What is the most cost-efficient way to get from Venice to Lake Como?
Let’s take a look at the best options!
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
🚆 Train: Traveling by train from Venice to Lake Como via Milan is the BEST cost-efficient and scenic journey.
🚗 Car: If you rent a car, you can choose your own route. Without stops, this will take around 4 hours.
🚌 Bus: The bus is the most budget-friendly option, with tickets costing between €10 and €15 per person.
✈️ Flight: Flying from Venice to the nearby Aeroporto di Lugano near Como is the fastest option, with a flight time of 30 minutes (excluding check in time).
Journey from Venice to Lake Como
Options for Transportation
You have four options when journeying from Venice to Lake Como: train, car, bus, or flight.
Option 1: Train from Venice to Lake Como
The train is our most popular and efficient way to travel between these cities.
However, remember there is NO DIRECT TRAIN between Venice and Lake Como. Instead, you must go from Venice to Milan and then to Varenna (on Lake Como).
When booked via Omio, you can find cheap train tickets starting at $28 (€27). The trains offer free WiFi, wide seats, and food carriage on every train.
The stations you need to fill in are the following:
- Venice: Venezia Santa Lucia
- Lake Como: Varenna-Esino
The trains from Venice (Venezia Santa Lucia station) to Varenna (Varenna-Esino) on Lake Como with ONE TRANSFER in Milan take 5 hours and cost between $32 (€30) and $54 (€50) per person.
No night trains are available.
Booking Como train tickets is straightforward; you can compare prices and options for the best deal with our widget below.
The first train departs early in the morning, and the last train leaves in the evening.
High-speed train options like Frecciarossa and Italo provide a comfortable and fast journey.
Various train companies release tickets in advance (the cheapest tickets come online between 3 and 6 months before the date) and offer special deals, so comparing their amenities, ticket prices, and options is worth comparing.
Train services in Europe can fluctuate in price during peak hours, so consider off-peak travel for better deals. We recommend booking train tickets beforehand to secure the best prices. Find the best train ticket prices here.
The train stations are easy to understand. When you board the train, you only have to sit down and enjoy Italy’s countryside while being dragged to your destination by the high-speed trains.
Option 2: Car from Venice to Lake Como
Renting a car is another option if you are on a road trip in Italy and prefer the freedom and flexibility of driving.
The car ride from Venice to Lake Como takes 4 hours and offers the opportunity to explore the beautiful Italian countryside.
An advantage here is that you can directly go to your destination in Lake Como and do not have to pass by Varenna.
Keep in mind, if you’re from outside Europe, you’ll need an eSIM to use Waze or Google Maps during your car trip. We recommend the unlimited eSIM from Holafly to have a hassle-free vacation.
Car rental prices vary, but you can expect to pay around €40–€60 per day, excluding fuel and tolls. You can use our widget below with DiscoverCars to see the cheapest tickets!
Option 3: Bus from Venice to Lake Como
Bus services are also available from Venice to Lake Como, with a journey time of around 4 hours and €10–€15 per person.
However, remember that these buses do not run as frequently as trains. You can use our banner below to learn more about bus schedules and tickets.
Option 4: Plane
If you are looking for a quicker option, there are daily flights from Milan to Como’s nearby airport, Aeroporto di Lugano.
The flight takes only 30 minutes, and tickets can be purchased for around €100–€150 round trip.
You can take a bus or taxi from the airport to reach your train’s final destination in Como. However, remember that traveling to and from the airport, including the security checks, also takes time.
Use our widget below to discover the lowest prices to travel from Venice to Lake Como!
Conclusion
There you have it, the four different options to travel from Venice to Lake Como!
Please get in touch with us if you have questions about getting from Venice to Lake Como.
FAQ
Where can you buy your train ticket from Venice to Lake Como?
You can buy your train ticket from Venice to Lake Como via Omio; you can find cheap train tickets starting at $28. Trenitalia trains offer free WiFi, wide seats, and a food carriage on every train.
Is there a direct train from Venice to Como San Giovanni?
Yes, there are typically around 33 trains operating daily on the route from Venice to Como San Giovanni. You can secure tickets for this journey at an affordable starting price of $23.09 when making bookings.
What’s the fastest journey time between Venice and Como San Giovanni by train?
The high-speed trains from Venice to Como offer a scenic journey of 3 hours and 7 minutes. Covering a distance of about 256 kilometers, you can enjoy the views of the Italian countryside along the route. If you plan your travel on weekdays, the earliest train departing from Venice is typically scheduled for around 05:04 in the morning. At the same time, the final departure usually takes place around 8:00 p.m., providing travelers with a convenient range of options throughout the day.
What time does the first train from Venice to Como San Giovanni leave?
The earliest train departing from Venice to Como San Giovanni is scheduled for around 05:04 in the morning.
How long is the high-speed train from Lake Como to Venice?
The fastest rail service from Como to Venice takes three hours and 15 minutes and covers about 256 kilometers. It can be scheduled on weekdays as early as 5:19. Generally, this departure occurs at about 19:36.
Is Lake Como closer to Milan or Venice?
Lake Como is closer to Milan, as it takes approximately one hour to travel by train from Milan to Como compared to three hours and 15 minutes from Venice. However, both cities offer easy access to the beautiful Lake Como region.
What is the easiest way to get to Lake Como?
The easiest way to reach Lake Como is by train; trains can be taken from Milan (Centrale) and Nord Cadorna (Centrale).
How many days do you need in Lake Como?
We recommend spending at least two to three days at Lake Como to experience its beauty and charm fully. This will give you enough time to explore the different towns around the lake, take a boat tour, and visit popular attractions such as Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta.
Is Lake Como, Italy, worth visiting?
Lake Como is a must-see for any mountain lover. The Bergamo Alps surround the lake. This mountain is covered in green and white during the summer, offering breathtaking scenery throughout the season
3 Responses
Conviene más hospedarse en Milán o en Cómo si tengo solo dos días?
Hi, if you only have two days, then we recommend staying in Milan. You would need at least 4-5 days in Lake Como to visit the different cities, as it’s not a region you want to rush.