You can reach Lake Como from Milan:

1. by train
2. by car
3. by cab

1. By train

In Milan, there are 3 train stations that offer departures to Lake Como and all can be easily reached by subway or cab. The ordinary metro ticket costs 2 € and is valid for 90 minutes. Here is the pdf map of Milan’s underground network and urban railway system.

Como has two train stations:

1. Como San Giovanni, here arrive the trains that depart from Milano Centrale and  Milano Porta Garibaldi

2. Como Lago Nord, here arrive the trains that depart from Cadorna station

Departure from Milano Centrale station – to Como San Giovanni station

Milano Centrale is the city’s main train station, from where you can reach most of the national destinations. If you use the subway, you must be on the M2 (green line) or on the M3 (yellow line) and get off at ‘Centrale’.

You can buy the train ticket at the desk in the station, from the Trenitalia vending machines, online, and at a double price on the train. There are two types of trains, both will bring you to Lake Como in 40-45 minutes. The first one (recommended) is the regional train of the Trenord company, and the second (more expensive) is the Eurocity of the Trenitalia. Watch out to get off on time at the Como San Giovanni (don’t forget that you should press the button to open the door) because the train might proceed further to Switzerland.

Buy the tickets or check the departure schedule here.

Check from which track the train leaves on the live screens, the Italian word for ‘departures’ is ‘partenze’. Once you get to the Como San Giovanni train station, go straight ahead from the entrance, take the long staircase down, cross the small park and the street at the traffic light, then proceed always straight ahead for about 7-8 mins until you reach the main square, Piazza Cavour (on your way you will be crossing Piazza Volta, a smaller square with several bars and restaurants). Arrived in the main square, you will find the lake to your left and in the upper corner of the square the main street leading to the historical part of Como including the Cathedral.

Departure from Cadorna station – to Como Nord lago station

Cadorna train station is located near the Sforzesco Castle and is a 20-minute walk from the Duomo. If you use the subway, you must be on the M1 (red line) or on the M2 (green line) and get off at ‘Cadorna’. You can buy the train ticket at the desks situated on the far-left corner from the entrance, from the Trenord vending machines, online, and at a double price on the train.

This is a regional train that will bring you to Lake Como in 60 – 75 minutes.

Buy the tickets or check the departure schedule here.

You must get off at ‘Como Nord Lago’, and not at ‘Como Nord Borghi’ or ‘Como Nord Camerlata’. Don’t worry, yours is the final stop. Once you got there, you will see the lake. Just cross the street and you are on the promenade. Proceed to the left and in 3 mins you will arrive at the main square Piazza Cavour and the Duomo.

Departure from Milano Porta Garibaldi – to Como San Giovanni

This train station is the most distant from the city center of Milan. If you use the subway, you must be on the M2 (green line) and get off at ‘Garibaldi’. You can buy the ticket at the desks in the station, from the Trenitalia vending machines, online, and at a double price on the train.

There are two types of trains, the first one is the regional of the Trenord company (60-70 min. trip) and the second (more expensive) is the Eurocity of the Trenitalia (40-45 min. trip). Watch out to get off on time at the Como San Giovanni (don’t forget that you should press the button to open the door) because the train might proceed further to Switzerland.

Buy the tickets or check the departure schedule here.

Check from which track the train leaves on the live screens, the Italian word for ‘departures’ is ‘partenze’. Once you get to the Como San Giovanni train station, go straight ahead from the entrance, take the long staircase down, cross the small park and the street at the traffic light, then proceed always straight ahead for about 7-8 mins until you reach the main square, Piazza Cavour (on your way you will be crossing Piazza Volta, a smaller square with several bars and restaurants). Arrived in the main square, you will find the lake to your left and in the upper corner of the square the main street leading to the historical part of Como including the Cathedral.

2. By car

There are three ways to reach Lake Como by car, check this link

for a detailed list with all the possible routes and the respective costs and trip duration. I recommend using Google Maps or a navigator.

Once you got to Como city, you may find a parking lot for a couple of hours (limited duration) around this area. In case of high occupancy or/and a longer parking time (e.g. an entire day) you might leave your car in one of the big car parks near the lake:

Parcheggio Centro Lago and Como Parking. Both charge € 2.40/hour or € 20/day (prices may differ). Another parking solution is Viale Varese, paid parking places on the left side of the street.

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