Most people arriving at Lake Como are coming from Milan or one of its airports. So the information provided here focuses on this.
Google Maps is exceptional for not only getting directions but also for getting train and bus times. I highly suggest downloading it, and if you don’t have a data plan in Italy also download the map & your destinations before coming. The information below can help to arrive from other directions once lakeside.
For those of you booked with Casa Stacy, you will receive a detailed map to the location so you can meet your host there.
Trains
I think this is the best way to move around Italy — you can rent a car in Varenna for a day to explore — there is plenty to do without one AND you’ll be saving time and money in parking, gas, and rental, you can even use a taxi or rent a boat instead!
A direct train departs frequently from Milan Centrale every day. The Trenitalia site is great but even better is to download the Trenitalia APP and set up your payment information before you go (#b4ugo) so you can book tickets on the fly…. remember the train station is Varenna-Esino [See below for how to arrive from airports to Milan Centrale.]
Taxi
Taxi to & from Varenna: | <4people | >4people |
Varenna-Esino Train Station | € 10 | € 10 |
Malpensa Airport | € 160 | € 220 |
Linate Airport | € 150 | € 200 |
Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport | € 130 | € 180 |
Milan train station or city center | € 150 | € 200 |
Como | € 100 | € 135 |
Lecco | € 50 | € 75 |
Pick-up service from the Varenna train station or airport can be arranged on request, click here to the Taxi page booking details. Rates are paid directly to the taxi driver. Prices are for a sedan (max 4 persons) or van (max 8 persons)
Airports
Lake Como has four Major airports less than one hour away. Lugano Airport is very expensive so our information will concentrate on Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, and Bergamo.
Airports to Milan Central Train Station
Malpensa Airport to Milano Central Station
You can either take a direct train “Malpensa Express” ( Trenitalia.it or download the app) to the Milan Central Station, or any of the shuttle buses heading to Milano Centrale train station, shuttle buses and trains run every 20 minutes or such. Please note that while the buses cost less, the travel time is longer and there are always risks of getting rush hour traffic in the mornings and evenings.
Linate Airport to Milano Central Station
You can either take a taxi, or a shuttle bus to the Milan Central Station. Both are outside baggage claim. Please be sure to cue at official Taxi line, as those offering rides are not official. Shuttle buses run every 20 minutes.
Bergamo Orio Airport to Varenna
You can either take a train to Varenna from Bergamo station (there are taxis or a public bus that goes to Bergamo train station outside the terminal) or take a shuttle bus to the Milan Central Station, shuttle buses run every 20 minutes. Please note that the travel time for buses is longer and there are always risks of getting rush hour traffic in the mornings and evenings.
From Bergamo station buy a ticket to Varenna-Esino, (Download the App) you will be required to change trains in Lecco. The Bergamo train usually arrives at the same track that the train to Varenna will depart from, make sure the other train on the track is indeed going to Tirano or Sondrio.
Driving
If you really prefer a car, Google or Apple Maps are awesome! Just insert Varenna or Dorio into the app and follow the path. For those of you who like extra indication for navigation, and a suggestion for a great stop for Gelato on the way, see below.
from the South (Milan & Bergamo)
Follow the directions to LECCO ( not Como) (S.S.36) and once close Lecco follow the indication to Sondrio (S.S.36). S.S. 36 is a 4 lane motorway and is busiest during rush hour (7-9 am & 4-7 pm).
After you pass Lecco and go through a long tunnel, the first exit (to the right) will be Abbadia Lariana, take this exit and then drive for about 15 Km. Don’t worry if you miss the exit — the next one is Bellano and you can see instructions below under “Oops I missed the exit”.
You will now be on the lakeside road — curvy and crazy. In the town of Olcio is what I consider to be some of the best Gelato in Italy.
Back on the road, you will pass through Lierna and then Fiumelatte. Just after you will see a fork in the road which is a tunnel to the right and a lakeside road to the left. The lakeside road will take you to the center of Varenna. Note that this road has the only free parking — grab a spot if it looks packed — if not, continue 500 meters where there is a parking garage on your right. If you can easily carry your bags park.
If not, please drive past the garage and at the church turn left into the piazza where you can unload your bags and leave a person there with your bags before you park.
Oops, I missed the exit (or I’m arriving from the North!)
Do not worry if you miss the exit after lecco there is a second exit at Bellano (about 20km). Once you exit follows the signs to Bellano. You will take many switchbacks until you pass the train tracks and the road offers only a right or left turn. Take the left-hand turn and follow the lake until you come to a fork in the road with two tunnels. Take the tunnel to your right (lakeside). Continue on until you arrive in the piazza of Varenna (about 1km) to unload.
Parking
The cost is 20 euros a night for in and out access at the Garage in front of Villa Monastero, please note that spots outlined in white are free parking. Blue parking is either meter paid or limited time. The majority of white parking spots are located on SP72 on map. Please note that Parking Tickets are expensive.