Getting Around Lake Como: A Ferries and Boats Guide

Who runs the boats: Navigazione Laghi

Public navigation on Lake Como is operated by Navigazione Laghi (the Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi), which runs the passenger boats and ferries across the whole basin. It is the reference point for getting around by water: tickets, routes and official timetables are theirs. Como is the southern terminus, with the landing stage right on the waterfront beside Piazza Cavour, steps from the historic centre — and a short walk from our kitchen.

Alongside the public service there are also private boat tours and water taxis, handy for tailored outings. But for exploring the lake independently, cheaply, and the way locals do it, the scheduled line boats are the thing to learn.

Slow boats, fast hydrofoils and the car ferry

Three kinds of vessel share the lake, each with its own logic:

• Boat (slow service) — the classic scenic steamer. It stops at many villages, is the cheapest, and is the most beautiful way to take in the villas and shores; it takes longer but you see everything.
• Hydrofoil / fast service — quicker vessels with fewer stops, built to cover the longer distances in a hurry (for example Como–Bellagio or Como–Colico). They cost a little more but save time.
• Car ferry — it connects the shores of the central lake, carrying passengers and cars between the main landing stages of the Bellagio–Varenna–Menaggio–Cadenabbia area.

For most visitors the choice is simple: slow boat if you have time and want to enjoy the ride, fast service if you need to get back to Como quickly. The car ferry mainly serves those travelling by car, or anyone who wants a frequent hop between the central-lake towns.

The main routes from Como

From Como the boats head up the western branch, calling at the coastal villages as far as the so-called central lake — the scenic heart of the Lario where the three branches meet. The most popular destinations are:

• Bellagio — the “pearl of the lake”, on the headland that splits the two southern branches; stepped lanes, villa gardens and famous views.
• Varenna — on the eastern shore, a compact, light-filled village, also convenient as it sits on the Milan–Lecco railway line.
• Menaggio — on the western shore, lively and well served, an ideal base for the central lake.
• Tremezzo and the Tremezzina stretch — facing Bellagio, famed for the villas and gardens that tumble down to the water.

Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio form the famous “triangle” of the central lake, linked frequently by the ferry: once you are there, hopping from one town to the next is easy. To plan a full outing, our day in Bellagio from Como is a good companion read.

How to read the timetable (without catching the wrong boat)

The Navigazione Laghi timetable can look dense, but it follows a clear logic. Keep a few things in mind:

• Direction and stops. Each column is one sailing: check that the village you want is actually served by that sailing, and in that direction.
• Type of vessel. The timetable distinguishes slow sailings from fast services (often with different symbols): pick by how much time you have.
• Seasonality. Frequencies change a lot between high season (spring–summer) and winter; some sailings are reduced off-season.
• Last boat back. This is the big one: always note the time of the last return to Como so you are not stranded.

Exact times and fares change through the year, so always check Navigazione Laghi’s current official timetable before you travel, especially for the last boat. We deliberately don’t list times or prices here precisely because they vary: the only reliable source is the official one, at the landing stage or on their website.

Practical tips for the day

A few small habits make everything easier. If you plan several legs in one day, consider a day pass / free-circulation ticket for the zone you care about: it often works out cheaper. Arrive at the landing stage a little early in high season, when boats to Bellagio fill up. Bring a light jacket: there is always a breeze on the water, even in summer. And if you like walking, remember that Varenna and Bellagio are a joy to explore on foot once you step off the boat.

A lovely formula is to give the morning and early afternoon to the lake and head back to Como in time for aperitivo in Como — and maybe to cook dinner with us. You will find more ideas in our weekend in Como itinerary.

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Lake by day, kitchen by night

The nice thing about our class in Como is that it runs in the evening: you get the whole day for the lake, then come back into the centre to learn hand-rolled pasta. Pick your masterclass — the Tagliatelle – Fresh Tomato, the Tagliatelle – Ragù Bolognese, the Ravioloni Verdi – Ricotta or the Farfalle e Garganelli – Ragù — and round off your day on the water with a spritz lesson and gelato topped with a few drops of Traditional Balsamic of Modena DOP. See how it runs on our how it works page.