Yes, you can go from Milan to Lake Como and back in a day, by train alone. Direct regional trains reach Como San Giovanni in about 40 minutes from Milano Centrale, Como Lago in about an hour from Milano Cadorna, and Varenna, the ferry hub of the central lake, in about 64 minutes from Milano Centrale. A second-class single costs €5.40 to Como and €7.70 to Varenna under Trenord's fares in force since 1 September 2026, and the last direct trains back leave in the evening: 21:35 from Varenna, 22:16 from Como Lago and, on the S11 suburban line to Milano Porta Garibaldi, after 22:00 from Como San Giovanni.
Which station you choose decides the kind of day you will have. This guide compares the three routes, explains how the ferries between Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio work in the winter timetable, and lists the last trains back. Times and fares come from Trenord and Navigazione Laghi, the lake's public boat operator, checked on 1 November 2026.
Can you do Lake Como as a day trip from Milan?
Comfortably, as long as you pick one part of the lake. Lake Como is long and narrow, and the town of Como sits at its southern tip, while Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio face each other across the central lake, further north. Trying to see the town of Como and the three central villages in one day means spending most of it on boats.
So decide first what you want from the day. For the lakefront, the cathedral and the old town of Como, take the train to Como and stay there. For the postcard villages and a ride on the ferry, take the train to Varenna and hop across the central lake. Both work without a car, a tour or a hotel booking.
Which train: Como San Giovanni, Como Lago or Varenna?
All three routes are direct, with no changes, and are run by Trenord, the regional rail operator of Lombardy. The figures below are from Trenord's route pages, and the fares from Trenord's fare table in force since 1 September 2026, which prices a single journey by distance.
Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni
- Journey: about 40 minutes, direct, 47 km
- Trains: about 17 a day, roughly hourly
- Second-class single: €5.40
- Last direct train back: 20:36 to Milano Centrale; later S11 trains to Milano Porta Garibaldi
Milano Cadorna to Como Lago
- Journey: about 60 minutes, direct, 45-47 km
- Trains: regular departures, first train from Milan at 05:43
- Second-class single: €5.40 (41-50 km band)
- Last direct train back: 22:16 to Milano Cadorna
Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino
- Journey: about 64 minutes, direct, 72 km
- Trains: 16 a day, almost hourly
- Second-class single: €7.70 (71-80 km band)
- Last direct train back: 21:35 to Milano Centrale
Como San Giovanni is the fastest option from Milano Centrale and sits on the main line above the town, so you walk downhill to the old town and the lake. It is also served by the S11 suburban line, which runs between Como, Milano Porta Garibaldi and Rho. Como Lago, reached from Milano Cadorna, is the slower train but drops you at the lakefront end of town, which our Como City Guide recommends as the most useful arrival for the waterfront. Varenna-Esino is on the line from Milano Centrale to Lecco and Tirano, and Trenord puts the ferry pier about an eight-minute walk from the station. Trenord also notes that Varenna-Esino has short platforms, so avoid the last carriages when you board and get off.
Buy tickets on the Trenord website or app, at ticket machines and counters, or at authorised resellers. A return is simply two singles, and reduced fares exist for children, over-65s and families.
How much do train and ferry tickets cost?
For one adult, the train is the predictable part: €10.80 for a return to Como and €15.40 for a return to Varenna in second class, at the fares in force since 1 September 2026. First class costs €8.20 each way to Como and €11.50 to Varenna.
Ferry fares depend on the distance between the two piers. Navigazione Laghi groups its Lake Como routes into fare bands and sells single tickets, returns, which cost twice the single fare, and one-day and six-day tickets for unlimited travel between the piers printed on the ticket, including the stops in between. A few rules apply whatever the route:
- Children under 4 travel free with an adult, without a seat; children aged 4 to 11 pay a reduced fare.
- Fast boats, marked SR in the timetable, cost the ordinary fare plus a supplement.
- Buying on board costs €1 extra per passenger when the pier you left from has an open ticket office, so buy before you board.
- Tickets are valid on the day of issue, unless the ticket says otherwise.
The exact price for your two piers is shown in the fare search on the Navigazione Laghi website, and at the ticket offices on the piers.
Which route covers Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio in one day?
The classic day is a triangle. Take a morning train from Milano Centrale to Varenna, walk down to the pier, and use the ferries that shuttle between Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio and Cadenabbia. The winter timetable, valid from 2 November 2026 to 14 March 2027, runs these crossings from the early morning into the evening, with departures roughly every 30 to 60 minutes during the day at uneven intervals, and a separate Sunday and holiday timetable. Most crossings take 10 to 15 minutes; some runs to or from Menaggio take about 30.
A relaxed plan looks like this:
- Morning in Varenna. Arrive on an early train and walk the lakeside path and the old lanes of the village.
- Late morning and lunch in Bellagio. Cross to the promontory where the lake splits into its two southern arms.
- Afternoon in Menaggio. Take the ferry across to the western shore for a slower walk on the waterfront.
- Back to Varenna and the train. Check the time of the last crossing to Varenna as soon as you land in Menaggio, then aim for a train with at least one later option in reserve.
Three villages is a full day. If you prefer to sit down for a long lunch or visit a villa garden, choose two and skip the third.
What about Como town and the boats from Como?
Como itself is a good day out on its own: the cathedral, the walled old town, the lakefront promenade and the silk history told in our piece on Como and its silk. Passenger boats from Como's pier also serve the central lake in winter, calling at Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio on some runs, and the faster SR boats need the supplement. From Como, though, Bellagio is a long way up the lake, so combining Como town and the central villages makes for a rushed day. If the villages are the point of the trip, Varenna is the better gateway.
Is it better to go by train, car or organised tour?
For most visitors from Milan, the train. It is direct, cheap, runs all day and puts you within walking distance of the boats. A car makes sense only if you plan to stop in places away from the railway, and it brings its own logistics: the central-lake car ferry, for example, costs €10.10 per crossing for a car up to 3.50 metres with its driver, under Navigazione Laghi's vehicle fares in force since 1 April 2026.
An organised tour is the simplest choice if you want everything handled, but you give up the freedom to linger. The train and ferry route above covers the same villages at your own pace.
What time is the last train back to Milan?
According to Trenord's route pages, the last direct trains in the regular timetable are:
- Varenna-Esino to Milano Centrale: 21:35 (first train 05:35).
- Como Lago to Milano Cadorna: 22:16 (first train 05:46).
- Como San Giovanni to Milano Centrale: 20:36 (first train 05:19). After that, S11 suburban trains still run from Como San Giovanni to Milano Porta Garibaldi: Trenord lists the last S11 leaving Chiasso, the stop before Como, at 22:13.
Timetables can change for engineering works, strikes or holidays, so check your train in the Trenord app on the day. Ferries also have their own exceptions: in the 2026-27 winter timetable the fast SR boats do not run on 24, 26 and 31 December, and there is a reduced service on 25 December and 1 January.
Where to stay if one day is not enough
If the day trip turns into a wish to wake up by the water, Como is the easiest base, with trains to Milan and boats up the lake. Our list of top hotels in Como shows each hotel by area. And if you are still planning the Milan part of the trip, see the Milan City Guide and our Milan weekend itinerary.
FAQ
How long is the train from Milan to Lake Como?
About 40 minutes from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni, about 60 minutes from Milano Cadorna to Como Lago, and about 64 minutes from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino. All three are direct.
How much is the train from Milan to Lake Como?
Under Trenord's fares in force since 1 September 2026, a second-class single costs €5.40 to Como and €7.70 to Varenna. A return costs twice the single.
Which is better for a day trip, Como or Varenna?
Como for the town, the cathedral and the lakefront. Varenna if you want to visit Bellagio and Menaggio by ferry, because it is the closest station to the central lake.
Do Lake Como ferries run in winter?
Yes. The winter timetable runs from 2 November 2026 to 14 March 2027, with ferries between Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio and Cadenabbia throughout the day and a separate Sunday and holiday timetable.
What time is the last train from Varenna to Milan?
The last direct train in Trenord's regular timetable leaves Varenna-Esino for Milano Centrale at 21:35. Check the Trenord app on the day for changes.
Sources (checked on 1 November 2026): Trenord: Milano Centrale - Varenna Esino, Trenord: Varenna Esino - Milano Centrale, Trenord: Milano Centrale - Como S. Giovanni, Trenord: Como S. Giovanni - Milano Centrale, Trenord: Milano Cadorna - Como Lago, Trenord: Como Lago - Milano Cadorna, Trenord: S11 Chiasso - Como - Milano - Rho, Trenord: Tirano - Sondrio - Lecco - Milano line, Trenord fare table from 1 September 2026 (PDF), Navigazione Laghi: Lake Como tickets and timetables, Navigazione Laghi: winter timetable 2026-27 (PDF), Navigazione Laghi: passenger fares from 1 April 2026 (PDF) and Navigazione Laghi: vehicle ferry fares from 1 April 2026 (PDF).
Photo credits: cover by Karl Moran and Varenna ferry pier by Ajrina Baradja, both via Unsplash.
