Tips For Nearest Airport To Lake Como | Best Airports To Fly Into For Lake Come

 

With how beautiful Lake Como is, its no surprise how popular it is. In this post, I wanted to share tips on the nearest airport to Lake Como. I have previously covered the best towns to visit on Lake Como. In addition, I have also shared tips on how to get from Milan to Lake Como by train, car and bus transfers.

 

Lake Como, also known as Lario, is the third largest of the Italian lakes and, with a maximum depth of approximately 410 meters (448 yards), is also one of the deepest lakes in Europe. This is one of the most visited destinations in Italy in addition to the beautiful and large lake that is Lake Garda. I have also shared a post on the best towns to visit on Lake Garda. 

 

While previous posts covered mainly travel from Milan to Lake Como from town centres. The below will focus more on how to get from Milan Airport to Lake Como towns as well as other airports nearest to Lake Como to make it easier to decide where to fly into for Lake Como Italy.

 

 

 

Why Visit Lake Como?

If you are planning a trip to Italy, this is one place not to miss out on. Lake Como provides one of the most picturesque scenes in the world, lined with lush gardens, luxury villas and small villages touching the shore. For hundreds of years it’s been a popular destination for the rich and famous.

 

It’s totally understandable why celebrities like George Clooney and Richard Branson have bought their own homes here. Many famous personalities have homes on the shores of Lake Como, such as Matthew Bellamy, John Kerry, Madonna, George Clooney, Gianni Versace, Julian Lennon, Richard Branson, Ben Spies, and Pierina Legnani.

 

The Lake was also the birthplace of illustrious personages such as Italian physicist Alessandro Volta, inventor of the first electric generator, the Voltaic Pile. The 1995 movie A Month by the Lake was filmed in various locations around Lake Como. Locations around Lake Como appear several times in the James Bond movie Casino Royale:

 

The lake is shaped much like an inverted letter “Y”. With that in mind, bear in mind that the best airports for Varanna or Lecco might be different to say the nearest airport to Bellagio which is on the other side of the Y shaped lake. In much the same way the nearest airport for Como will be very different if you are heading to north of the Lake Como. More on this below.

 

 

Nearest Airport To Lake Como Italy At A Glance

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP):

• Distance: Milan Malpensa Airport is situated approximately 60 to 70 kilometers (about 37 to 43 miles) to the southwest of Lake Como.
• Transport Options: From Milan Malpensa Airport, you have convenient transportation options to reach Lake Como. You can take a direct train from Malpensa Airport Terminal 1 to Como San Giovanni station, the primary railway station in Como. This journey usually takes around 40-50 minutes, offering a comfortable and scenic ride through the picturesque Italian landscape. Additionally, you can arrange for a taxi or car rental from the airport to Lake Como for added convenience and flexibility.

Airlines Serving Milan Malpensa Airport:

• Milan Malpensa Airport is one of Italy’s major international airports and is well-connected with airlines from around the world. Some of the prominent airlines operating at this airport include Alitalia, Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, British Airways, and many more. The airport offers a wide range of domestic and international flights, making it a convenient gateway to explore the breathtaking beauty of Lake Como.

 

Milan Linate Airport (LIN):

• Distance to Lake Como: Milan Linate Airport is located approximately 80 to 90 kilometers (about 50 to 56 miles) southwest of Lake Como.
• Transport Options to Lake Como: To reach Lake Como from Milan Linate Airport, you can take a combination of public transportation. First, you can take a bus or taxi to Milano Centrale railway station in Milan city center, which is roughly a 30-minute ride. From Milano Centrale, you can then catch a train to Como San Giovanni station, the main railway station in Como. The train journey typically takes about 40-50 minutes.

 

Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY):

• Distance to Lake Como: Milan Bergamo Airport, also known as Orio al Serio Airport, is situated approximately 85 to 95 kilometers (about 53 to 59 miles) northeast of Lake Como.
• Transport Options to Lake Como: To travel from Milan Bergamo Airport to Lake Como, you can take a shuttle bus or taxi to Bergamo Railway Station. From there, you can catch a train to Como San Giovanni station in Como. The train ride typically takes around 1 to 1.5 hours.

 

Airlines Serving Milan Linate Airport and Milan Bergamo Airport:

• Milan Linate Airport is served by various domestic and international airlines, including Alitalia, Lufthansa, British Airways, and more. It provides a range of flight options to and from Milan.
• Milan Bergamo Airport is primarily known as a hub for low-cost carriers such as Ryanair. It offers budget-friendly flight options to various destinations across Europe.

 

Whether you’re arriving from abroad or within Italy, Milan Malpensa Airport, Bergamo, Linate provide a convenient and well-connected entry point to begin your exploration of the enchanting Lake Como region. Enjoy the picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and serene waters of this iconic Italian destination.

These airports provide convenient access to Lake Como, and the choice between them may depend on your flight preferences and itinerary. Once you arrive at either airport, you can easily make your way to Lake Como using the suggested transport options. 

 

 

 

 

How to Get to Lake Como?

 

Flights

The easiest way to arrive into Lake Como is to fly into Milan’s Malpensa airport which is almost 25 miles south of the town. Once at the airport the shortest way for visitors to complete their trip is by taking a train or bus into the town. Taxis to Lake Como are also available.

 

I will go into more detail with regards to journey lengths. If you are coming from outside of Italy this might be the best way to get to Lake Como. If you are in Italy already or certain parts of Switzerland this might be best to use the train.

 

Trains

Being so close to the Swiss border means onward travel from Italy into the rest of Europe is accessible. Como is also just a 30-minute train ride from Milan and is well connected by train to larger cities within Italy. If you are coming from Lugano, might also be best to use the train than to fly to Lake Como. For additional tips check out my other post on how to get to Lake Como from Milan airport.

 

Bus

Lake Como is easily reached by bus from many of the surrounding areas. Local buses run to the nearby Lake Como villages and visitors can also reach the ferry port by bus. For moving onward to towns or cities most buses run hourly services until the early evening when services are less frequent.

 

 

 

The Nearest Airports To Lake Como 

Which town you decide to start your Lake Como itinerary, its alway best to know which one of the airports nearby is the best to arrive from. Lake Como’s ideal spot at the heart of Europe and Northern Italy, is are very lucky to have a variety of international & domestic airports with easy accessibility. The average travel time between Milan and Como is 33 minutes and this is the quickest route.  There are a few options when it comes to the closest international airport to Lake Como Italy. The main airports close to Lake Como are as fellows.

 

• Milan Malpensa
• Milan Linate
• Bergamo Orio al Serio on the Italian side
• Lugano Airport across the Swiss border.

 

Below is the estimated driving time and distance to reach Lake Como from the nearest airports.

Approximate Time:

• Milan Linate Airport to Lake Como – 1hr 30 mins
• Milan Malpensa Airport to Lake Como – 50 mins
• Milan Bergamo Airport to Lake Como – 1hr 30 mins

Approximate Distance To Lake Como:

• Milan Linate Airport – 95 kilometers
• Milan Malpensa Airport – 85 kilometers
• Milan Bergamo Airport – 68 kilometers

 

Milan Linate Airport

Milan Linate Airport is the third international airport of Milan, the second-largest city and largest urban area of Italy, behind Malpensa Airport and Orio al Serio Airport. Its name comes from the small village where it is located in the town of Peschiera Borromeo.

Milan Linate, the smallest of Milan’s airports, offers short to medium-range flights throughout Europe and served nearly 9.5 million passengers per year. There is just one Terminal at Milan Linate with some shops in the shopping area. The distance from Linate airport to Lake Como is 95 km and it takes 1h 35 min to get there by car.

 

Milan Malpensa Airport

Milan Malpensa Airport is used for international flights and is also a key hub for low-cost airlines. Milan Malpensa Airport is the largest airport in the Milan metropolitan area in northern Italy. Milan Malpensa is the second-busiest airport in Italy by total passengers annually 24.7.

 

It is also Italy’s second-largest airport after Rome Fiumicino. Malpensa Airport has two passenger terminals and they are connected by airport shuttle buses and trains. This is one of the closest airports to Lake Como and travel from Milan airport to Lake Como is not difficult with several options for buses, train and taxis.

There are options to take the train from Milan airport to Varenna Lake Como and other towns like Bellagio, Lecco, Nesso, Como and more.

 

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport

Orio al Serio International Airport, officially also known as Il Caravaggio International Airport, Bergamo consider as Milan’s third official airport. It started in 1980s as an airport for charter flights, cargo planes and the air force and later made a strategic – and consider very good initiative – to encourage low-cost airlines. It is located in the municipal territory of Orio al Serio, 3.7 km southeast of Bergamo in Italy.

 

RyanAir was one of the initial airlines to make Bergamo its hub and it did so in a typically bombastic fashion, inviting 80 young engaged couples to fly from Frankfurt Hahn to Bergamo on Valentine’s Day 2002. Since that time Bergamo has surpassed Linate to become Milan’s second-busiest airport and served approximately 9 million passengers each year.

Transport from Bergamo airport to Lake Como also offers several options if arrived via Bergamo. There are bus transfers and the train system from Bergamo also offers several trains heading to various towns on Lake Como from the airport.

 

Lugano Airport

This is the smallest one of all the main airports closest to Lake Como. Lugano Airport is a regional airport located 4 km west of the Swiss city of Lugano, approximately 80 km north of Milan, in the municipalities of Agno, Bioggio and Muzzano. It has a small café outside and if you are feeling hungry there is also a counter at a gate serving coffee and cakes.

 

From the car parking at only 100 m distance from the Terminal to the check-in open up to 20 minutes before departure Lugano Airport offers a quick and pleasant travel experience. Lugano Airport is the sixth-busiest airport in Switzerland.

This is another great option if looking for the nearest airport to Lake Como Italy. While not in Italy, it’s in Switzerland but still a great option. As long as you either have a Schengen Visa or don’t need one to travel around Europe.

 

 

 

 

Which Airlines Fly To Lake Como?

EasyJet, British Airways, Alitalia, Vueling Airlines, Iberia, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Air Malta and RyanAir. To name a few.

 

 

Getting To From Nearest Airport To Lake Como By Train

Europe’s railways are considered best in quality, comfort and reliability and provide you the opportunity to witness the magical scenery all the way around. There are different ways to reach Lake Como by train: but it depends on which town you want to travel. The first train leaving Milan is at 07:10, the last at 19:10. There is an average of 7 trains a day between Milan and Como, leaving approximately every 2h 51 minutes.

There is the map below and the Red lines is showing the train routes to get you some help. There are two main stations Como S. Giovanni and Como Nord Lago and both are near to city and connects Como to Millan within an hour.

 

Malpensa Airport to Lake Como

From Malpensa airport to Lake Como, you can take the Malpensa Express (travel time 25 minutes). Change at Saronno and take the train to Como (travel time 45 minutes).

 

Linate Airport to Lake Como

You can take the shuttle bus from Linate Airport to Milan Central Station (travel time approx. 20 min). From Milan Central Station train to Como San Giovanni station travel time 45 minutes. Milan Linate airport doesn’t have a direct train link to Milano Centrale. There are routine bus lines working from the airport to the main train station in Mila.

Once you arrive at the train station Como San Giovanni, then take either the C10 bus or the ferry. You can also get help to plan and price your rail journey from Omio.

 

 

Lake Como By Bus

Mostly towns around Lake Como are linked by the local bus service. Travelling by Bus is a cost-effective and easy method of transport.

Buses Routes for the most common destinations on Lake Como:

• C10 bus service: This route starts from the Como (stops are outside the two main train stations, Como S. Giovanni and Como Nord Lago) and gets to Colico (northern tip of the lake) in a couple of hours. The bus passes through each town on the left side of the western branch of Lake Como.
• C20 bus service: it runs between Como and Argegno and takes a higher panoramic route with more spectacular views. After Argegno the bus heads inland to Lanzio and the Val D’Intelvi.
• C30 bus service: This route starts from the city of Como (stops are outside the two main train stations, Como S. Giovanni and Como Nord Lago) and gets to Bellagio in 1h 10’.
• C40 bus service: this routes runs from Como to Lecco.

 

Approximate journey times

• Como to Argegno – 45 minute
• Como to Menaggio – 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Como to Bellagio – 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Como to Colico – 2 hours, 10 minutes

For Malpensa-Como bus timetable check here. You can also check the ASF bus schedule.

 

 

Lake Como by Car

The road network is good enough to move around the Lake Como. You will find the autostrada (motorway) lanes are very narrow whether you travel by car or hire one at your arrival, you will find that driving here is a bit of an adventure as Italian drivers tend to drive very quickly and are generally quite aggressively so don’t panic. After spending some time with you will get used to and adapt to driving here. 

 

TIP: Avoid driving to Lake Como from Milan on Saturdays during summer (and in the other direction on Sundays) as the roads are jam-packed with the Milanese who frequent the lake at weekends. 

 

There you have it, the tips on the airport nearest to Lake Como. Hopefully, this take the work out of figuring out what airport for Lake Como is the best to fly into. Once you arrive from any of the mentioned airports getting to Lake Como and getting around Lake Como isn’t complicated as I have hopefully highlighted.

If you have questions, comments or need additional info on getting from Malpensa to Lake Como, Milan to Lake Como by train costs although I highly recommend also checking out Omio as you will also get train times for various options.

 

 

 

Planning A Trip To Italy? Also See:

 

Guide To Lake Garda

• Tips On The Best And Closest Airport To Lake Garda
• Best Hotels In Lake Garda’s Sirmione 
• Best Thermal Baths In Lake Garda
• The Best Beaches To Check Out In Lake Garda 
• Best Restaurants In Sirmione

 

Heading To Venice?

• The Best View Points In Venice
• Best Areas To Stay In Venice
• Things To Do In Venice In Winter
• What To Pack For Venice In Winter
• How To Get To Lake Garda From Verona
• How To Get Around In Venice

 

Heading To Tuscany or other parts of Italy?

• 7 Cities In Italy Not To Miss
• How To See Florence In One Day
• How To Get To Florence From Pisa
• Best Areas To Stay In Rome
• The Best Souvenirs To Bring Back From Italy
• The Best Shopping Outlets In Italy
• The Best Itinerary For Rome In 4 Days
• Tip For Visiting The Vatican

 

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