MXP → Lake Como (Como San Giovanni & Varenna) Updated for 2026

Milan Malpensa (MXP) to Lake Como: Train & Private Transfer [2026]

Distance 55 km
Fastest 45 min
From €11.90
Top Pick Malpensa Express + Trenord Train (via Saronno)
Quick 10-Second Verdict:

To reach Lake Como by train without entering central Milan, take the Malpensa Express to Saronno (18 mins) and switch to the direct Trenord train to Como Lago (35 mins)—total journey time is 60–75 minutes for only €11.90. Alternatively, a Pre-Booked Private Transfer takes 45–55 minutes directly to your lakeside hotel or villa (€110–€150).

Lake Como lies just 55 km northeast of Milan Malpensa Airport. Because Malpensa is located in the northern suburbs towards the Swiss border, traveling to Lake Como from Malpensa does not require traveling into central Milan at all—the rail junction at Saronno provides a rapid, convenient bypass.

All Transfer Options Compared (2026 Fares)

Transport Option Typical Time 2026 Fare Frequency Best For Booking / Info
Malpensa Express to Saronno + Train to Como Lago Best Overall
60–75 min
€11.90
€11.90 / $13.00
 Every 30 min Best value, scenic lakeside arrival, smart travelers See Boarding Steps ↓
Pre-Booked Private Hotel Transfer to Lake Como Door-to-Door
45–55 min
€120.00
€120 / $130
 24/7 on demand Resort guests, Bellagio & Tremezzo villas, families with luggage Book Lake Como Transfer on Klook →

Detailed Step-by-Step Transfer Options

Option #1 Best Overall

Malpensa Express to Saronno + Train to Como Lago

€11.90 €11.90 / $13.00
Travel time 60–75 min
Frequency Every 30 min
Operating hours 05:56 – 22:26
Where to buy tickets Trenord ticket machines at airport railway station
Main advantage: Bypasses Milan traffic completely; arrives right at the lakefront in Como
Keep in mind: Requires one simple platform change at Saronno station

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Board the Malpensa Express towards Milano Cadorna.
  2. Disembark at Saronno station (approx. 18 minutes).
  3. Check the departure monitor and board the regional train to Como Lago (Platform 2 or 3).
  4. Arrive at Como Lago station, directly opposite the lakefront promenade.
Option #2 Door-to-Door

Pre-Booked Private Hotel Transfer to Lake Como

€120.00 €120 / $130
Travel time 45–55 min
Frequency 24/7 on demand
Operating hours 24/7
Where to buy tickets Pre-book online via Klook with flight tracking
Main advantage: Direct door-to-door to any hotel around Lake Como without hauling luggage onto trains
Keep in mind: Higher cost than train for solo travelers

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Meet your professional driver in the Malpensa Arrivals Hall.
  2. Driver loads all bags into an air-conditioned Mercedes sedan or minivan.
  3. Enjoy scenic 45-minute highway and lakeside drive directly to your hotel or villa.
Book Lake Como Transfer on Klook →
ARRIVAL CONNECTIVITY & RIDE-HAILING TIP

Need Mobile Data at the Terminal for Uber / FreeNow & Maps?

Airport Wi-Fi often drops outside the terminal curb where Uber / FreeNow pickup zones are located. Install a local eSIM before your flight so you can order a ride, translate station signs, and show digital train QR tickets immediately after landing.

Get Italy eSIM on Airalo →Compare Italy Airport eSIM on Klook →
STRESS-FREE DOOR-TO-DOOR OPTION

Prefer a Driver Waiting at Milan (MXP) Arrivals?

Traveling with heavy suitcases, young children, or landing after midnight? Pre-book a fixed-price private airport transfer or express rail pass on Klook with instant confirmation and no meter haggling.

Check Milan Transfers & Rail Passes on Klook →View Airport & City Hotels on Klook →

Tickets, Luggage & Late-Night Arrivals

How Tickets & Payments Work

You can purchase a combined single ticket from Malpensa Aeroporto to Como Lago for €11.90 at any Trenord or Trenitalia ticket machine. Simply enter "Como Lago" as your final destination.

Traveling with Suitcases

The transfer at Saronno station is straightforward with step-free elevators between platforms. Como Lago station is situated right on the lakefront, a 2-minute flat walk to the passenger ferry piers.

Arriving After Midnight

Trains via Saronno run until approximately 22:30. For late-night arrivals heading to Lake Como resorts, a pre-booked private transfer is essential.

Common Mistakes & Airport Scams to Avoid

  • Taking the train all the way into Milano Centrale and then taking another train back out to Como — this adds over 45 minutes of unnecessary travel compared to changing at Saronno.
  • Confusing Como San Giovanni station (mainline train station, 15-min walk uphill from lake) with Como Lago station (right at the water’s edge).
  • Standard taxis between Malpensa and central Milan have an official fixed government rate of €114 (including luggage and tolls). Never allow a taxi driver to turn on the meter for trips between Malpensa and Milan center, as metered fares can easily exceed €140.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the easiest way from Malpensa to Lake Como by train?

Take the Malpensa Express train to Saronno station (18 mins), then cross the platform to the direct train to Como Nord Lago (35 mins) for €11.90 total.

How much is a private taxi from Malpensa Airport to Lake Como?

A pre-booked private transfer or regulated taxi costs approximately €110 to €150 depending on whether your destination is Como city, Bellagio, or Menaggio.

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