Closest Airport To Lake Como Italy: Exactly Which One To Fly Into (And How To Get To The Lake)
If you’re flying to Italy and planning your first trip to Lake Como, choosing the closest airport to Lake Como Italy is one of the most important decisions you’ll make before you ever pack a bag. On a map, several airports look close. In real life, the best option depends on how you plan to travel, how much luggage you have, and how smoothly you want that first travel day to feel after an overnight flight.
I’ve flown in and out of every airport in this guide, lived in Switzerland and Italy, and spent more than 15 years traveling across Europe without owning a car. I rely almost entirely on trains, ferries, and public transportation, with private transfers used strategically when they make sense. Everything below reflects real travel — including the parts that are wonderfully easy, and the parts that are worth planning around.
This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These links help me cover the real expenses behind Spritzience, from visiting locations and retouching photos to the hours spent researching and writing guides that make your trip easier.
The Closest Airport To Lake Como ITaly – 3 Options
When Lake Como is the main focus of your trip, the closest airport to Lake Como will be either Malpensa, Linate or maybe even Bergamo, depending upon what town you’re staying in.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
For most American travelers flying long-haul, Milan Malpensa is the closest airport to Lake Como Italy in real-world terms, and it’s usually the one that makes the most sense when you factor in flight availability and price. As the largest airport in the Milan area, Malpensa consistently offers the widest range of nonstop flights from the East Coast and often the most competitive fares.
One practical perk after an overnight flight is the Carrefour supermarket in Terminal 1, which is genuinely useful for grabbing water or snacks before continuing onward. The trade-off is scale. Malpensa is a very large airport, and walking distances can add time. It’s also located in a different province from Milan (Varese), near the Lombardy–Piedmont border, which means it’s geographically farther from central Milan and Milano Centrale than many travelers expect — roughly a 30-mile journey to the main train station.
Train Connections From the Closest Airport To Lake Como ITaly
The Malpensa Express train to Milano Centrale runs every 30 minutes and takes about 51 minutes, which isn’t always ideal if Lake Como is your end goal. That said, connecting through Centrale does come with one major advantage: luggage storage inside the station.
If you’re traveling in Italy for a couple of weeks but only spending a few days on Lake Como, I strongly recommend heading north with just your carry-on and handbag and leaving your larger suitcase in storage at Centrale. Moving around the lake — and even just getting from stations to hotels — is far easier without a full suitcase, especially since I’ve arrived more than once to find no taxis and ended up dragging luggage over cobblestones for five or ten minutes. For current luggage storage hours and pricing, it’s best to check the KiBag website directly and make sure the location is set to Milano Centrale.
If you’re heading straight to the lake, there’s a smarter train routing that avoids Milano Centrale altogether. Trains connect from Malpensa to Saronno roughly every 15 minutes, and from there it’s an easy transfer north toward Como Lago station on the RE7 line. This route is more efficient after a long flight and can be completed in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Tickets cost €12.20, and while you can pre-purchase them in the Trenitalia app, I usually buy them on the app after landing or while waiting for luggage since regional trains don’t sell out or fluctuate in price. The app gives you 2 choices: Malpensa Airport T1 or T2. T2 is exclusively an EasyJet Terminal, so unless you’ve flown in on EasyJet, select T1, for the most accurate times (the price is the same).
As the closest airport to Lake Como Italy, train transit times from Malpensa typically run about 1 hour 10 minutes to Como town (change in Saranno), around 2.25 hours to Varenna– Esino (change at Milano Centrale), and Menaggio a ferry is often best from Varenna-Esino, after your train ride (or alternately 2 buses with change at Como S. Giovanni).
Bus Options
There is also a Flibco bus that runs directly from Malpensa to Como San Giovanni train station. I haven’t personally taken it, but fares are reasonable — around €9 — and it can be an option if the schedule aligns with your arrival. For up-to-date routes and timetables, it’s best to check Flibco’s website directly.
Driving & Distance
If you’re driving, Como town is about 45 minutes away (around 33 miles), Varenna about 1.5 hours (roughly 60 miles), and Menaggio around 1.5 hours (approximately 52 miles). Malpensa can actually be a calmer place to start driving than central Milan, especially if you’re jet-lagged.
Private Transfers
Private transfers from Malpensa are very common and typically range from €90 to €200 to Como town, depending on timing and vehicle type. They’re especially appealing if you’re arriving tired, traveling with larger luggage, or simply want a door-to-door arrival without juggling connections. Most hotels around Lake Como can arrange these easily, or you can book a licensed chauffeur service directly. It’s also worth checking Uber — while availability in Italy is still limited, there is some coverage from Malpensa Airport.
For many travelers, Malpensa remains the most practical and flexible answer to the question of the closest airport to Lake Como Italy, particularly when arriving long-haul from the U.S.
Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
Linate’s biggest advantage is location. It’s within Milan’s city limits and sits just about 5 miles from Milano Centrale, which usually translates to a 20-minute taxi ride with minimal traffic. That proximity alone is what often makes Linate feel like the closest airport to Lake Como in real, on-the-ground terms.
The airport itself is compact and easy to navigate, which is a welcome change after a long flight. If you’re traveling with larger luggage, one of the simplest options is to skip public transit altogether and take a taxi straight to Milano Centrale, where you’ll pick up your onward train to Lake Como.
This works especially well because Milano Centrale offers porter assistance, which can be pre-booked through KiBag Porters. Having someone move your bags from the taxi drop-off to the correct platform is a small upgrade that makes a noticeable difference when you’re tired or traveling heavy.
Metro From the Airport
If you’re comfortable using public transit, Linate is now connected by the M4 metro line, which opened in the last couple of years and was clearly designed with airport travelers in mind. The line is driverless, efficient, and modern, with wide carriages that make traveling with luggage far easier than on older metro lines. Most stations along the M4 are equipped with escalators and elevators rather than stairs, which is a real advantage when you’re managing suitcases.
The main drawback is that the M4 does not stop at Milano Centrale. Reaching Centrale requires a transfer at San Babila or Sant’Ambrogio, and at San Babila in particular, the connection involves a fairly long underground walk between lines, which can feel inconvenient with luggage. For that reason, while the metro is clean and efficient, many travelers still find a taxi to Centrale the more straightforward option.
Metro tickets cost €2.20, trains run every few minutes, and service is frequent throughout the day.
Train Connections
Once you reach Milano Centrale, connections north toward Lake Como are frequent and easy. Train transit times once you’ve arrived at Milano Centrale typically run about 40 minutes to Como town (Como S. Giovanni), around 1 hour 5 minutes hours to Varenna-Esino, and roughly Menaggio, longer as it requires using a combination of train and ferry or buses.
Centrale itself is also a pleasant place to pause. The food hall, Mercato Centrale Milano, features offerings from around 15 different chefs across Italy, ranging from panzerotti and freshly cooked pasta to seafood, grilled meats, and even smashburgers. It has a wonderful variety of foods you’re unlikely to see in one place again. There’s even a wine bar. One of my favorite ways to pass the time is mixing and matching — potatoes from one stand, dessert from another — before settling in at the communal tables.
If you’re taking a taxi from the airport, ask the driver to drop you off at the side of Milano Centrale where the Mercato food court is. Or if you’ve come by metro, head up one level, and to the left side of the ground floor of the station (it’s more like the middle level), as it’s one level below the train tracks.
Driving & Distance
If you’re driving, Como town is about 50 minutes away (around 40 miles), Varenna is about 1 hour 10 minutes (roughly 50 miles), and Menaggio is about 1 hour 45 minutes (approximately 55 miles). Linate’s position inside the city can make driving slightly more hectic at peak times, but it’s still very manageable as it’s on the city outskirts.
Private Transfers
Private transfers from Linate typically cost between €100 and €180 to Como town and are a good option if you want to avoid Milano Centrale entirely. This is often the most comfortable choice for travelers with heavy luggage or those arriving after a long flight.
If comfort, simplicity, and a shorter arrival process matter most to you, Linate is one of the easiest and most stress-free answers to the closest airport to Lake Como Italy.
Bergamo Airport (BGY)
Bergamo is compact, efficient, and often appealing on paper as a closest airport to Lake Como Italy, particularly if price is a deciding factor. It’s well known as a hub for budget airlines, with a heavy presence of Ryanair and Wizz Air flights, which means fares can be significantly lower than flying into Milan — especially on short-haul European routes.
The terminal itself is refreshingly easy to navigate, and for a relatively small airport, it has surprisingly good restaurant options, which makes time spent there far more pleasant than you might expect. Bergamo also works very well if you’re renting a car. Starting your drive from a smaller city rather than Milan means avoiding immediate city traffic, which makes the first stretch of the journey far calmer.
Bus Connections
The main drawback with Bergamo is access. There is no train or metro connection directly to the airport, so reaching it generally requires a bus. In my experience, bus schedules can feel unreliable, particularly around Milano Centrale, and there’s often a lot of “the next bus is leaving now” energy that isn’t ideal when you’re juggling luggage. Because of this, Bergamo feels far less convenient if you’re relying entirely on public transportation to get there.
For that reason, I personally find Bergamo most practical when renting a car, rather than depending on bus connections at the start or end of a trip.
Train Connections
Once you’re in Bergamo city, onward rail connections are straightforward. Train transit times from Bergamo generally run about 2 hours to Como town (change in Milano Centrale), around 2.25 hours to Varenna-Esino (change in Milano Centrale), and for Mennagio, longer as you would likely take a ferry from Varenna (more like 3.5 hours).
Driving & Distance
If you’re driving from Bergamo airport, Como town is about 1.5 hours away (around 40 miles), Varenna is about 1 hour and 20 minutes (roughly 39 miles), and Menaggio is around 2 hours (approximately 47 miles). For drivers, Bergamo’s location can actually feel easier than starting in Milan, particularly during peak traffic times.
Private Transfers
Private transfers from Bergamo typically cost between €100 and €200 to Como town and are worth considering if you want to bypass bus connections entirely. This option can also make sense if you’ve booked a particularly good flight deal and want to preserve ease on arrival.
Bergamo can be the closest airport to Lake Como for certain itineraries — especially budget-focused ones — but it’s best used selectively and with a clear plan for onward travel.
Why I Focus on Como Town, Varenna, and Menaggio
When comparing the closest airport to Lake Como Italy, options, I centered this guide around Como town, Varenna, and Menaggio intentionally. These are sizable towns with a range of accommodations and reliable transit once you arrive. Also, they sit on three different sections of the lake.
Como town anchors the southern end and is the easiest to reach directly by train. Varenna sits on the east side with excellent rail and ferry connections, while Menaggio represents the west side and works beautifully once you’re already on the lake.
If you’re staying in one of Lake Como’s smaller villages, logistics can become more complex. Ferry schedules may be limited depending on the season, and trains only run up the Eastern side, making selective stops. To not miss out on these incredible villages, it’s often simplest to train to Como town or Varenna and continue by ferry, or to arrange a private transfer from Como town.
It’s also worth asking your hotel or B&B for help — many properties are used to coordinating arrivals and can arrange a trusted driver or recommend a reputable transfer company.
Extending Your Lake Como Trip With a Second Cultural Stop
So, when does it make sense not to fly into the closest airport to Lake Como Italy? When you have a bit more time and can add a second city to elevate the entire experience. Zurich, Venice, and Florence all pair beautifully with the lake because each offers a clear cultural contrast — whether that’s alpine precision, artistic intensity, or Renaissance craftsmanship — without pulling you too far off course.
For many itineraries, it makes sense to fly into one of these cities and out via the closest airport to Lake Como Italy, or reverse the route entirely, especially if you’re planning to spend several days on Lake Como followed by time immersed in museums, design, food, or historic neighborhoods. Thinking about your flights this way creates a natural flow through northern Italy (and Switzerland), turning your arrival and departure into part of the experience rather than logistical bookends.
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Zurich is one of my favorite airports to pair with Lake Como because of the great contrast it offers, both culturally and logistically. Many long-distance trains depart directly from Zurich Airport to Italy, which means you don’t need to navigate into the city just to make a connection. Swiss trains run with a level of precision that makes onward travel feel reassuring rather than rushed, and there’s also a sizable Migros supermarket in the airport, which is ideal for stocking up on snacks before a scenic cross-border journey.
Zurich also excels when it comes to luggage logistics. Switzerland offers some of the most traveler-friendly luggage services in Europe. Services like Fly Luggage allow you to send suitcases or even skis from your home airport directly to your onward destination in Switzerland, skipping the baggage carousel entirely.
Within Switzerland, the SBB train system also offers station-to-station luggage services, allowing you to hand in bags at one station and collect them days later. I still think about how much easier some of my earlier trips would have been if I’d known about this when I was hauling skis & boots through multiple cities.
If I were flying via Zurich for a Lake Como trip today, I’d travel to the lake with just a carry-on and a handbag and send a second suitcase with fresh clothes onward to collect later in the trip. That way, Lake Como stays light and effortless, without dragging a full suitcase onto ferries or through lakeside towns, and everything I need for the next destination is waiting for me.
Culturally, Zurich feels alpine, design-forward, and quietly refined, which makes it a perfect contrast to Lake Como’s Italian elegance. The train from Como S. Giovanni to Zurich Central Station (HBF) is about 2.5 hours.
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Venice pairs beautifully with Lake Como because it offers a completely contrasting experience on the water. After days defined by open water and movement between towns, Venice pulls you into a dense, layered city shaped by art, architecture, and craftsmanship. Museums, historic neighborhoods, and artisanal traditions — from glass to textiles — add cultural depth that complements the calm of the lake rather than repeating it.
The train journey between Lake Como and Venice is straightforward, and this is another route where business class on Trenitalia is worth the upgrade. The larger seats, additional luggage space, and onboard snack and drink service turn what could feel like a long transfer into a relaxed interlude, especially if you’ve already spent several days moving slowly around the lake.
The trip from Como S. Giovanni to Venezia S. Lucia station takes about 3.5 hours, with some direct trains, and others that reuqire a change in Milano Centrale. Venice is also one of my favorite spots for buying handcrafted goods- everything from Carnival masks to handblown glasses and chandeliers, a glimpse of my favorite shops, read my post on Venice and handcrafted souvenirs.
Florence Airport (FLR)
Florence works so well after Lake Como because it introduces creative and intellectual energy. After days shaped by water and landscape, Florence pulls you into museums, workshops, and centuries of artistic ambition. Architecturally, culturally, and gastronomically, it’s a clear shift — and that’s exactly why the pairing works.
Traveling to Florence by train is efficient and comfortable, and again, business class via Trenitalia makes a noticeable difference. The extra space, quieter carriage, and onboard drink service are especially welcome if you’ve been shopping for handcrafted goods along the way. Florence rewards slow wandering and close looking, making it a natural second chapter after Lake Como. The trip from Como S. Giovanni to Firenze S.M. Novella takes about 3 hours, with a change in Milano Centrale.
Florence and its suburbs also have an incredible food scene. If you want to see firsthand, check out my article on great Tuscan food in Pistoia, and this incredible medieval town, just a 45-minute train ride from Florence.
Ferry Luggage and Practicalities
Lake Como ferries allow each passenger one piece of baggage free of charge, provided it does not exceed 0.60 meters on the longest side, a volume of 40 dmc, and a weight of 20 kg. Larger or heavier luggage up to 60 kg can be carried on board with a €4.20 fee per item.
Child strollers, wheelchairs, and tricycles for disabled passengers are free. During peak periods, space restrictions may apply, so it’s always best to check the official ferry operator directly for the most up-to-date rules.
Sciopero, Luggage, and Backup Planning
Transport strikes, known as sciopero, are part of Italian life. They’re usually announced in advance, and I always check three weeks before traveling and again one week before traveling. I’ve had to spend an extra night in a town and short a night elsewhere many a time due to a sciopero. If flexibility isn’t possible, having a backup plan matters. Renting a car or booking a private transfer can save a trip if trains or ferries are affected.
Trains and ferries are generally luggage-friendly, but local buses around Lake Como can be more restrictive, which is why trains and ferries are usually the easiest combination. For trains, I rely on the Trenitalia app to check schedules, buy and change tickets, and monitor delays in real time, and I always allow 15 to 20 minutes for connections. For ferries, tickets and timetables can also be found online.
Planning Lake Como With Confidence
Once you’ve sorted the closest airport to Lake Como Italy and your arrival feels effortless, the lake starts to work its quiet magic. This is where Lake Como shifts from a destination into a feeling — long mornings, unhurried ferries, and days shaped by light on the water rather than a checklist.
Where you choose to stay matters more here than almost anywhere else, and that decision influences everything from how often you use the ferries, buses and to whether evenings feel lively or blissfully still. It’s why I put so much thought into Where to Stay on Lake Como: Choose With Confidence, especially if you’re deciding between lively towns and slower, more intimate corners of the lake. If Varenna is part of your plan, the arrival itself becomes a memory; walking into town along the water is one of those moments that stays with you, and Varenna and its Passeggiata degli Innamorati is quite simply, the most beautiful way to begin.
Lake Como also reveals its soul when you move through it slowly — wandering between villages, climbing above the lake for quieter perspectives, and letting time stretch — all of which I share in How to Walk Lake Como: Hiking Trails. Another way to experience the lake is to visit historic estates Lake Como Villas: Experience the Glamour or by lingering in Como town long enough to understand its silk history and enjoy an aperitivo. This is Lake Como at its best — not rushed, not overplanned, and quietly unforgettable.
A Note on Accuracy and Experience
This article is based on my personal travel experiences and opinions after more than 15 years of living in Switzerland and Italy, and traveling throughout Europe, relying primarily on public transportation. Train times and routing examples are accurate at the time of publishing (winter), but as schedules do adjust seasonally, it’s always best to confirm details using Trenitalia for Italy and SBB for Switzerland before you travel by train, and the local ferry and bus operators for additional timetables.
