Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BOAT
Navigazione Lago di Como
( 800 551801, 031 57 92 11;
www.navigazionelaghi.it
;
Piazza Cavour)
ferries and hydrofoils criss-cross the lake, departing year-round from the jetty at the north-
ern end of Como's Piazza Cavour. One-way fares range from €2.50 (Como-Cernobbio) to
€12.60 (Como-Lecco or Como-Gravedona). Hydrofoil fast services entail a supplement
of €1.40 to €4.90.
Car ferries link Cadenabbia on the west shore with Varenna on the eastern shore and
Bellagio.
BUS
ASF Autolinee
( 031 24 72 47;
www.sptlinea.it
)
operates regular buses around the lake, which
depart from the bus station on Piazza Giacomo Matteotti. Key routes include
Como-Colico (€5.90, 1½ hours, three to five daily), via all the villages on the western
shore, and Como- Bellagio (€3.20, one hour 10 minutes, hourly). Further afield, buses
link Como with Bergamo (€5.90, 2¼ hours, up to six daily).
CAR
From Milan, take the A9 motorway and turn off at Monte Olimpino for Como. The SS36
leads east to Lecco while the SS233 heads west to Varese. The roads around the lake are
terribly scenic, but also windy, narrow and busy in summer.
TRAIN
Como's main train station (Como San Giovanni) is served from Milan's Stazione Centrale
and Porta Garibaldi station (€4.55 to €13, 30 minutes to one hour, hourly); some continue
on to Switzerland. Trains from Milan's Stazione Nord (€4.10, one hour) use Como's
lakeside Stazione FNM (aka Como Nord Lago). Trains from Milan to Lecco continue
north along the eastern shore. If you're going to Bellagio, it is better to continue on the
train to Varenna and make the short ferry crossing from there.
Como
POP 85,300
With its charming historic centre, 12th-century city walls and self-confident air, Como is
an elegant and prosperous town. Built on the wealth of the silk industry, it remains
Europe's most important producer of silk products; you can buy scarves and ties here for a
fraction of the cost elsewhere.
