Lake Como from Griante, on the western shore. Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Best Milan to Lake Como transfer: comparing train, taxi and private car service, with real prices, travel times and honest recommendations for Como, Bellagio and Varenna.
Published 8 July 2026 · Last updated 8 July 2026 · 5 min read
By Dorin G. · NexDriver
Official source: In Lombardia, official Lombardy regional tourism board
Lake Como from Griante, on the western shore. Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Heading to Lake Como and wondering how to get there from Milan? You have three main options: the train, a taxi, or a private car service. Each suits a different kind of trip; here's an honest comparison to help you choose.
| Option | Journey Time | Reaches | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | ~1 hour | Como city only | Solo travellers, light luggage |
| Taxi | ~45 min | Anywhere | Short notice, 1–2 people |
| Private driver (NexDriver) | ~45 min (Como) / ~90 min (Bellagio) | Anywhere on the lake | Families, groups, Bellagio/Varenna |
Journey times from Milan city centre. Private car fares are per vehicle, not per person.
Trenord runs direct trains from Milano Centrale and Cadorna to Como in around an hour, at standard regional-train fares: the most budget-friendly option if you're staying in Como itself.
Best if:
Downsides:
A taxi can be booked at short notice with no advance planning. For a roughly 50 km intercity trip, though, a metered fare becomes expensive and unpredictable, and not every taxi will take a fare that long without agreeing a price upfront.
Best if:
Downsides:
A pre-booked private car service is the most comfortable option for reaching anywhere on the lake, not just Como city. With NexDriver, fares start from € 155 all-inclusive to Como or Cernobbio, and € 185 to Bellagio or Varenna, fixed, agreed before departure, no meter.
Flying in? We also offer a direct transfer from Malpensa Airport straight to Como or Bellagio, skipping Milan entirely.
See our full Milan–Lake Como transfer page for detailed rates by destination.
Staying in Como city, travelling light
→ Train: fastest and cheapest for this specific case
Bellagio, Varenna, or other lakeside towns
→ Private driver (best choice): the train doesn't reach these directly
Family or group with luggage
→ Private driver: one fixed price for everyone, door-to-door
Arriving from Malpensa Airport
→ Private driver (best choice): direct transfer, no need to pass through Milan
The train is the cheapest option for a solo traveller: Trenord runs direct services from Milano Centrale/Cadorna to Como (around an hour), at standard regional-train fares. It only reaches Como city itself, though; Bellagio, Varenna and other lakeside towns require a further bus or ferry connection.
A private car from Milan city centre to Como or Cernobbio starts from € 155, all-inclusive: driver, fuel, motorway tolls, and VAT. To Bellagio or Varenna the fare starts from € 185. The price is fixed and agreed before departure, no meter.
From Milan city centre to Como it takes approximately 45 minutes via the A9 motorway. To Bellagio or Varenna, add another 40–50 minutes of scenic lakeside road.
For a roughly 50 km intercity trip, a metered taxi becomes expensive and unpredictable, and not every taxi will take a fare that long without agreeing a price upfront. A private driver offers the same door-to-door convenience with a fixed price agreed in advance.
Yes. NexDriver offers a direct transfer from Malpensa (MXP) straight to Como or Bellagio, bypassing Milan entirely, useful if you're flying in and heading straight to the lake.
A private driver is the more practical choice for families or groups: one vehicle for everyone and the luggage, child seats available on request, and no changing trains or buses partway through the journey.