions in Milan. So, you can squeeze both cities in a quick weekend trip away. I’ve also seen some people take a day trip to Lake Como from the U.K. This means you need to take the first flight out and the last flight back. That is a lot more stressful trip, but it is doable.

Let’s get down to business!

Flights

Cost: £52.46/€60.51 – Ryanair Return

My return flight to Milan in February cost me £26; this time, it was over £50. It goes to show you the effect of seasons on flight prices. As it was the end of the Summer, the price was still a bit high because the weather in Italy was still warm. Airlines capitalize on this information to price their flights. On a good day, during off-peak season, you’ll find a return flight to Milan for £10.

Airport Transfer

Cost: £10.40/€12.00

Lake Como Travel Guide: How To Plan An Affordable Trip

I flew into Milan Bergamo Airport on a 6.25 am flight. I landed at around 9.30 and took the Shuttle to Milan Central Station. I took this exact route in February, so it came easy. You’ll typically find the shuttle buses parked right outside the terminal. Look out for the one with a queue, buy your ticket from the driver and take a seat. It’s as simple as that. The journey takes about one hour.

Transfer from Milan To Como

Cost: £5/€4.34

The fastest and cheapest way to get to Lake Como from Milan is by train from Milan Central Station. It costs €4, and the journey takes about 40 – 45 minutes. You can get your tickets from the train station, but I always prefer to buy mine online via Trainline. It’s so much more convenient.

Three different train operators go to Como. You need to look for the cheapest one: Trenord, which has hourly trains. Any other train like the Trenitalia will cost more than 4 and will require a seat reservation. That’s too much money and stress for a 40 minutes journey.

Depending on where your accommodation is, the trains will most likely take you to the central station: Como San. Giovanni, where you can either walk or take a taxi to your hotel. Ubers don’t operate in Como, so bear that in mind.

Accommodation

Cost: £95.99/€110.80 – for two nights

Como is not the cheapest city to stay in, as a popular destination with lakeside resorts and villas. This is why many people prefer to stay in Milan and take a day trip down to Lake Como.

But if you don’t want the commute, I cannot recommend Ostello Bello Como enough. It was the cheapest hostel I could find, and despite it being pricey and busy, it exceeded expectations.

From all the facilities you’ll probably need in a modern hostel to the actual thought process that went into the interior design of the rooms, Little things like wall hooks in the rooms and bathrooms, a mini bedside stand, seasonal beddings, comfortable chairs for relaxing, and mini hanger racks go to show how thoughtful the owners are which I honestly appreciate so much.

Not forgetting the complimentary tea/coffee, groceries and toiletries, plus an 11.30 late check-out time!! To top it off, you have one of the most considerate and friendly staff providing excellent customer service.

The distance between Lake Como and the Como San Giovanni train station? A chef’s kiss!! There’s also a 24-hour supermarket beside the hostel, which is convenient for all your meals. Plus, it is a five-minute walk from the lake and ferry station. There are restaurants and gelaterias nearby for Italian food and gelatos.

Nothing screams designed by travellers for travellers like this hostel. I was glad that a group of travel friends established the franchise. It is one of the best hostels I’ve stayed in. When I go back to Como, I’ll be staying there.

Getting Around Lake Como

Cost: £22.37/€25.80 – day pass

While Como is the principal city by the lake and is great to stay as a base, the beauty of visiting Lake Como is taking the ferry to visit the nearby towns around the lake. There are over twenty towns around the lake but the most popular are three in the middle of the lake: Bellagio, Mellagio and Varenna.

The best way to explore the lake and towns is by ferry. There’s also a bus service if you wish, but nothing beats the views from the ferries. There are two major types of ferries: the regular and the fast service for passengers. There’s also a ferry/ship that transports vehicles between Mellagio and Varenna.

After spending an entire buying individual tickets to the three popular towns, based on my calculations, my advice is to buy the Free Circulation Day Pass for 25.80. It makes the most financial sense if you’re going to be hopping on and off multiple towns, which you should. Except you have a holiday home on Lake Como, there’s no point in staying in one town, especially if you have one day.

As long as you take the first regular ferry of the day to Bellagio at 9.10 am and come back before the last ferry at 7.23 pm, you have an entire day to explore.

Updated Lake Como Ferry Prices

If you are thinking of getting individual tickets or you want to know how much it generally costs, here they are:

  • Como – Bellagio
    • Regular Service one way – 10.40 (2hrs)
    • Fast Service one way – 14.80 (1hr)
  • Bellagio – Menaggio – 4.60 one way (15 mins)
  • Menaggio – Varenna – 4.60 one way (15 mins)

Check the ferry operator’s website for more information on the ticket process between each town. It might not be straightforward at first but give it time.

While taking the ferry will give you a breathtaking view of the scenery, you can also take the bus if you have time to explore each town. I recommend taking one day on the ferry and another on the bus to explore the towns properly.

Lake Como By Bus

Four major buses operate in Como; the C10, C30, D10 and D20. The first two run down the Western part of the lake, while the less frequent D10 and D20 operate on the Eastern part of the lake.

In my opinion, buses are the best way to navigate the towns so decide which ones you want to visit and take the right bus. It makes sense to visit similar towns along the bus route. For instance,

  • the C10 bus stops at Cernobbio, Argegno and Menaggio while
  • the C30 bus stops at Torno, Nesso and Bellagio,
  • the D10 bus stops at Lecco, Onno, Limonta and Bellagio and
  • the D20 bus stops at Lecco, Mandello Del Lario,Vareena and Bellano.

Check the bus operator’s websites for updated schedules and tickets. Better still, go to the bus station and ask questions before embarking on any journey for the day. In my experience, the staff are always happy to help and you get more accurate information from them.

Must-See Attractions In Como

The primary reason people visit Como is because of the lake and the towns. I don’t think anyone visits to stay in Como. But if, for some reason, you find yourself staying in Como, maybe because you arrived early like me or have a late flight to catch and don’t want to spend waste 25 on a day pass you can fully use, you can explore Como.

Surprisingly, there are a few interesting attractions, including;

  • Duomo di Como: the official Catholic cathedral of Como.
  • Tempio Voltiano: a museum dedicated to the life of Alessandro Volta, the electric battery inventor.
  • Lido Villa Olmo: a lakeside villa with pools and a bar.
  • Basilica di San Fedele: 17th-century basicilia to the Italian saint: Fidelis.
  • War Memorial: lakeside World War 1 memorial.
  • Porta Torre: an iconic 11th-century medieval entrance into the city.

If you would instead not explore, take the Funicular to Brunate. A return trip costs about €6, and you can bask in Lake Como’s stunning views. It’s a must-see.

Shopping & Meals

While Como can not be compared to Milan for shopping, there are enough stores to get the basics, including restaurants and gelaterias. Yes, it is small but it has everything you need.

If you’re on a budget, a major supermarket is open 24/7. There’s also a Mcdonald’s. Gelatos, Pizza and Pasta, will always be affordable.

Top Tips For Navigating Lake Como

Here are some of my top tips for navigating Lake Como based on my experience:

  • Get to the ferry station at least thirty minutes before to get the best seat with views on the ferry. There’s almost always a queue at the station so the earlier the better.
  • There are queues sometimes to buy tickets to factor in the queuing time.
  • Take a jacket or a scarf if you’ll be taking evening ferries. The weather gets pretty chilly, especially during the regular two-hour ferry.
  • The one-day free circulation pass is cheaper than individual tickets.
  • Be mindful of the time if you’re heading back to Como. The last ferry for the day is at 7.23 pm.
  • The regular ferry service allows you to enjoy stopping at different towns. If you’re not in a hurry, take the regular one over the fast ferry.
  • Como still requires an FFP mask on the ferries. Have one on hand.

Finally,

On my final day on Lake Como, I took the 7.10 pm ferry from Bellagio to Como, and the views were unreal. Watching the sunset whilst sitting in one of the best seats on the ferry with the breeze blowing against my face is easily one of my top ten travel moments of 2022.