Milan to Como Train: a practical day-trip plan

For the direct Trenord service to Como S. Giovanni, start at Milano Centrale; check how to get around Milan from Porta Venezia if you need help planning the local leg.

Allow time to get to Milano Centrale before your train; the route itself takes about 40 minutes once aboard.

The direct train from Milano Centrale arrives at Como S. Giovanni without a change. Trenord lists the route as 47 km and says trains run almost every hour, with about 17 departures per day.

Second-class fares start at €5.40. Discounted fares are available for children, people over 65 and families. You can buy tickets online, in the Trenord app, at automatic or staffed ticket offices, or from authorized retailers.

Trenord also publishes information for the Milano–Como–Chiasso railway and the Chiasso–Como–Milano S. Garibaldi S11 line. For this plan, keep the station names straight: the direct service covered here departs Milano Centrale and arrives at Como S. Giovanni.

Como’s historic centre is a natural part of a day trip after arriving at Como S. Giovanni. The Cathedral and nearby streets give you a place to focus your time before continuing toward the lakefront.

If you are splitting your Milan stay between a day trip and time in the city, this one-day Milan itinerary from Porta Venezia covers a separate way to plan your time. Keep the Como visit focused on the centre and waterfront rather than trying to fit both itineraries into the same day.

A boat ride can extend a Como day trip beyond the town. Navigazione Laghi publishes Como–Colico–Como ship and fast-service timetables, along with ferry information for the Bellagio–Cadenabbia–Varenna–Menaggio crossing. These are different services, so check the route and sailing times that suit your plans.

Arrive at the ticket office about 20 minutes before departure. Queues may form during summer and holidays. Ticket offices in the main lake towns are near the docks; where a port has no land ticket office, you can buy a ticket aboard at no extra cost. Disabled passengers can also buy tickets aboard without an extra charge.

More than one vessel may be at a dock, so follow staff instructions when boarding. Bad weather or strong wave motion can suspend lake services.

Before setting out, check the official site: use Trenord’s journey planner for your travel date and Navigazione Laghi for boat timetables and service information. Navigazione Laghi also gives the Italy-only number 800-551801 for service checks.

Plan your return around the train times available on your travel date, especially if you add a boat journey. Trenord lists the first Milano Centrale departure at 06:43 and the last at 21:43, but advises checking its journey planner for the date you intend to travel.

Keep some flexibility if you are combining rail and boat transport: Navigazione Laghi warns that lake services may be suspended in bad weather or strong wave motion. Check both legs before committing to a return plan, and leave time to get from the waterfront back to Como S. Giovanni.

How long is the train from Milan to Como?

The direct Trenord service from Milano Centrale to Como S. Giovanni takes about 40 minutes.

How much does the train to Como cost?

Second-class tickets start at €5.40. Discounted fares are available for children, people over 65 and families.

Can you take a boat from Como?

Yes. Navigazione Laghi publishes ship and fast-service timetables for Como–Colico–Como, as well as ferry timetables for the Bellagio–Cadenabbia–Varenna–Menaggio crossing.

Where does the direct train arrive in Como?

The direct service from Milano Centrale arrives at Como S. Giovanni.