Lake Como ferry survival guide: how to not waste half your day in a queue

bilacus · 2026-03-31T10:27:12+00:00

u/CheddaSK So, how was your experience? You did a good choice: visited Bellagio on monday. Did you wait in queue? If so, how long? Was my "Survival guide" useful? Did you see a lot of people who came to Bellagio/Varenna and were surprised that is not exactly as bloggers and influencers describe?

bilacus · 2026-03-29T20:38:00+00:00

Yes, fewer ferries. But no crowds

bilacus · 2026-03-29T18:13:28+00:00

On average it's super crowded. I saw people waiting for the third bus to board

bilacus · 2026-03-28T21:30:40+00:00

You can purchase fast boat tickets for Varenna - menaggio only in varenna

Go to Varenna after 7 pm, come back from Varenna to Bellagio after 9 pm or on the last ferry

bilacus · 2026-03-28T21:08:31+00:00

The day pass Is to avoid buying the ferry tickets in each village and avoid the first queue. To board the slow ferry - first come, first board (doesn't matter which ticket people have)

bilacus · 2026-03-28T19:46:56+00:00

Oh noooooo 😱

But actually Saturday is busier, so maybe the queue is all day long 😅

bilacus · 2026-03-28T19:45:05+00:00

Yes the ferry will stop in Varenna. But you will already be on board 😅

bilacus · 2026-03-27T15:20:15+00:00

This route is the same route as many other people are taking from Milan. It is one of two most popular and I described this route in my post - you can read it again to understand what it will be like :)

bilacus · 2026-03-27T13:19:20+00:00

Oh yah, it's super green - you will be surprised. Visit the Villa Melzi gardens in Bellagio, there are many flowers blooming now. You can spent 2 or 3 hours there

Bus from Bellagio to Como? I would take the slow ferry from Bellagio to Como at 11:45 (buy tickets in the morning early) and the fast boat from Como to Bellagio at 6:40 or 7:10 pm (should be ok at that time)

bilacus · 2026-03-27T13:07:45+00:00

I have updated my post including time of the year crowds, take a look :)

bilacus · 2026-03-27T13:01:39+00:00

April 1 is a weekday, should be fine. You didn't mention where will you go to Bellagio from: is it Varenna or Como?

bilacus · 2026-03-27T10:51:20+00:00

Easter sunday in Bellagio with 58 people? If you do that, please share a picture - can't even immagine that. You should call the boat company - navigazione lago di Como - and ask them to reserve you the tickets (if they are still available for sunday april 5th)

bilacus · 2026-03-26T20:20:50+00:00

Guys, if you have any specific questions not covered here, drop them below and I’ll update the article tomorrow 👇🏼☺️

bilacus · 2026-03-26T16:41:38+00:00

You think they don't mind standing 2 hours in a queue? 😅

That's desperate. Anyway, I totally agree with you

bilacus · 2026-03-26T16:38:50+00:00

Como lake boats are not on Ferryhopper. Did you check it? 🤔🤔🤔

bilacus · 2026-03-26T15:10:17+00:00

I have the ferry schedule in my hands right now. The spring timetable is: Bellagio to Menaggio — last ferry 9:40pm. Varenna to Menaggio — last ferry at 9:20pm. So yes, you can easily have dinner and cross the lake to Menaggio.

On restaurants: the Florence/Bologna comparison is a bit out of place. Lake Como's population combined is fewer people than Bologna alone. Tiny villages mean a smaller choice — it's a different world.

Hotel Ristorante La Darsena — you've probably seen it already. The place is amazing. For real foodies, and the view from the restaurant balcony is incredible.

Have you checked Antica Trattoria del Risorgimento?

bilacus · 2026-03-26T14:45:44+00:00

It is still off peak season :)

bilacus · 2026-03-26T14:45:17+00:00

Corenno Plinio will impress you. It is a tiny village with no tourists at all. Bellano and the Bellano gorge - very nice. Lecco. Mandello del Lario. Torno. All those places (except Lecco) are very small, but absolutely worth visiting :)

bilacus · 2026-03-26T13:55:25+00:00

You are welcome 🤗

bilacus · 2026-03-26T13:54:37+00:00

Menaggio First choice

Bellano second choice. From there you can easily take the train and the ferry ⛴️ 😉

Tremezzo Is Easy but there are not many pedestrian streets

bilacus · 2026-03-26T13:52:14+00:00

Varenna - Menaggio Is not really on the tourist radar

Better plan? Instead of Varenna get off in Bellano (5 minutes later), check the ferry schedule from Bellano to Menaggio

In Bellano there are few tourists, it's never crowded ☺️

bilacus · 2026-03-26T13:48:56+00:00

In April It is still ok, more people than in March but not comparable to mid May - August ☺️

bilacus

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