Lake Como Day Trip from Milan: Bellagio & Varenna with Boat

Train to Lake Como's Three Villages in One Day, Boat Included

You travel by reserved first-class train from Milan to Como, then board a pre-booked boat cruise with skip-the-line ferry access through Lake Como's most famous villas and villages. Your guide handles the route and timing while you see Bellagio and Varenna, enjoy a suggested lunch with lake views, and return to Milan by evening. The small group size, capped at 14, means no crowds at the ferry or on the boat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Gallerie d’Italia Milan40m
2. Villa del Balbianellopass by

Lake Como tour from Milan

• Meet guide in Milan
• Express train to Como City
• Walk in Como City and visit Duomo
• Start panoramic boat cruise on Lake Como
• Admire Villa Olmo and Villa D'Este
• Pass by Cernobbio and Villa D'Este park
• See George Clooney's Villa Oleandra
• View Torno village and Villa Pliniana
• Pass Villa Erba film location
• Pass Villa Carlotta and botanical garden
• Pass Villa del Balbianello film location
• Arrive in Bellagio, explore village
• Lunch at lake-view restaurant in Bellagio
• Ferry ride from Bellagio to Varenna
• Guided tour and free time in Varenna
• Express train back to Milan

The Experience

You step off the express train in Como and your guide is already waiting. The whole day moves like that: no standing in ticket lines, no wondering what comes next. The train ride itself is first class, and by the time you reach the lake, you've already crossed the Lombardy plains and can see the Alps rising behind the water. Como's Duomo sits right there, the last Gothic cathedral built in Italy, and you walk through the old streets with your guide before boarding the boat that's already reserved in your name.

The boat cruise is where the day opens up. You glide past Villa Olmo with its 18th-century gardens, then Villa d'Este. The one that was in an Alfred Hitchcock film and later became the world's best hotel according to Forbes in 2009. George Clooney's place slides by on the shoreline. Your guide points out where James Bond Casino Royale was filmed at Villa del Balbianello, and you realize you've seen half these locations in movies without knowing it. The boat doesn't stop at every villa. It moves you through the "golden triangle" section of the lake, the part that matters, and you're not jostling with tour groups because the group maxes out at 14 people. Guaranteed seats mean you're not standing or scrambling for a spot on deck.

Bellagio arrives around midday. Your guide suggests a lakeside restaurant (they've already arranged it), and you eat looking out at the water while the afternoon light hits the hills. After lunch, a quick ferry takes you to Varenna, the smaller village across the lake. You get a guided walk through the narrow streets, then free time to wander into Villa Monastero or climb up to the Gates of Heaven viewpoint if you want. Some people just sit by the water. The train back to Milan leaves in the late afternoon, first class again, and you're back at Milan's Central Station by early evening. The whole thing (train tickets, ferry, boat, skip-the-line access) is already paid for.

Winter tours start an hour earlier (7:55 AM at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II), summer tours an hour later (8:45 AM). The schedule can shift for train strikes or weather, but the tour runs rain or shine. If you want to stay longer in Varenna, you can. Just tell the guide before 1 PM and they'll give you a ticket for a later train back. Bring an ID (passport or driver's license, original copy) because the train company checks.

Options for this experience

3 options

Up to 13 people · Guide in English08:15 and 09:10

Guide in English07:45 and 08:40

Up to 6 people · Guide in English08:45

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup (meet your guide at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II or Milan Central Station), first-class express train to Como, a guided walk through Como's old town and the Duomo, a full boat cruise along Lake Como with reserved skip-the-line access, a ferry ride to Bellagio, lunch at a guide-recommended lakeside restaurant, a guided tour and free time in Varenna, and a first-class train back to Milan. All train, ferry, and boat tickets are included in the price.

Days and timesDaily · 5 departure times, from 07:45 to 09:10

AgesAges 18+ · 4 to 17 years · Under 4

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends elsewhere

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Memento Italy In Style

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Lake Como's main three villages and the boat cruise without arranging trains, ferries, or tickets yourself: the small group size and reserved seating are what make the whole day flow without queues or crowding.

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Top questions

Can children come?

4 to 17 years; under 4.

How long is the tour?

Approximately 10 hours total, including all train and ferry travel. The tour ends at Milan's Central Station.

What time does the tour start?

Summer (April–October): 8:45 AM at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II or 9:15 AM at Central Station. Winter (November–mid-March): 7:55 AM or 8:15 AM respectively.

Is lunch included?

No, but your guide will suggest lakeside restaurants in Bellagio. You have time to eat there during the tour.

What's included in the price?

First-class train tickets, boat cruise with guaranteed seats, ferry tickets, skip-the-line access to the boat, and a professional English-speaking guide. Subway tickets are also included.

Can I visit Villa Monastero or the Gates of Heaven?

Yes, during your free time in Varenna. You buy tickets directly at the villa. They're not included in the tour price.

What's the group size?

Maximum 14 people per tour.

Can I stay longer in Varenna?

Yes. Tell your guide before 1 PM on the day of the tour, and they'll provide a ticket for a later train back to Milan.

What do I need to bring?

An original ID: passport, driver's license, or ID card. The train company checks this. A photo copy is not accepted.

Is the tour cancelled in bad weather?

No, the tour runs rain or shine.

Can I cancel?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. After that, no refunds or changes are allowed. Cancellations must be made through your account, not by phone or text.