Table of Contents
Did you know one of the most picturesque lakes in the world, Lake Como, is less than an hour away from Milan, Italy? Next time you’re in Milan for a few days, you must take a day trip to Lake Como (unless you can afford to spend a few nights staying here… lucky you!). Lake Como also happens to be only 45 minutes from another nearby lake called Lake Lugano, which is actually located in Switzerland! Meaning, you can cross the border and visit two countries in one day from Milan. This guide is going to cover everything you need to know about a Lake Como day trip from Milan, including visits to Como, Bellagio, and Lugano.
Don’t have time to read the full guide? This full-day tour to Lake Como with a stop in Lugano, Switzerland from Milan is top-rated & is the tour I personally booked to visit all the below sights. It’s PERFECT for just one day in Lake Como!
Lake Como Day Trip From Milan: At A Glance
- Duration: Full day (10-11 hours)
- Starting point: Milan, Italy
- Destinations: Como, Bellagio, & Lugano, Switzerland
- Transportation options: Guided group tour, train, or car
- Best for: Travelers who want to see a lot in one day
Can You Visit Lake Como & Lugano In One Day?
Yes! I have taken many day trips around Europe and have written several guides for fast-paced travelers, including:
- Day trip to Luxembourg from Bruges, Belgium
- Day trip to Cardiff, Wales from London, England
- Day trip to the Cotswolds from London, England
- Day trip to Florence from Rome, Italy
- Day trip to Monaco from Nice, France
You can combine Lake Como and Lugano in one long day, particularly if you book a guided tour that handles the transportation. If you’re short on time, I highly recommend doing this as a tour rather than trying to coordinate everything yourself.
The tour I took with GetYourGuide is around 10 hours and includes transportation from Milan, time in Bellagio, and approximately 1.5 hours in Lugano. You’ll get to see Lake Como and Bellagio in the morning, then cross the border into Switzerland for a few hours in the afternoon without having to worry about navigating multiple trains, buses, or parking.
Your Lake Como & Lugano Day Trip Itinerary
Early Morning: Depart Milan
Whether you’re taking the train or joining a group tour, you’ll probably depart Milan around 8am from the Milano Centrale station in the center of the city. Many tours meet in the square out front (by the massive apple statue), and you’ll board a comfortable air-conditioned coach bus and drive around 1-1.5 hours to Lake Como.
Como is located just ~45 minutes from the city, as it sits on the southern portion of the lake. In our case, we began our day in the Tremezzo area, which is towards the middle so it was a bit longer of a drive. The drive from Milan is incredibly scenic, especially as you approach the lakes and get your first glimpse of the Italian Alps.
Morning: Lake Como Boat Ride
If you arrive in Tremezzo, it’s common to take a scenic boat ride around the lake and over to Bellagio. One of your first photo-ops will be the cruise past the famous Grand Hotel Tremezzo. The scenic cruise around the lake was one of my highlights during my Lake Como day trip from Milan. The mansions and villas located here (including George Clooney’s!) are unlike anything I’ve seen before. Plus, the contrast of the greenery (I was surprised to see palm trees), colorful luxury hotels, mountains, and clear blue lake make for incredible photos and scenery!
Late Morning / Lunch: Explore Bellagio
Bellagio was my favorite town we visited during our day trip to Lake Como from Milan. It’s also the most touristy, so expect crowds (particularly during peak May – September tourist season), but the village is so charming!
It’s also very small. There is one main road that lines the lake with waterfront cafes and restaurants, a famous main staircase that leads to the upper town, and then another main shopping road higher up. There’s also a small city square here with a fountain.
During the 1-2 hours I recommend spending here, be sure to stroll the colorful streets, poke in some shops (check out all the silk scarfs and leather wallets… those are the two main souvenirs we bought here), and eat lunch in a cafe in the city square. It’s also worth waiting for a photo at the top of the iconic stairs.
Early Afternoon: Visit Como
Como is the next town we visited during our day trip to Lake Como from Milan. It’s the central hub of the lake, and is the largest town. This is where many local Milanese people have a vacation house, as it’s the closest town to the city.
This part of the lake isn’t swimmable and I personally didn’t think the town was as charming, but it’s still worth visiting to grab a gelato, see the large city square, shop the historic streets & lakefront, and see the beautiful church.
Start in the heart of Como at Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll find the city’s impressive cathedral, the Duomo di Como, alongside the historic Palazzo Broletto. Construction on the cathedral began in 1396 and continued for several centuries, resulting in a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The inside is stunning!
You don’t need more than 1 hour here.
Late Afternoon: Cross The Swiss Border
After spending the morning around Lake Como, head north 1 hour into Lugano, Switzerland, located in the Italian-speaking area of Ticino. The change in scenery is one of my favorite parts of the day — you’re still surrounded by mountains and a beautiful lake, but suddenly you’re in Switzerland, with giant red plus signs on all the flags!
On the group tour I took, I had roughly 2 hours of free time in Lugano to explore independently. I recommend booking a tour that also stops in Lugano so you can experience visiting two countries in one day! Although this would be another lovely place to spend a few nights and soak up time in the lake, here’s what I would do in Lugano with just a few hours:
- Walk along Lake Lugano / through the promenade
- Explore the historic city center and shop
- Wander through Parco Ciani
- Rent a paddle boat to get onto the water
- Ride the funicular — Monte San Salvatore departs from Lugano-Paradiso and takes about 12 minutes to reach the summit, with panoramic views over Lake Lugano and the surrounding Alps. It runs roughly every 30 minutes during its operating season.
- Stop for Swiss chocolate at Vanini — a Lugano-based chocolatier with roots dating back to 1871, located right in the city center. Good option if you want something that feels more local, plus they serve chocolate drinks and gelato.
Pro-tip: I recommend booking this day tour on a Friday or Saturday! We visited on a Sunday because its the only day that worked for us and many of the shops and restaurants in Lugano were closed.
From Lugano, it is about a 1.5 hour bus ride back to Milano Centrale station. You’ll arrive back in the city just in time for dinner!
How To Get To Lake Como From Milan
Option 1: Take A Day Tour (Easiest!)
For a first-time visit, I recommend a guided day tour, especially if you want to see more than just Como. I took a tour that combined Lake Como, Bellagio, and Lugano, Switzerland, with transportation from Milan included. It made it easy to see multiple destinations in one day without worrying about trains, parking, or planning connections.
This is the Lake Como, Bellagio & Lugano tour I took.
Option 2: Take The Train
For a DIY trip, the train is an affordable and convenient option. Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni takes about 40 minutes. From Como, you’ll need additional transportation to reach towns. If Bellagio is on your itinerary, you’ll need to continue by bus, boat, or private transfer after arriving in Como. Another reason why I recommend a tour!
You can also take a direct train from Milano Centrale to Lugano in about 75 minutes.
Option 3: Drive
Driving takes roughly an hour from Milan to Como, depending on traffic. While a car gives you more flexibility, parking can be difficult in popular lakeside towns, so I wouldn’t recommend renting one for a typical day trip.
What to Know Before Your Lake Como Day Trip From Milan
Bring Your Passport
If you’re adding Lugano, Switzerland to your itinerary, don’t forget your passport (NOT a copy!). You’ll be crossing an international border, and the tour requires a valid passport or eligible Schengen ID card.
Pro-tip: Aside from needing a passport to visit Switzerland, you should also know the currency changes from Italy to Switzerland. Italy uses the Euro (€), while Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF). The good news is that credit and debit cards are widely accepted, so you don’t necessarily need to exchange cash just for a few hours in Lugano. If you do want some Swiss francs, ATMs are easy to find.
Be Prepared For A Full Day
This is a busy, on-the-go day trip, especially if you’re visiting Lake Como and Lugano in the same day. You’ll have plenty of time to explore, but don’t expect a slow-paced or relaxing itinerary. The day is about 10-12 hours.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You’ll be doing plenty of walking through Como, Bellagio, and Lugano, so comfortable walking shoes are a must.
Pack A Change Of Clothes
If you’re visiting during warmer months and want to swim in Lake Como, pack a bathing suit and a change of clothes. Even if you don’t plan on swimming, bringing an extra outfit can be helpful after a long day of exploring in the heat.
That brings us to the end of this complete guide covering everything you need to know about a day trip to Lake Como from Milan! I hope you enjoy this day trip and all that the lake has to offer. This day ended up being my favorite from my recent trip to Italy! If you want to keep reading about Switzerland, check out my Interlaken guide.
Like this post? Pin it to save it for later and share with others!
