London to Lake Como: Flights, Transfers and Getting There 2026

London to Lake Como: Flights, Transfers and Getting There in 2026

Lake Como sits about 1,500 kilometres from London. The good news: you can get there in a single day, without overnight stops or complicated connections. The journey is part flight, part private transfer — and getting the second half right makes a bigger difference than most people realise. This guide covers the full picture: which London airport and Milan airport to use, how to get from the airport to your hotel on the lake, and what everything actually costs.

Which London Airport to Use?

You have four realistic options from London, each landing at a different Milan-area airport:

The cheapest route on paper is usually Stansted to Bergamo — but Bergamo (BGY) is 80 km from Lake Como versus Malpensa's 55 km. The transfer cost difference can eat up the flight saving. If you're heading to Bellagio, Varenna, or Menaggio, Malpensa is usually the better choice for total journey cost and time.

Flight Time and Total Journey Duration

London to Milan is approximately 2 hours in the air. Add check-in time (recommended 2 hours at Heathrow or Gatwick, 90 minutes at Stansted or Luton), and you land at Malpensa roughly 4.5 hours after leaving home. From Malpensa to Lake Como transfer: 50–90 minutes depending on your destination on the lake. Bellagio is the furthest from MXP — expect 80–90 minutes by car. Como town is 50–55 minutes.

Door-to-door from London, expect 8–10 hours on a good day. Early flights (6–8am from London) typically arrive at Como by early afternoon. That's a long travel day, but it's a single leg — no trains, no connections.

From the Airport to Lake Como: Your Options

This is where the real planning happens. Public transport from Malpensa to Lake Como is inconvenient — there's no direct service. From Bergamo, it's slightly better via the Bergamo-to-Milan train, then a connection to Como — but that still takes 2+ hours with luggage changes.

Malpensa (MXP) to Lake Como Destinations

Bergamo (BGY) to Lake Como

The difference in journey time between Malpensa and Bergamo to most Como destinations is relatively small — 10–20 minutes. The flight price difference is often larger. Run the numbers before booking.

Why a Private Transfer Makes Sense for This Journey

After a 2-hour flight and a day of travel, the last thing most people want is to navigate a train system with luggage in Italian. The Malpensa Express train goes to Milan city centre — not Como. From Centrale station you'd need a second train (Trenord, ~1 hour to Como San Giovanni) or a taxi, adding 90 minutes and another luggage handling moment. That's fine for solo travellers with a backpack. It's less ideal for a couple with suitcases after a long flight.

A private transfer from UboTransfer means a driver meets you in arrivals — name sign, handles the bags — and drives directly to your hotel on the lake. Flight tracking is included: if your Heathrow departure is delayed, the driver adjusts. No extra charge. You land, clear customs, and you're in a car to Como within 15 minutes of walking out of arrivals.

Lake Como: Where Are You Actually Going?

Lake Como is 50 km long and shaped like an upside-down Y. Where you stay matters for both transfers and what you can do. A few practical notes:

• Como town — largest town on the lake, at the bottom-left branch. Best train connections (to Milan), busiest tourist infrastructure. Closest to Malpensa and Bergamo airports. Good for day trips to smaller villages.
• Bellagio — the most famous village, sitting at the fork where the two branches of the lake meet. Central location for reaching all parts of the lake by ferry. No cars in the village centre. Popular and priced accordingly.
• Varenna — quieter alternative to Bellagio, across the lake. Fewer tourists, similar scenery, ferry connections to Bellagio and Menaggio. Often overlooked by day-trippers.
• Menaggio — western shore, good base for walking and cycling. Ferry to Bellagio and Varenna. Slightly less touristy than Bellagio.
• Cernobbio — just above Como town, home to Villa d'Este (one of Europe's most famous hotels). Very close to Malpensa airport.

The ferry network (Navigazione Laghi) connects most villages in 20–40 minutes. Once you're on the lake, getting around is easy. The hard part is getting from the airport to the lake — that's where a private transfer earns its value.

Also from Malpensa: Lago Maggiore and the Swiss Border

Malpensa is also close to Lago Maggiore. If you're combining both lakes (common for a week-long trip), note that Stresa on Lago Maggiore is just 38 km from MXP — a 35–40 minute transfer. Lake Como (Como town) is 55 km. Some itineraries go: arrive MXP → Stresa/Lago Maggiore (2 nights) → Bellagio/Lake Como (3 nights) → return via MXP. That's a logical loop that keeps transfers short each leg.

Best Time to Visit Lake Como from London

Lake Como is a 12-month destination but peaks sharply in June and July — expect full hotels, higher prices, and ferries with queues. The sweet spots:

• April–May — flowers, cooler temperatures, smaller crowds. Gardens are at their best.
• September–October — warm enough to swim, fewer tourists than summer, autumn colour from late October.
• December — some villages decorate for Christmas, hotels are quieter, prices drop significantly.

Avoid August if you can — it's the European holiday month and Lake Como is at its busiest and most expensive.

Practical Tips

• Book transfers in advance for summer — June through August, driver availability at Malpensa and Bergamo tightens quickly. Book 2–3 weeks ahead.
• Pre-book ferries for peak days — Bellagio ferry can get crowded. The Navigazione Laghi app lets you check times.
• Currency — euros throughout. ATMs at Malpensa and Como. Avoid Bureau de Change rates at the airport.
• Luggage at Bellagio — no cars in the historic centre; your driver drops you at the edge of the village. Hotels send a porter or there are left-luggage options near the ferry dock.
• Phone SIM — UK phones work in Italy post-Brexit under most networks' roaming policies, but check your plan. EE, Vodafone, and Three include EU roaming; some smaller networks charge extra.

Frequently Asked Questions