First, decide where on the lake you're going

Lake Como has three branches. The south-western branch ends at the city of Como, the closest point to Milan. The south-eastern branch ends at Lecco. In the middle, where the branches meet, you'll find the famous villages that appear on most postcards.

• Como town: the easiest place to reach by train, with a lakefront promenade, the funicular up to Brunate and boats to the villages.
• Varenna: on the eastern shore, with a direct train from Milano Centrale and ferries that cross to Bellagio and Menaggio in minutes.
• Bellagio: on the tip of the peninsula between the two branches. There's no railway, so you arrive by boat or by road.
• Menaggio and Tremezzo: on the western shore, reached by boat or by the lakeside road from Como. Tremezzo is home to Villa Carlotta, and nearby Lenno to Villa del Balbianello.

Once you know your destination, the best route becomes much clearer.

Option 1: train from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni

Regional Trenord trains run from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni in about 40 minutes, and a second-class ticket costs €5.20 at the time of writing. Some international EuroCity trains towards Switzerland also stop at Como San Giovanni; they're comfortable but cost more. The station sits on a hill above the town, and from there it's a 10 to 15 minute walk downhill to the lakefront and the boat piers.

This is the fastest public transport route to the lake and the best choice for a day trip to Como town itself. With luggage, though, the walk to the lake and back up to the station is worth keeping in mind.

Option 2: train from Milano Cadorna to Como Nord Lago

Trenord also runs trains on the Milano–Como line from Cadorna station to Como Nord Lago. The journey takes about an hour, so it's slower than the Centrale route, but Como Nord Lago is right on the lakefront, a few steps from the ferry piers. If you're staying near Cadorna or plan to continue by boat, it's a convenient option.

Option 3: train to Varenna

For Bellagio, Varenna and the central lake, take a train from Milano Centrale on the line towards Lecco, Sondrio and Tirano, and get off at Varenna-Esino. The direct regional train takes around 1 hour and 5 minutes. From the station it's a short walk down to the pier, where ferries cross to Bellagio and Menaggio in around 15 minutes.

Many travellers consider this the best route of all, because it avoids the long boat trip from Como and brings you straight into the most scenic part of the lake. On summer weekends the trains can be crowded, so start early or travel midweek if you can.

Option 4: boats on the lake

Once you're on the lake, boats are the classic way to move between villages. Navigazione Laghi, the public ferry operator, runs slow boats, fast hydrofoils and car ferries. From Como to Bellagio a hydrofoil takes around 45 minutes, while a slow boat can take two hours or more but stops at almost every village along the way – a sightseeing cruise in its own right.

In the central lake, short ferry crossings between Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio make it easy to visit all three in one day. Timetables are reduced outside the summer season, so always check the last boat back. Trenord also sells combined train-and-boat tickets for day trips, which can be good value.

Option 5: local buses

Local buses run from Como along both shores of the lake. They're inexpensive, but they're slow on the narrow lakeside roads and often crowded in summer. They're useful for short hops between villages that aren't well served by boats, rather than for travelling from Milan.

Option 6: driving yourself

Milan to Como is about 50 kilometres, roughly an hour by motorway in normal traffic, and Bellagio or Menaggio take longer. Driving gives you freedom, but there are a few things to know. The roads along the lake are narrow and winding, with tight bends and buses coming the other way. Parking in Bellagio, Varenna and Como is limited and expensive in high season, and some village centres have restricted traffic zones.

If you're used to mountain roads and plan to explore several villages at your own pace, a car can work well. If not, driving can turn a relaxing day into a stressful one.

Option 7: private transfer with driver

A private transfer takes you from your hotel in Milan – or straight from Malpensa, Linate or Bergamo airport – to the door of your hotel or villa on Lake Como. Typical driving times are about an hour to Como and around 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes to Bellagio or Menaggio, depending on traffic and route. There's no need to change trains, carry luggage to the pier or wait for a ferry.

It's the most comfortable option when:

• you're travelling with luggage, especially to a hotel or villa away from the stations;
• you're arriving at one of Milan's airports and want to go straight to the lake;
• you're a family or a group, so the cost per person is reasonable;
• you're attending a wedding or an event on the lake and need guests to arrive on time;
• you want a day with several stops – Como, a villa, lunch in Bellagio – and a driver who waits for you.

With Airport Transfers Milan, transfers from Milan to Lake Como start from €[XX] per vehicle, and you can also book a driver by the hour for a full day around the lake.