Bellagio is located in the heart of Lake Como, right where the two branches of the lake meet. A spectacular location that makes the village unique, but requires a little planning when organizing the trip from Milan. So, how do you get to Bellagio from Milan?
Whether you are arriving from the airport of Milan Malpensa, from Milan Linate or from Milan Central Station, There are several options for reaching Bellagio: by car, train, bus, or by combining train and ferry.
In this guide, we explain the main alternatives and, above all, which ones we believe are the most convenient.
Once you arrive in Bellagio, organizing your trips between the villages and towns on the lake is equally important. In our guide on [how to get around Lake Como] you will find all the information on boats, ferries, buses and other connections.
Bellagio Italy recommends: If you travel by car from Milan, when possible choose the route via SS36 and Lecco. If you use public transport, one of the simplest solutions is to reach Varenna by train and cross the lake by ferry to Bellagio.
Getting to Bellagio by car from Milan
The distance between Milan and Bellagio is not particularly long, but travel times can vary significantly depending on traffic, the season, and especially the route chosen.
The route we recommend: Milan – SS36 – Lecco – Bellagio
Starting from Milan, our favorite route is the one that leads towards Lecco via the SS36, the main artery connecting Milan with the eastern shore of Lake Como.
Once you reach Lecco, continue following the signs for Bellagio along the road that runs along the eastern branch of the lake, passing through towns such as Valmadrera, Onno and Limonta.
This is the route we generally recommend to our guests because the first part of the journey is much smoother and easier than arriving from the Como shore.
After Lecco, the road becomes more scenic and naturally has some curves, but the longest stretch of the journey has already been traveled on a main road.
Why we prefer the route from Lecco to the one from Como
Navigators can also suggest the Milan – Como – Bellagio route.
It's certainly possible, but it's not what we normally recommend.
The road that runs along the lake from Como to Bellagio is very panoramic, but it is also narrow, winding and passes through numerous small towns. In some places, two large vehicles may have difficulty passing each other, and traffic can significantly slow down the journey, especially during peak tourist periods.
For those who do not know the roads of Lake Como or arrive after several hours of travel, the route through Lecco and the SS36 is generally easier and more relaxing.
Getting to Bellagio by car from Milan Malpensa
If you land at Milan Malpensa and rent a car directly at the airport, you can head towards Milan and then follow the signs for SS36 – Lecco.
Once you reach Lecco, continue towards Bellagio along the eastern shore of the lake.
Before setting off, we always recommend checking traffic in real time: travel times can increase during rush hour and on summer weekends.
Getting to Bellagio by car from Milan Linate
Linate is closer to the centre of Milan and allows you to reach the route towards Monza and the SS36 towards Lecco.
Even in this case we recommend setting the navigator to check that the chosen route passes through Lecco, especially if the system offers as an alternative the arrival in Bellagio via Como.
Getting to Bellagio by public transport
If you prefer not to drive, reaching Bellagio from Milan by public transport is absolutely possible.
The three main railway locations to consider are:
- Varenna
- Lecco
- Como
From each one you can continue towards Bellagio using public transport by land or by lake.
Milan Central Station – Varenna – Bellagio: the solution we recommend
From Milan Central Station to Varenna by train
One of the simplest solutions to reach Bellagio without a car is to take the train from Milan Central Station to Varenna-Esino.
The connection is direct and the journey takes approximately just over an hour.
Varenna is located on the opposite shore of the lake from Bellagio and is one of the main connecting points in the center of the lake.
From Varenna to Bellagio by ferry
From the Varenna-Esino station you can walk to the Varenna pier.
Trains depart regularly from here ferries and boats to Bellagio.
The crossing is short and offers one of the most beautiful ways to start a holiday on Lake Como: Bellagio gradually appears before you as you cross the center of the lake.
For this reason, for those arriving from Milan Central without a car, Varenna + ferry is one of the combinations we recommend most often.
During high season and on weekends, it's a good idea to allow some time between your train arrival and your ferry departure.
Milan Central Station – Lecco – Bellagio
From Milan to Lecco by train
Milan Central Station is directly connected to Lecco by frequent regional trains.
The journey lasts approximately 40 minutes, making Lecco a valid alternative to quickly get closer to Bellagio.
From Lecco to Bellagio by bus
From the Lecco station area, you can continue towards Bellagio by local public transport buses.
The route follows the eastern branch of Lake Como and passes through several villages before reaching Bellagio.
This solution can be particularly useful when train times to Varenna don't coincide well with ferry times.
From Lecco to Bellagio by boat
During the tourist season there are also lake connections available between Lecco and Bellagio.
The boat generally takes longer than the bus, but it turns the transfer into a truly panoramic experience on Lake Como.
The frequency of trips varies throughout the year, so it's always important to check the Navigazione Laghi timetable before departing.
Milan – Como – Bellagio by public transport
From Milan to Como by train
Another possibility is to reach Como San Giovanni by train from Milan.
The connection from Milan Central Station is direct and takes approximately 40 minutes.
Once you arrive in Como you can choose between bus and boat.
From Como to Bellagio by bus
The line C30 Como – Bellagio It connects Como with Bellagio, running along the eastern bank of the Como branch.
It's an economical solution that can be used year-round, but it's important to keep in mind that the route follows the narrow lakeside road and can take a long time, especially during peak traffic periods.
If you're traveling with a lot of luggage, it may also be less convenient than the train + ferry combination from Varenna.
From Como to Bellagio by boat or hydrofoil
From Como it is also possible to reach Bellagio by lake.
Depending on the season and times, they are available boats and fast services.
The traditional boat is slower but allows you to enjoy the scenery and observe numerous villages and historic villas from the lake.
The rapid service is more suitable for those who want to reduce travel times.
Sailing schedules change throughout the season, so we always recommend checking them before traveling.
How to get to Bellagio from Milan Malpensa by public transport
From the airport of Milan Malpensa The easiest way to start your journey to Bellagio is to use the Malpensa Express.
The train directly connects the airport with Milan Central Station.
Once you arrive at the Central Station you can continue by choosing one of the three solutions described above:
Milan Central Station → Varenna → Ferry to Bellagio
Our recommended solution in most cases.
Milan Central Station → Lecco → Bus or boat to Bellagio
Milan Central Station → Como → Bus or boat to Bellagio
If you have a lot of luggage, small children, or are arriving late at night, it may be more practical to arrange a private transfer directly from the airport to Bellagio.
How to get to Bellagio from Milan Linate by public transport
The airport of Milan Linate it is connected to the centre of Milan by the metro line M4.
To reach Milan Central Station, you'll need to transfer to the subway; once you arrive at the station, you can take a train to Varenna, Lecco, or Como.
Even from Linate, for most travellers heading to Bellagio, we recommend the following combination:
Linate → Milan Central Station → Varenna-Esino → ferry → Bellagio.
What's the best way to get to Bellagio from Milan?
It depends mainly on the type of trip.
If you have a car
Choose, when possible:
Milan → SS36 → Lecco → Bellagio
This is the route we normally recommend to our guests.
If you travel by public transport
Our first choice is usually:
Milan Central Station → Varenna-Esino → Ferry → Bellagio
It's simple, requires few changes, and the final leg of the journey offers a wonderful introduction to Lake Como.
If you want to turn the transfer into part of the holiday
Reach Como, Lecco, or Varenna by train and choose a lakeside connection.
Arriving in Bellagio by water is certainly one of the most evocative ways to discover the Pearl of Lake Como for the first time.
Before leaving: always check the timetables
Trains, buses and especially boats and ferries can have different times depending on the season.
During spring and summer, connections on the lake are generally more frequent, while in autumn and winter some trips are reduced.
Before definitively organizing the transfer, we therefore recommend checking the updated timetables on the official websites of:
- Trenord, for rail connections;
- Lake Navigation, for boats, ferries and express services;
- ASF Autolinee, for the Como–Bellagio line;
- Lecco Lines, for the Lecco–Bellagio connections.
Arriving in Bellagio is already part of the journey
Whether you choose car, train, or boat, the final kilometers to Bellagio are a foretaste of what awaits you during your stay.
The mountains approach the lake, the road passes through small villages and, arriving from the water, Bellagio appears right in the center of the three branches of Lake Como.
So take some time, choose the route that best suits your trip and consider the transfer not just as a move, but as a the first taste of Lake Como.
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