12 Best Day Trips from Lake Como 2026 (With Train Times + Costs)
Milan is the single best day trip from Lake Como. The train from Varenna takes just 65 minutes and costs as little as €7.40, with 16 departures daily (Trainline, 2026). But Lake Como sits at a crossroads between Italy and Switzerland, meaning Lugano, Bellinzona, and even the Bernina Express are all within easy reach too.
[INTERNAL-LINK: complete Lake Como travel guide → /lake-como-travel-guide/]
Key Takeaways
– Milan is the fastest city day trip: 65 min by train from €7.40 (Trainline, 2026)
– Lugano (Switzerland) is just 40 min from Como by train. Bring your passport.
– The Golden Triangle ferry loop (Bellagio-Varenna-Menaggio) costs €10-15 per crossing
– Non-EU travelers: EES border checks begin in 2026. Allow extra time at Swiss crossings.
– 12 destinations covered with transport time, cost, and difficulty ratingAffiliate Disclosure: Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we genuinely trust. Learn more.
Day Trips from Lake Como at a Glance
| Destination | Travel Time | Approx. Cost (transport) | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | 65 min (train) | €7-10 return | Easy | Culture, shopping, Last Supper |
| Lugano, Switzerland | 34-40 min (train) | €13-22 one way | Easy | Swiss city, lake, Monte San Salvatore |
| Bergamo | 1h 43min (train) | €8-14 return | Medium | UNESCO old town, funicular, food |
| Golden Triangle Ferry Loop | 30-90 min per leg | €10-15 per crossing | Easy | Lake scenery, village hopping |
| Bellinzona, Switzerland | ~1.5-2h (train) | €18-28 one way | Medium | UNESCO castles, medieval history |
| Lake Maggiore / Isola Bella | 1h 15min (train + ferry) | €15-25 total | Medium | Baroque gardens, Borromean Islands |
| Villa Carlotta / Tremezzina | 30-45 min (ferry) | €10-15 ferry + €17.50 entry | Easy | Gardens in bloom (April-May) |
| Bernina Express (Tirano-St. Moritz) | 2h 30min each way | €60-80 round trip | Hard (full day) | UNESCO railway, Alpine scenery |
| Varenna Village | 15-30 min (ferry or train) | €4-10 | Easy | Photogenic village, castle views |
| Lecco | 45 min (train) | €4-6 return | Easy | Manzoni history, lakefront lunch |
| Pavia | ~2h (train via Milan) | €12-18 return | Medium | Certosa monastery, university town |
| Verona | ~2h (train) | €18-30 return | Medium | Romeo + Juliet sites, Arena di Verona |
Source: Trainline (2026), Omio (2025), compiled by Travel Tip Now
Is Milan the Best Day Trip from Lake Como?
Milan tops the list for good reason. Trenitalia and Trenord run 16 trains daily between Varenna-Esino and Milano Centrale, with fares starting at €7.40 each way (Trainline, 2026). The journey takes around 65 minutes, making it easy to fit a full day of sightseeing without rushing.
[INTERNAL-LINK: things to do in Lake Como → /best-things-to-do-in-lake-como/]
How to Get There
Take the train from Varenna-Esino or Como San Giovanni to Milano Centrale. Book in advance on Trainline or Trenitalia’s website. First departures leave around 6:00 AM, last returns around 10:00 PM.
What to Do in Milan
The Duomo is free to enter the cathedral itself (rooftop access costs €7-14). Book the Last Supper (Leonardo da Vinci’s Cenacolo) weeks in advance. Tickets sell out fast at around €15-20 per person.
The Brera district offers independent boutiques and the Pinacoteca di Brera gallery (€15). For fashion, the Quadrilatero della Moda (Montenapoleone area) is walkable from the Duomo in under 20 minutes.
Cost Breakdown
- Train return: €15-20
- Duomo rooftop: €14
- Last Supper: €15-20 (book online)
- Lunch: €12-20 at a trattoria
Day total: approx. €55-75 per person
Book Milan city tours via GetYourGuide →
Insider tip: Buy a 24-hour Milan metro pass (€7) if you plan to visit the Last Supper (near Cadorna) and the Duomo. Walking is doable but the metro saves 30+ minutes.
Can You Do a Day Trip from Lake Como to Switzerland? (Lugano)
Yes, and it’s one of the easiest best day trips from Lake Como. The train from Como San Giovanni to Lugano takes just 34-40 minutes, with around 11 connections daily and fares from €13 one way (Omio, 2025). Lugano sits right across the Swiss border, offering a lake city with a noticeably different pace.
Switzerland Border Crossing: What You Need to Know
This is the gap every competitor misses. Lugano and Bellinzona are in Switzerland, which means:
- Passport required: EU ID cards work for EU nationals, but a valid passport is strongly recommended for non-EU travelers (US, UK, AU, CA)
- Currency: Switzerland uses CHF (Swiss Francs), not Euros. Some places accept Euros but at poor exchange rates. Withdraw CHF from an ATM on arrival or use a no-fee card.
- EES (Entry/Exit System) 2026: The EU’s new EES border check system launched in 2025. While Switzerland is not in the EU Schengen zone for EES purposes, border protocols have changed. Allow an extra 15-20 minutes at the border for first-time biometric checks.
- ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System): Non-EU travelers who need ETIAS authorization for Europe will also need it for Switzerland starting 2026. Check requirements before you travel.
Get a local eSIM for Switzerland so you’re not paying roaming fees. Airalo offers Switzerland data plans from around $5 for 7 days.
What to Do in Lugano
Monte San Salvatore offers panoramic views over the lake and Alps. The funicular to the top costs around CHF 26 return and takes 12 minutes. The lakeside promenade (Lungolago) is free and beautiful. The old town (centro storico) has good gelato and cafe culture.
Cost Breakdown
- Train return (Como-Lugano): €26-44 (fares in both EUR and CHF)
- Monte San Salvatore funicular: CHF 26 (~€27)
- Lunch in Lugano: CHF 20-35 (~€21-37)
Day total: approx. €80-110 per person
Book Lugano day tours → | Check train times on Trainline →
Bergamo: UNESCO Old Town + Funicular
Bergamo’s Città Alta (Upper City) was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017 as part of the Venetian Walls group. It ranks as one of the best day trips from Lake Como for architecture lovers, though the journey requires a connection. Total train time runs 1h 43min to 2h 17min via Lecco (Trainline, 2025).
How to Get There
From Varenna or Como, take the train toward Lecco, then connect to Bergamo. The funicular up to Città Alta costs just €1.50 each way and runs frequently from around 7 AM to midnight.
What to Do in Bergamo
The Piazza Vecchia is the heart of the upper city, ringed by medieval buildings and the Torre Civica (bell tower, €5 to climb). The Cappella Colleoni has some of the finest Renaissance artwork in Lombardy, and entry is free.
For food, Bergamo’s casoncelli (stuffed pasta) and polenta e osei (a sweet pastry shaped like birds) are both must-tries. The lower city has more affordable restaurants than Como itself.
Cost Breakdown
- Train return: €8-14
- Funicular return: €3
- Lunch: €12-18
Day total: approx. €25-40 per person. The best value day trip on this list.
Check Bergamo train times on Trainline →
The Golden Triangle Ferry Loop (Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio)
The most photogenic half-day trip requires no train at all. The Golden Triangle connects Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio by car ferry, with crossings costing €10-15 per person each way. Ferries run roughly every 30 minutes from around 7 AM to 10 PM in peak season (Navigazione Lago di Como, 2026).
Step-by-Step Ferry Timetable
- Start at Como or Varenna (catch the slow ferry or hydrofoil to Bellagio, 1-2h or 15 min respectively)
- Bellagio: Walk the lakefront promenade, stop at Villa Melzi gardens (€8 entry), grab a coffee on Piazza della Repubblica. Allow 2-3 hours.
- Cross to Varenna by car ferry: ~15-20 min, runs every 30 min. Buy tickets at the dock. No advance booking needed.
- Varenna: Castello di Vezio (€5 entry), Villa Monastero gardens (€6), narrow harbor steps for photos. Allow 1.5-2 hours.
- Return: Hydrofoil or ferry back to Como or Varenna train station
Cost Breakdown
- Ferry crossings (2-3 legs): €20-30
- Villa Melzi (Bellagio): €8
- Castello di Vezio (Varenna): €5
- Lunch in Bellagio: €15-22
Half-day total: approx. €50-65 per person
Insider tip: Take the first ferry of the day from Varenna to Bellagio (around 7:30 AM) to beat the cruise groups that arrive from Como by 10 AM. Bellagio’s harbor is genuinely peaceful before 9:30.
Bellinzona, Switzerland: Three UNESCO Castles
Bellinzona is Switzerland’s most underrated day trip from the lake. The town holds three medieval castles (Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro), all listed as UNESCO World Heritage since 2000. Journey time from Lugano or Como runs roughly 1.5-2 hours total with a connection.
What to Do in Bellinzona
Castelgrande (the largest castle) is free to walk around the grounds, with the museum inside costing around CHF 10. The Saturday market at the base of the castle is one of the best in Ticino: fresh produce, local cheeses, and charcuterie.
The town itself is small enough to cover on foot in a half-day, making Bellinzona easy to pair with a Lugano morning (get the early train, spend the morning in Lugano, then backtrack to Bellinzona for the afternoon).
Check Swiss train connections on Trainline →
Lake Maggiore and Isola Bella
Lake Maggiore sits about 1 hour 15 minutes from Como by train and ferry. The highlight is Isola Bella, one of the three Borromean Islands, home to a 17th-century Baroque palace and terraced gardens. Combined entry to the palace and gardens costs €22 per adult (Borromeo family, 2026).
How to Get There
Take the train from Como or Varenna toward Milan, then connect to Stresa on Lake Maggiore. From Stresa, boats to Isola Bella run every 30 minutes (€8 return). Journey total from Como: around 1h 15min to 1h 45min.
Cost Breakdown
- Train return (Como-Stresa): €15-22
- Boat to Isola Bella: €8 return
- Palace + gardens entry: €22
- Lunch: €15-22
Day total: approx. €60-75 per person
Book Isola Bella tours via GetYourGuide →
Villa Carlotta and the Tremezzina Gardens
Villa Carlotta is the easiest garden day trip from Lake Como. You don’t even need a train. The ferry from Como to Tremezzo takes around 45 minutes, and Villa Carlotta’s entry costs €17.50 for adults (Villa Carlotta official, 2026). The villa is open from March 21 to October 19.
Why Go in April and May
The rhododendron and azalea gardens peak in late April and early May. Over 500 species fill the hillside terraces, including specimens over 150 years old. It’s genuinely one of the most spectacular garden displays in northern Italy during those weeks.
The villa also holds a Canova sculpture collection (the Amor and Psyche and Terpsichore) and changing contemporary art exhibitions.
Cost Breakdown
- Ferry return (Como-Tremezzo): €10-15
- Villa Carlotta entry: €17.50
- Cafe on site: €8-12
Half-day total: approx. €35-45 per person
[INTERNAL-LINK: 4-day Lake Como itinerary → /4-day-lake-como-itinerary/]
The Bernina Express: Is It Worth It as a Day Trip?
The Bernina Express is the most ambitious day trip on this list. The UNESCO-listed railway runs from Tirano (accessible from Como by train in around 2 hours) through the Swiss Alps to St. Moritz, climbing over 2,000 meters through glaciers, viaducts, and mountain passes. Round-trip rail costs €60-80 from Tirano (itimaker, 2025).
Logistics
- From Como or Varenna, take the train to Tirano (about 2 hours via Sondrio)
- Board the Bernina Express at Tirano (panoramic cars, pre-booking strongly advised)
- Tirano to St. Moritz: 2 hours 30 minutes each way
- Total day: 10-11 hours minimum
This works as a day trip only if you’re based in Varenna or near Colico (northern end of the lake), leaving by 7 AM. For Como town, the logistics get tight.
Cost Breakdown
- Train Como to Tirano: €12-18 return
- Bernina Express (Tirano-St. Moritz return): €60-80
- Lunch in St. Moritz or Pontresina: CHF 25-45 (~€26-47)
Full day total: approx. €100-145 per person
Book Bernina Express via GetYourGuide →
Insider tip: Book panoramic car seats in advance. They sell out weeks ahead in June and July. The right-hand side of the train (facing Tirano) gives the best glacier views on the ascent.
Varenna: The Village Worth Slowing Down For
Varenna takes 15 minutes by hydrofoil from Bellagio and about 30-40 minutes by ferry. It’s less touristy than Bellagio and far quieter in the morning. The Castello di Vezio sits above the village (20-minute uphill walk, €5 entry) with views across the full width of the lake.
The harbor area around Riva Azzone Visconti is the most photographed spot: pastel buildings, lapping water, and easy access from the train station.
Lecco: The Understated Lake Town
Lecco is the practical antidote to Como’s tourist crowds. The train from Como San Giovanni takes around 45 minutes and costs €4-6 return. Most visitors skip it, but Lecco has a genuinely good waterfront, Alessandro Manzoni’s birthplace (€6 museum entry), and affordable trattorias that feel nothing like tourist traps.
It’s a good half-day option if you want lake views without the ferry queues.
[INTERNAL-LINK: where to stay in Lake Como → /lake-como-hotels/]
Practical Tips: Transport, Costs, and Timing
Best Time to Do Day Trips
- April-May: Villa Carlotta gardens peak, mild crowds, good weather for ferry crossings
- June-August: Busy on ferries and in Milan. Book trains in advance. Arrive early everywhere.
- September-October: Best overall balance of weather and crowds, especially for mountain day trips like the Bernina Express
Buying Train Tickets
Trenitalia (domestic Italy) and SBB (Switzerland) sell tickets separately. For cross-border trips into Switzerland, use Trainline or Omio to compare both legs in one search. Swiss trains rarely have discounts. Book early mainly for seat reservations on scenic routes.
Ferry Passes
Navigazione Lago di Como sells day passes covering unlimited ferry travel. At around €15-25 depending on zones, it makes sense if you’re doing the full Golden Triangle loop or multiple crossings in one day.
Getting Around in Switzerland
Card payments work everywhere in Switzerland. You’ll rarely need CHF cash except for small market stalls or the occasional rural snack bar. Most Swiss trains accept contactless payment directly at the platform screen.
[INTERNAL-LINK: best food in Lake Como → /best-food-in-lake-como/]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best day trip from Lake Como?
Milan is the best all-round day trip. The train takes 65 minutes from Varenna and costs from €7.40 each way (Trainline, 2026). You get the Duomo, Last Supper, world-class shopping, and excellent restaurants, all within easy reach of the station.
Can you do a day trip from Lake Como to Switzerland?
Yes. Lugano is just 34-40 minutes by train from Como San Giovanni, with 11 connections daily from €13 one way (Omio, 2025). Bring your passport, note that Switzerland uses CHF (not Euros), and allow extra time at the border if you’re non-EU.
How long does it take to get from Lake Como to Milan by train?
The journey from Varenna-Esino to Milano Centrale takes around 65 minutes. From Como San Giovanni, trains reach Milan in about 35-45 minutes. Both routes run frequent departures throughout the day, with the last trains returning after 10 PM.
Is a day trip to Venice from Lake Como possible?
It’s possible but very long. Venice is approximately 2h 30min to 3h by train from Milan, meaning you’d need 5-6 hours of travel time round trip. That leaves only 4-5 hours in Venice, enough to see the main sites but exhausting. An overnight stay in Venice is a much better option.
How many days should I spend at Lake Como?
Most visitors need 3-4 days to see the lake itself and fit in one or two day trips. Three days covers Como town, a ferry loop, and one major day trip (Milan or Lugano). Four days lets you add a second day trip and explore the quieter northern villages near Colico.
Is Lugano worth a day trip from Lake Como?
Yes, especially for non-Italians who want a taste of Swiss culture. Lugano has a more polished, relaxed feel than Como and offers the Monte San Salvatore cable car, a beautiful lakefront, and excellent Swiss food. Budget €80-110 per person for a full day including transport.
Can you visit Bergamo from Lake Como in one day?
Definitely. Bergamo is 1h 43min by train with one connection at Lecco, and costs around €8-14 return (Trainline, 2025). The funicular to Città Alta costs just €1.50. Plan to arrive by mid-morning and leave by 6 PM to avoid a rushed final stretch.
Is it possible to do the Bernina Express as a day trip?
Yes, but it requires an early start. You need to reach Tirano (about 2 hours from Como) and board the first Bernina Express around 9 AM. Total travel time for the round trip is roughly 10-11 hours, meaning you’ll be back by early evening. It’s worth it for the scenery, but book panoramic car seats weeks in advance.
Final Thoughts
Lake Como packs more day-trip potential than almost any other base in Italy. Milan is the obvious choice for first-timers. Lugano rewards those who want something different. The Bellagio-Varenna ferry loop is the essential lake experience. And the Bernina Express is one of the great European train journeys, if you can commit to the full day.
Start with our complete Lake Como travel guide if you’re still planning your overall trip, or check the 4-day Lake Como itinerary to see how to fit the best day trips into a week-long stay.
Check all train times and book tickets on Trainline →
[IMAGE: Lake Como train station with mountains in background – search terms: “Varenna Lake Como train station Alps”]