How to Get to Lake Como: Routes and Tips

Getting to Lake Como is simple once you choose the right arrival point. Most visitors reach Como by train from Milan or by air through Malpensa, then continue uphill by funicular, taxi, or private transfer. Here is the route that keeps each change clear, including the final journey to Villino Rubini in Brunate.

Table of Contents

• Step 1: Choose the Best Arrival Point for Lake Como
• Step 2: Travel from Milan or Malpensa to Como
• Step 3: Continue from Como to Brunate and Villino Rubini
• Step 4: Plan Local Travel Around Lake Como
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Step 1: Choose the Best Arrival Point for Lake Como

To work out how to get to Lake Como, start with your first usable stop. Como is usually the best arrival point for Brunate because the town connects with trains, buses, taxis, boats, and the historic Como-Brunate funicular.

Travelers arriving from Milan often use Como San Giovanni station. It sits west of the old town and works well for onward travel into Como. If your train stops at a different Como station, check the onward route to the town center and the lower funicular station.

Malpensa International Airport is the main air arrival point named in the travel data for this route. From the airport, plan a separate transfer to Como. Do not assume that a train, shuttle, or taxi will leave you directly at your final address in Brunate.

Como also has a seaplane operation at the local airfield. That is a distinct arrival choice, rather than a normal connection from Malpensa. Public transport information often names the service but leaves out live schedules, fares, and booking steps. Check those details before you leave.

For a wider look at the area, our Lake Como travel guide can help you match your arrival point with your plans for the stay.

Use the Como transport information when checking the final leg. That range gives you choice, but it also means the final leg needs a little thought.

Key Takeaway: Choose Como as your ground route, then plan the uphill connection separately.

Step 2: Travel from Milan or Malpensa to Como

The clearest route from Milan is a regional train to Como San Giovanni, followed by the short connection into central Como. It avoids the road traffic that can slow the lake roads, especially when many visitors arrive at once.

First, check the departure station in Milan and confirm that the train stops at Como San Giovanni. Keep your ticket easy to reach. At the Como end, leave enough time to orient yourself before carrying bags toward the funicular or meeting a driver.

From Malpensa, treat the journey as two linked parts. The first part takes you toward Como or Milan. The second part takes you into Como and then uphill to Brunate. A private transfer can reduce changes when you have children, heavy luggage, or a late arrival, but confirm the exact drop-off point before travel.

There is no single fare or timetable that applies to every visitor. Departure times change, and the best connection depends on your airport terminal, train station, arrival hour, and luggage. The research reviewed for this route found many transport entries but no complete set of costs or live schedules. Check the carrier or station information on the day.

If you arrive in Como by car, do not set the destination only as Lake Como. Enter the exact town or accommodation address. The lake is long, and a stay on the western shore has a very different road journey from a stay above Como.

For guests staying at Villino Rubini, the estate is in Brunate rather than in Como itself. The house includes a private shuttle to the historic Como-Brunate funicular with the accommodation reservation. This removes one uncertain handoff after a long flight.

Keep these items together during the transfer:

• Your accommodation address in Brunate.
• The name of your arrival station or airport.
• A plan for the final uphill leg.
• A backup option if a train or funicular is delayed.

That small check prevents a common mistake: reaching Como, then discovering that the final connection is not part of the route you first planned.

Step 3: Continue from Como to Brunate and Villino Rubini

To reach Brunate, travel first to the Como center. The Como-Brunate funicular then climbs from the town toward the hillside village. It has run since 1894 and is the natural public transport link between the two places.

Allow time to walk from your arrival point to the lower funicular station. The route may feel easy on a map but less so with large cases. If you have a full car, a stroller, or mobility concerns, arrange a taxi or private transfer for the final section.

At the upper station, Brunate becomes a village route rather than a city route. Streets can be steep, and the best path depends on the exact address. Save the estate details before leaving the station. Mobile service can vary on hillside roads.

Villino Rubini is set in Brunate above Lake Como, within about four acres of beech forest and gardens. The estate has ten rooms across the Villa, Dependance, and Orangerie. It can accommodate up to nineteen guests, with eleven bathrooms.

The house is an Art Nouveau estate built in 1892. Its original ceiling mouldings, floors, and period details remain after recent restoration. Guests can also use the heated pool, spa, sauna, gym, and studio within the private grounds.

For a stay at Villino Rubini, the included shuttle to the funicular is the useful detail. It links the house with Como and nearby restaurants. The estate also states that Como is ten minutes below by car or funicular, while Malpensa is about one hour away.

Pack for the last few minutes, not only the flight. A small case is easier on the funicular and hillside paths. If you are arriving for a wedding or celebration, retreat, or full-property stay, ask for the arrival plan before setting out.

Pro Tip: Send your arrival station, flight details, and estimated landing time to the estate before travel. That gives the shuttle plan a clear starting point.

Step 4: Plan Local Travel Around Lake Como

Once you know how to get to Lake Como, plan each day around the transport mode that suits the destination. Como works well as a base for rail, road, funicular, and boat connections. Brunate works well when your stay is built around quiet hillside time and trips down to town.

Use the funicular for Como and Brunate

The funicular is the simplest link between the town and Brunate when it is running and your bags are manageable. Check the latest operating details before you leave. Service times can change with maintenance, public holidays, or local conditions.

Use boats for lake towns

Navigazione Laghi boats and hydrofoils start from Como harbour. The ferry system is described as high frequency in the research, but no fixed fare or timetable was supplied. Check the sailing for the day you plan to travel, then leave room for the walk from the harbour.

Boats are useful for seeing more of the lake without driving. They are less useful when you have a tight dinner booking or a large amount of luggage. Weather can also affect comfort, so keep a road-based backup for important appointments.

Use a car with care

A car gives you more freedom beyond Como, but the roads around the lake can be narrow. Parking also needs to be confirmed before you set off. Do not rely on a map estimate during busy periods.

Guests at Villino Rubini can use the estate as a calm base between outings. The grounds include a heated pool, spa, sauna, gym, and studio. The estate also supports five stay formats: individual room stays with breakfast, exclusive hire, experience stays, weddings and celebrations, plus corporate events and retreats.

For a private gathering, the gardens can seat up to one hundred guests outdoors under a tent. Indoor dining is for smaller groups. That distinction matters when you plan a wedding or event around transport and weather.

Keep one flexible day in your plan. It gives you room to change from a boat to a road transfer or to spend more time in Como if a connection does not suit you.

FAQ

What is the easiest way to get to Lake Como from Milan?

The easiest public route is usually a regional train from Milan to Como San Giovanni, followed by local travel into Como. From there, take the Como-Brunate funicular or arrange a taxi for Brunate. Check the departure station and current timetable before leaving, since the best connection depends on your start point.

Which airport is best for Lake Como?

Malpensa International Airport is a useful air arrival point for Como, especially for international visitors. You still need a ground connection from the airport to Como or Milan. If you are staying in Brunate, include the final funicular, taxi, or private shuttle leg in your plan.

How do I get from Como to Brunate?

You can get from Como to Brunate by the Como-Brunate funicular, by taxi, or by arranged private transfer. The funicular starts in the center of Como and reaches the hillside village. Ask your accommodation for the exact route from the upper station, especially if you have heavy luggage.

How far is Villino Rubini from Como?

Villino Rubini is in Brunate above Lake Como, with Como about ten minutes below by car or funicular. The estate includes a private shuttle to the historic funicular with the accommodation reservation. Confirm your arrival details in advance so the final transfer is planned around your train or flight.

Can I travel around Lake Como without a car?

Yes, you can travel around Lake Como without a car by combining trains, the funicular, boats, buses, and taxis. Como is the most useful hub for these links. Boats suit lake towns, while the funicular suits Brunate. Keep a little spare time because schedules and connections are not always shown in one place.

Conclusion

For most visitors, the calmest plan is to reach Como by regional train or airport transfer, then continue to Brunate by funicular or arranged shuttle. If your stay is at Villino Rubini, send your arrival details before travel and use the included transport connection. That leaves you free to settle into the house instead of solving the final uphill leg with luggage.