Are you planning on visiting Lake Como from Florence but need help finding the best route and means to get there? If so, you’ll find this article helpful as it covers the easiest way to travel from Florence to Lake Como.
Visiting Lake Como from Florence can be daunting, especially for first-time travelers, but it’s worth your stress.
There are a few ways to travel from Florence to Lake, but the most famous is by car or train. Although the train stands out as the most used among the two.
The duration from Florence to Lake Como is about 3 hours, and you’ll find several trains navigating this route for around $20.
Trains aren’t popular in Lake Como, so you’ll have to depend on the ferry and the bus system to explore the town. Traveling from Florence to Lake Como is exciting, for the fun activities in Lake Como and the view of some beautiful cities. Cities like Milan, Parma, and Bologna are all famous cities you can stop by on your way to Lake Como.
Traveling From Florence to Lake Como By Car
Florence isn’t very close to Lake Como, as many people assume. Whether traveling by car or train, you’ll spend at least 3-4 hours on the road.
Spending 3-4 hours on the road isn’t ideal for a road trip, but you can decide to rent a car and turn what could have been a tiring trip into something exciting.
Using a Car from Florence to Lake Como has the following benefits:
• Traveling by car allows you to explore the fantastic Lake Como.
• There are numerous iconic stops along the route from Florence to Lake Como, and using a car offers you a chance to stop at any.
• Traveling from Florence to Lake Como is more enjoyable by road than train.
Where to Rent a Car
You can rent a car that will take you from Florence to Lake Como from both Rome and Milan Airport. These two are major international hubs where you can easily find a car to embark on your trip.
Best Stops Along Florence to Lake Como
When traveling from Florence to Lake Como, you’ll come across several unique locations which you may decide to stop by and check out. Here’s a list of some beautiful cities you’ll find:
Parma
Parma is a beautiful place to relax for a day or two when heading to Lake Como. Parma lies in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region and stands out for its stunning architecture and tasty dishes.
Over here at Parma, you’ll find some of Italy’s most popular dishes like Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and prosciutto.
Bologna
Bologna is another beautiful city in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and stands as the town with the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna. Bologna stands out for its nightlife, cuisine, and traditions.
Milan
Milan is another beautiful place to stop by and spend a day or two on your way to Lake Como. Famous as the capital of the Lombardy region, Milan ranks as one of the largest Italian cities and is home to some of Italy’s most famous attractions.
Milan is also famous for its fashion, cuisine, and design. The city also has several parks and picturesque places, making it the perfect place for relaxation.
Traveling From Florence to Lake Como by Train
Traveling via train is the cheapest and fastest way to travel from Florence to Lake Como. Trains are always on standby whenever you decide to make your trip.
The average estimated time to get from Florence to Lake Como is 3 hours, although Italian rails have a negative track record of delay, so that you may exceed more than 3 hours on your trip.
Traveling via train is safe and fast. Italian trains are usually elegant, air-conditioned, and equipped with bathrooms.
When traveling from Florence to Lake Como via a train, you must go to the departure train station at Firenze Santa Maria Novella in Florence. They’ll stop you at the Como San Giovanni train station upon arrival.
You won’t find any direct train heading to Lake Como from Florence, so you must transfer to Milano Centrale or Garibaldi Train station. However, you’ll find one of Trenord’s regional trains heading to Como San Giovanni at any of these locations.
Train Time and Schedule From Florence to Lake Como
You’ll find a train heading from Florence to Lake Como every half hour or more. Remember that the first train usually leaves Florence at 2:03 am on weekdays, while the last departs at 9:55 pm.
Cost of Train Ticket From Florence to Lake Como
For a standard one-way ticket, the cheapest you’ll find from Florence to Lake Como is about €15. The price may vary depending on how soon you buy your ticket.
If you need a cheap train ticket, purchase it in a few months. Most train companies inflate ticket prices during rush hours, usually between 6:00 – 10:00 am and 3:00 – 7:00 pm on weekdays.
Transportation Tips When Traveling From Florence to Lake Como
1. Having a car in Italy is tiring because of the small streets, but having a car in Lake Como is vital because it would make you easily navigate Lake Como and other neighboring towns.
Using a bus or ferry in Lake Como isn’t entirely out of the picture, but you must note a few things.
• When using the ferry, endeavor to plan your ferry routes and transfer times for the day because most ferries only navigate a particular port at certain times.
• Ferries are usually crowded, and queues are annoying because numerous people are queuing up at popular spots for tickets.
2. Lake Como is a vast area, and lodging close to the main ports is best for travelers.
3. Having a car or renting a boat in Lake Como is worthwhile as it would allow you to move around quickly and avoid the stress of planning ferry logistics.
FAQs
Is There a Direct Train From Florence to Lake Como?
No!! There’s no direct train from Florence to Lake Como. You’ll have to transfer trains when you get to Milan, but the experience is worthwhile.
Is Florence Close to Lake Como?
Lake Como is an estimated 400 km from Florence using A1/E35 highway, and the average drive time from Florence to Lake Como is about 5 hours.
Conclusion
Lake Como is a beautiful place that is worth your time. However, if you plan to visit Lake Como, you must use a car or a train. Using a car or train has advantages and disadvantages, so you can check out both options and select the best option.