Lake Como Ferry Guide: How to Use Ferries Without Stress

Taking a boat on Lake Como is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have during a trip to the lake. Seeing Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, Lenno or Como from the water is completely different from visiting them only by road.

But there is one important thing to know right away: using ferries on Lake Como requires a little planning.

The lake is wonderful, but it does not work like a metro system. Timetables change depending on the season, queues can be long, some routes are very popular, and in high season you may end up spending a lot of time just buying a ticket or trying to get back to your base.

This guide was created to help you use boats and ferries without stress, avoiding the most common mistakes tourists make.

In short: what to know before taking a boat

If this is your first time on Lake Como, keep these points in mind:

• always check your return boat before you leave;

• do not assume that boats run as frequently as a metro system;

• buying your ticket online does not automatically mean you can skip the boarding queue;

• in summer, arrive at the pier early;

• Como, Bellagio and Varenna are among the busiest ferry stops;

• regular passenger boats, fast services and car ferries are not the same thing;

• with children, strollers or people with reduced mobility, it is better to choose simple routes and more comfortable boats.

Taking a boat is one of the best ways to experience Lake Como, but only if you plan it with a little common sense.

1. The golden rule: check your return boat first

The most important tip is simple: before you leave, always check how you will get back.

Many visitors plan their day by looking only at how to get to Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio or Como. But the problem is often not the outward journey. The problem is the return.

In summer, especially at weekends and on public holidays, ferries can be very crowded. Queues at the ticket offices can be long, some boats may fill up, and the last connections of the day are not always convenient for every itinerary.

Before starting your day, always check the official timetables on the Navigazione Laghi website:
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/biglietti-e-orari-lago-di-como/

In particular, check:

• the time of the last useful boat back;

• whether you need to buy your return ticket in advance or at your destination;

• how much time you have between one visit and the next;

• whether you have connections with trains, buses, restaurants or timed entrance tickets.

Lake Como should be enjoyed slowly. Planning your return before your outward journey can save you a lot of complications.

2. Be careful: buying your ticket online does not mean skipping the boarding queue

Buying your ticket online can be very useful, especially during busy periods. It allows you to avoid the ticket office queue and arrive at the pier with your ticket already ready.

But be careful: buying your ticket online does not necessarily mean skipping the queue to board the boat.

This is one of the most common mistakes. Many tourists buy their ticket online and think they can arrive at the pier five minutes before departure. In reality, you still need to arrive in good time, find the correct boarding point and follow the normal boarding procedure.

In high season, especially in Como, Bellagio and Varenna, there can be a lot of people waiting just to board. For this reason, even with a ticket already purchased, it is better to arrive early.

An online ticket makes one part of your trip easier, but it does not turn the boat into a service with automatic priority boarding.

Want to understand which ferry ticket to buy?

Lake Como ferry tickets do not all work in the same way. One-way tickets, return tickets, circular tickets, fast services, car ferries and passes follow different rules.

Read the dedicated guide:

👉 Lake Como Ferry Tickets: Which Ticket Should You Buy?

3. How to avoid queues at the piers

Queues at the piers are one of the most common problems for visitors using Lake Como ferries in high season.

In July and August, at weekends, during public holidays and on sunny days, some ferry stops can become very crowded. The most critical places are often Como, Bellagio and Varenna, because they are among the most visited towns and are used both as departure points and return points.

On a quiet day, arriving 15–20 minutes before departure may be enough. In high season, however, it is much better to arrive at least 30–45 minutes early. At the busiest times, especially around the middle of the day, you may have to wait 1 hour or more between the ticket office queue, checking the timetable and boarding.

If you are leaving from Como for a long route, or if you need to return from Bellagio or Varenna in the afternoon, do not arrive at the last minute. The risk is not only missing the boat, but also spending a lot of time in line or not being able to take the connection you had planned.

The most delicate times are usually:

• late morning, when many tourists start their day trips;

• early afternoon, when people move from one town to another;

• late afternoon, when everyone tries to return;

• weekends and public holidays;

• July and August;

• sunny days after periods of bad weather.

A practical tip: start early in the morning and return before the late-afternoon rush. Or plan your visit in a more relaxed way, so you do not depend on the last available boat.

Also remember that at many piers you may have to wait in the sun. In summer, bring water, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, especially if you are travelling with children or elderly people. You will not always find shade, seats or cafés right next to the waiting area.

If you have a train, a restaurant reservation, a timed entrance to Villa del Balbianello or an important transfer, always leave extra time. On Lake Como, a tight connection can turn a pleasant day into a stressful race.

To reduce the risk of queues:

• check the official timetables before leaving;

• buy online when possible;

• arrive at the pier early;

• avoid the middle of the day during the busiest months;

• do not wait for the last boat to return;

• always have a plan B, especially if you need to get back to Milan or Como.

Taking a boat remains one of the most beautiful ways to experience Lake Como, but in high season it needs a little common sense. It is better to wait a few extra minutes calmly than to miss the right connection.

4. Regular boats, fast services and car ferries: what is the difference?

Many tourists get confused between regular boats, ferries, fast ferries, boats, car ferries and fast services.

Understanding the difference is important, because not all services work in the same way.

Passenger boats

These are the classic passenger boats. They connect different towns around the lake and are perfect for visiting Lake Como slowly while enjoying the views.

They are ideal if you want to travel between places such as Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, Lenno and other towns along the lake.

Fast services

Fast services are quicker and are especially useful for longer routes. They can save you time, but they often have different conditions, higher prices or more limited availability.

Do not assume that a fast service is always available or bookable like a train. Check it in advance.

Car ferries in the central lake area

Car ferries are very important in the central part of Lake Como. They connect places such as Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Cadenabbia.

They are also useful if you are travelling on foot, because they allow you to cross the lake quickly between some of the most visited towns.

This central area is often the most practical part of the lake if you want to see several towns without using the car all day.

5. Ferries with children and people with reduced mobility: keep it simple

If you are travelling with strollers, small children or people with reduced mobility, choose the type of boat carefully.

Larger regular passenger boats and car ferries in the central lake area are generally more comfortable, because they usually have more space and easier access.

Fast services, such as hydrofoils or catamarans, can be less practical: they often have narrower indoor spaces, steeper stairs and less freedom to move around. With an open stroller, bulky luggage or mobility difficulties, they can become uncomfortable.

If you have specific needs, check the type of service in advance and ask the pier staff for information. On Lake Como, taking a boat can be a wonderful experience even with children, but you need to choose the right connection.

If you are travelling with children, it is usually better to choose short routes and easy towns.

Menaggio, for example, is often a good choice for families: it has a pleasant lakefront, more open spaces and a less complicated atmosphere than other villages with narrow streets and steep steps.

Varenna is beautiful, but it has steps, slopes and narrow passages. Bellagio is stunning, but in high season it is best visited early to avoid the crowds.

With small children:

• avoid too many stops in the same day;

• bring water and hats;

• allow time for breaks and gelato;

• choose beaches or lidos that are easy to reach;

• avoid tight connections;

• do not wait for the last ferry to return.

On Lake Como, the winner is not the person who sees the most places. The winner is the person who enjoys the day better.

6. The busiest places: Como, Bellagio and Varenna

Como, Bellagio and Varenna are three of the most loved places on the lake. For this very reason, they are also among the places where you are most likely to find queues, confusion or difficulties getting back.

Como

Como is a very convenient base, especially if you arrive from Milan or stay in the city. The problem is that the lake is long: reaching Bellagio or the central lake area by boat can take time.

If you leave from Como, check the duration of the route carefully and, above all, the return timetable. A Como–Bellagio trip is beautiful, but it should not be planned superficially.

Bellagio

Bellagio is one of the most famous towns on Lake Como. It is beautiful, but in high season it can be very crowded.

The main risk is getting there easily and then having difficulties returning, especially if you wait until the end of the day. If you want to visit Bellagio, it is better to go early in the morning or plan your return carefully.

Varenna

Varenna is one of the best gateways to the central lake area, especially if you arrive by train from Milan. It is romantic, scenic and well connected with Bellagio and Menaggio.

Here too, however, the pier can become crowded in high season. If you need to return to Milan by train, always leave enough time between the ferry and the train.

Want to plan a ferry itinerary?

If you want to visit Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio or Villa del Balbianello, it is not enough to know that ferries exist: you need to understand where to start, how much time you need and which routes make the most sense.

Read the practical itinerary guide:

👉 Como, Bellagio and Varenna by Ferry: Best Routes and Itineraries

7. When taking a ferry is a good idea — and when it is not

Taking a ferry is often an excellent choice, but it is not always the best solution for every situation.

It is a good idea when you want to:

• see the lake from the water;

• visit Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio or Cadenabbia without using the car;

• avoid traffic in the most touristy towns;

• enjoy a scenic day on the lake;

• move between the shores of the central lake area.

It can be less practical when:

• you have a very tight schedule;

• you are travelling with a lot of luggage;

• you have a timed entrance ticket and no extra margin;

• you are travelling in peak season and arrive at the pier at the last minute;

• you are travelling with people with reduced mobility and have not checked the type of boat.

The best choice is not always “boat or car”. Very often, the smartest solution is a combination: use the car or train to reach the right area, then move by ferry between the most beautiful towns.

8. Common mistakes to avoid

Here are the most frequent mistakes people make when using ferries on Lake Como.

Checking only the outbound journey and not the return

This is the most risky mistake, especially in high season. Before you leave, always check how you will get back.

Thinking that boats run as frequently as a metro system

They do not. Some routes have many departures, others have fewer, and timetables change depending on the season, the day of the week and the type of service.

Trying to visit too many towns in one day

Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo and Lenno are all beautiful places, but it does not make sense to fit them all into the same day. It is better to see fewer places and enjoy them more calmly.

Arriving at the pier at the last minute

In summer, especially in Como, Bellagio and Varenna, there can be long queues. Even with an online ticket, you still need to consider boarding time.

Using old timetables or screenshots found online

Timetables change. Always check the official website before you leave.

Confusing passenger boats, fast services and car ferries

They may all look like “ferries”, but they are not the same thing. Times, prices, availability and how they work can all be different.

Underestimating traffic and parking

Having a car is convenient, but traffic and parking can become a problem, especially in Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Como during busy periods.

Also consider arriving by train at Como, Lecco or Varenna stations.

Not considering children, strollers or luggage

Some villages are wonderful, but not always very easy to navigate. Steps, slopes, narrow streets and crowded piers can make everything more complicated.

Plan your Lake Como trip

Want to plan your Lake Como day better, with viewpoints, beaches, restaurants, villages, villas and practical local tips?

👉 Explore the free MySecretView Lake Como Map
https://mysecretview.com/free-map

⭐ Get the Premium Map with more local spots and practical tips
https://mysecretview.com/premium-map

⛴️ Check official ferry timetables and tickets
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/biglietti-e-orari-lago-di-como/