Closest Airport to Lake Como: How to Get There

Milan Malpensa is the closest major international airport to Lake Como, sitting roughly one hour away by road. But it is not your only option, and choosing the wrong airport can add unnecessary time to your journey. This guide walks you through every airport, every transfer route, and exactly how to arrive at Brunate ready to settle in.

Table of Contents

• Step 1: Know Your Airport Options Near Lake Como
• Step 2: Choose the Right Airport for Your Journey
• Step 3: Get from Milan Malpensa to Lake Como
• Step 4: Get from Milan Linate or Bergamo Airport to Lake Como
• Step 5: Reach Brunate and Villino Rubini from Como
• Step 6: Plan Your Transfers in Advance
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Step 1: Know Your Airport Options Near Lake Como

Three airports serve Lake Como. Each has a different distance, transfer time, and cost profile. Before booking anything, it helps to see them side by side.

Malpensa handles the most traffic and connects to the widest range of intercontinental routes. Milan Malpensa Airport is officially designated as the main international hub for the Milan metropolitan area and northern Lombardy, which is why most visitors flying in from outside Europe land there first.

Bergamo is smaller and served almost entirely by low-cost carriers. It is slightly closer to Como in pure kilometres, but road access at peak times can slow things down. Linate is mainly domestic and short-haul European, making it useful for travellers connecting through Rome or Paris.

Key Takeaway: Milan Malpensa is the default choice for most travellers heading to Lake Como. Check Bergamo if you are flying with a low-cost carrier; check Linate only for specific European routes.

Step 2: Choose the Right Airport for Your Journey

The decision comes down to your flight, not just the distance. Malpensa wins on volume of routes. Bergamo wins on price if you are flexible. Linate is rarely the usable choice for Lake Como travellers unless a specific itinerary forces it.

If you are flying from North America, the Middle East, or Asia, Malpensa is almost certainly where you land. Alitalia, British Airways, and most major carriers schedule long-haul services through MXP. Once you land, the transfer to Como is well-worn and easy to pre-arrange.

If you are coming from London Stansted, Dublin, or a smaller European city, Ryanair may put you into Bergamo. In that case, Orio al Serio is fine. The road to Como takes under an hour in normal traffic, and private transfers are well-established from that terminal.

One usable point worth noting: Linate is undergoing infrastructure changes. Connections between Linate and Como require a bus or taxi into central Milan followed by a separate train. That multi-leg transfer adds time and luggage handling. For most guests staying above the lake, it is the least efficient option of the three.

If you are planning a corporate retreat or private event at Villino Rubini, it is worth factoring transfer logistics into your group's arrival plan. A coordinated private shuttle from Malpensa is far simpler than multiple taxis from Linate.

Step 3: Get from Milan Malpensa to Lake Como

You have three main ways to travel from Malpensa to Como: by train, by taxi, or by private transfer. Each suits a different kind of traveller.

By Train

Trains run from Malpensa Airport (Terminal 1) to Milano Centrale, then onward to Como San Giovanni. The full journey takes around 90 minutes to two hours depending on connections. You need to change trains in Milan. It is the most affordable option, but it requires dragging luggage through two busy stations and watching for connection times.

The Malpensa Express to Como San Giovanni runs roughly every 30 minutes during the day. From Como San Giovanni station, Brunate and the historic funicular are about a ten-minute taxi ride or a short walk to the lakefront.

By Taxi

A licensed taxi from Malpensa to Como takes around 50 to 70 minutes and bypasses all the train connections. Fixed fares apply on some routes; always confirm the price before departure. Standard metered taxis from the official rank outside the arrivals hall are reliable and clearly marked.

By Private Transfer

This is the choice most guests make when arriving at Villino Rubini. A pre-booked private driver meets you at arrivals, handles luggage, and delivers you directly to Brunate with no stops. The journey from Malpensa is roughly one hour in normal traffic. It costs more than a train ticket but removes every variable from a long-haul arrival day.

Pro Tip: Book your private transfer at least 48 hours in advance, especially in summer. Demand on the Malpensa-Como corridor peaks between June and September, and last-minute bookings can leave you waiting for availability.

Step 4: Get from Milan Linate or Bergamo Airport to Lake Como

From Linate (LIN)

Linate sits east of central Milan. To reach Como from here, the most direct route is a taxi or private car directly to Como, which runs 60 to 80 minutes depending on traffic around the city ring road. There is no direct train. If you prefer public transport, a city bus connects Linate to Milan's Centrale or Cadorna station, where you pick up the regional train to Como. That full journey can easily stretch to two hours.

For guests travelling in small groups, a single private transfer from Linate splits the cost and removes the city-centre transit altogether. It is a more comfortable option than handling Milan on arrival with bags.

From Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY)

Bergamo is the closest airport to Como in straight-line distance. By road, heading northwest along the A4 motorway and then north through Lecco or west toward Como city, the drive runs 50 to 65 minutes in light traffic. There is a regular coach service from the airport into Bergamo city, but no direct coach to Como. Most travellers from Bergamo use a taxi or pre-booked car.

One useful note: Bergamo road connections to the eastern branch of the lake, around Lecco, are particularly good. If your Lake Como stay includes time on that side of the water, Bergamo can be the more usable entry point than Malpensa.

Those planning a longer stay or a countryside base can manage arrival logistics through a tool like MyLinks.page, which lets travel agents and concierge services compile all transfer links, shuttle details, and booking contacts into a single shareable page for their clients.

Step 5: Reach Brunate and Villino Rubini from Como

Once you arrive in Como city, the final leg to Brunate is short. The village sits 720 metres above the lake, reached either by car along a winding road or by the historic Como-Brunate funicular.

The Funicular

The funicular has been running since 1894. It departs from the Como lakefront, climbs through terraced gardens and forest, and deposits you in the heart of Brunate in around seven minutes. It is one of the most pleasant short journeys in northern Italy. The bottom station is close to Como San Giovanni railway station on foot, or a brief taxi ride from anywhere in the town centre.

Villino Rubini is a short walk from the top funicular station. For guests arriving with luggage, the estate offers a private shuttle to the funicular as part of the stay, so you do not need to manage bags on the steps yourself.

By Car to Brunate

If you arrive in Como by private transfer and your driver is willing to continue, the road to Brunate winds up from the southern side of Como and takes roughly 15 minutes. Parking at the estate is available. This is the most smooth option for guests with heavier luggage or those arriving outside funicular operating hours.

Brunate itself is a quiet village. There is no through traffic above the funicular terminus. That stillness is part of what makes the estate feel genuinely removed from the lake's busier shores, even though Como is only ten minutes below.

The ten rooms across the Villa, Dependance, and Orangerie are spread across four acres of beech forest and gardens. Arriving by the funicular, on foot through the village, feels exactly right for a house of this age.

Step 6: Plan Your Transfers in Advance

The biggest mistake travellers make on the Como corridor is leaving transfers until the last moment. Malpensa is a large, busy airport. Summer weekends bring queues at the taxi rank that can run 30 minutes or more. Private transfer companies serving the Lake Como area tend to book out well in advance during peak season.

For guests coming to Villino Rubini for a wedding, corporate retreat, or exclusive hire stay, we recommend arranging all arrivals and departures before final confirmation of the event programme. Group arrivals in particular benefit from a coordinated plan: multiple private cars arriving in sequence rather than a cluster of taxis all requesting Brunate at once.

A few usable steps worth taking before travel:

• Confirm which terminal your flight uses at Malpensa (Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 , the Malpensa Express only serves Terminal 1 directly).
• Note the funicular's operating hours for your arrival day. Hours vary slightly by season.
• If arriving late at night, pre-arrange a car to Brunate. The funicular has a last departure time, and arriving after that means the road is your only option.
• Share your flight number with your transfer provider so they can monitor delays in real time.

The transfer from Malpensa to Brunate, when arranged well, is genuinely easy. One hour of motorway, a brief climb through Como, and then the funicular or a quiet hillside road. It sets the tone for a stay that moves at a slower pace than the city you left behind.

"The journey up from Como on the funicular, knowing there are four acres of quiet waiting at the top, is a very deliberate kind of arrival."

FAQ

What is the closest airport to Lake Como?

Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the closest major international airport, roughly 60 km from Como and about one hour by road. Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) is slightly shorter in distance at around 55 km but serves primarily low-cost routes. For most travellers flying internationally, Malpensa is the usable answer and has the best connections to the lake.

How long does it take to get from Malpensa to Lake Como?

By private transfer or taxi, the journey from Malpensa to Como takes around 50 to 70 minutes in normal traffic. By train, you connect through Milan and the full trip runs 90 minutes to two hours. From Como city, add another 10 to 15 minutes to reach Brunate by funicular and shuttle.

Is there a direct train from Malpensa Airport to Como?

There is no single direct train. The Malpensa Express runs to Milano Centrale, where you change to a regional train for Como San Giovanni. The connection is well-signposted but involves two trains and takes around 90 minutes total. For travellers with luggage or arriving after a long flight, a private transfer is generally more comfortable.

Can I take a taxi from Malpensa to Lake Como?

Yes. Licensed taxis are available from the official rank outside the Malpensa arrivals hall. The fare to Como is not fixed, so confirm the price before you depart. The journey runs 50 to 70 minutes. Pre-booked private transfers are a more reliable option if you want a confirmed price and a driver waiting at arrivals.

How do I get from Como to Brunate?

The Como-Brunate funicular departs from the lakefront and reaches Brunate in around seven minutes. It has been running since 1894 and is the most scenic way to arrive. Alternatively, a car can drive the winding hillside road from Como in roughly 15 minutes. Villino Rubini provides a private shuttle to the funicular for arriving guests.

Is Bergamo Airport a good option for Lake Como?

Bergamo Orio al Serio is a reasonable option if your flight routes through a low-cost carrier. It sits around 55 km from Como and the road journey takes 50 to 65 minutes. There is no direct coach to Como, so a taxi or pre-booked car is the usable transfer. For the eastern Lecco side of the lake, Bergamo can actually be more convenient than Malpensa.

Conclusion

Milan Malpensa remains the most usable entry point for travellers heading to Lake Como, and the transfer to Brunate takes under 90 minutes when it is arranged properly. Book your private transfer before you fly, note the funicular timetable for your arrival day, and the journey becomes a quiet transition rather than a logistical challenge. If you are staying at Villino Rubini, the estate's private shuttle handles the last stretch. The house is ready when you are.