How to get from Milan to Lake Como

As soon as you pass through the Passalacqua gates, civilization is suddenly miles away. Time seems to stand still on our cobbled lanes and stone stairways, in the generous shade of our grandfather trees. It almost feels wrong that this place—where one feels so blissfully cut off from the world—is so easy to access! Whether you rely on planes, trains or automobiles to get from Milan to Lake Como, in a matter of minutes you are there. But be forewarned: Once you arrive, you may never want to leave…

Planes

Thanks to Lake Como’s ideal location at the heart of Europe, we have several international connections within easy reach. This makes it convenient for our guests to arrive at the villa on Lake Como from Milan’s three airports in roughly 90 minutes: Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate and Bergamo Orio al Serio. Malpensa is the only airport with direct flights to the US, while the other airports offer good connections through many other European hubs. Each airport offers a range of possible stopovers on your way to the villa. What strikes your fancy? 

Milan Malpensa 

The drive from Milan Malpensa to Lake Como takes you through the plains of Lombardy with a rich culinary and cultural heritage to discover, from a visit to Milan’s many world-class museums and boutiques to a leisurely lunch at the three-Michelin-star Villa Crespi on the shores of lovely Lake Orta. One of our favorite stops—particularly for the Alfisti (as Alfa Romeo aficionados are called!) among you—is the Museo Alfa Romeo in Arese. This 53,000-square-foot, six-story museum takes visitors through the traditional Milanese carmaker’s 100+ year history and offers a nice café as well as countless vehicles on display, from the first car to be produced at the historic Portello factory to cool concept cars and champion racers.

Milan Linate

Milan Linate, the smallest of the city’s airports, offers short to medium-range flights to numerous European hubs. Just four miles from downtown, guests arriving here might want to see some of the city sights on their way to the villa—like the massive museum complex housed in the 15th-century Castello Sforzesco or the chic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. Another option would be a detour through the Collina di Montevecchia hills, a lush green paradise between Milan and Lecco renowned for its Terre Lariane IGT wines. One standout is the Terrazze di Montevecchia winery, offering cellar tours, wine tastings and an opportunity to take in the scenery from the excellent farmhouse restaurant.

Bergamo Orio al Serio

Although it is not technically within Milan’s city limits, Bergamo counts as the third official airport in the region. The airport services mostly low-budget airlines, which could come in handy for guests visiting farther flung destinations on their European vacation. Flying in and out of Orio al Serio puts you within striking distance of the historic hilltop town of Bergamo with its churches and quaint squares as well as the masterpiece-filled Accademia Carrara. The spa town of San Pellegrino is just outside town, where you can book treatments and dine on wellness cuisine at its glorious thermal baths. If you’ve got kids in tow, you might want to make a stop at Le Cornelle outside Bergamo, a lovely little wildlife park with exotic animals and playgrounds to chase the jetlag away.

Trains

Visitors from outside Europe often underestimate the joys of rail travel—with all its anachronistic, Room-With-A-View charm. The best rail connections are from Milan Malpensa, where guests can board a connection for Como directly in the airport. The Malpensa Express leaves the airport train station every thirty minutes, and all trains on this line stop in Saronno, where you can board one of the many trains for Como. From Milan Linate, there is a shuttle bus to Milano Centrale station, where trains for Como San Giovanni station leave every hour. There is also a shuttle bus from Bergamo airport to the Monza train station, where a train departs for Como San Giovanni station every thirty minutes during peak hours. Once in Como, guests can rely on either a taxi, one of our chauffeurs or the public ferry, or battello, for the onward journey to Moltrasio.

Milan Malpensa to Lake Como by train? 
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by train, depending on connections.
 
Milan Linate to Lake Como by train? 
Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by train, depending on connections.

Milan Bergamo airport to Lake Como by train? 
Approximately 2 hours by train, depending on connections.

Automobiles

Driving in Italy has its challenges, and you may not want to juggle the merciless truck drivers, daredevil motorcyclists and wannabe Formula 1 drivers on the Italian highways, particularly during rush hour. That said, having a car gives you the flexibility to visit out-of-the-way places, particularly if you opt for a compact car that is easy to maneuver on the narrow Lake Como roads. If you choose to get to Passalacqua by car, Malpensa is the straightest and easiest shot: Just follow directions for Milan on the A8, exit onto the A9 towards Como/Chiasso. From Milan Linate, take the beltway around the city in the direction Tangenziale Est, take the A4 towards Torino/Malpensa, the A8 towards Malpensa and the A9 towards Como/Chiasso (Como/Chiasso will be signposted throughout the journey). After leaving the A9 at the “Lago di Como” exit, turn left on Via Regina by the lake and follow it until you get to Moltrasio. Turn left on “via Besana”, go up the hill and bear right into Via Palazzo di Moltrasio at the sign for Passalacqua.

The ideal—and the most relaxing!—way to get to Passalacqua is by private chauffer. Our charming drivers would be more than happy to collect you at any of the airports or train stations and deliver you to the villa gates in style. And they are not only a wealth of knowledge about the local culture and people, but they can also arrange a stopover at the destination of your choice.

How far is Lake Como from Milan Malpensa by car? 
37 miles (60 km) and approximately 48 minutes by car with no stops.

How far is Lake Como from Milan Linate by car? 
43 miles (70 km) and approximately one hour by car with no stops.

How far is Lake Como from Milan Bergamo airport by car? 
62 miles (100 km) and approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes by car with no stops.