Rome to Lake Como — the route George Clooney takes (sort of)

There's no direct train from Rome to Lake Como. You go through Milan — which is fine, because it's fast and the connection is easy. Rome to Milan is 3 hours, then Milan to Varenna is another hour. Total: 4 hours, one change, zero stress.

🚄 Train via Milan (best option)

Best overallFast

4–4.5h totalDuration

€30–70Cost

Every 30min to MilanFrequency

Leg 1: Roma Termini → Milano Centrale by Frecciarossa (2h55). Leg 2: Milano Centrale → Varenna-Esino (1h, €7.60 regional). Or Milano → Como San Giovanni (38 min, €4.80). Buy leg 1 early for €29. Leg 2 is cheap regional — buy at the station.

💡 Pro tip: Get off at Varenna-Esino, not Como. Varenna is the most beautiful town on the eastern shore, with direct ferry to Bellagio (15 min) and Menaggio (25 min).

🚗 Driving (A1 north)

Flexible

5.5–6hDuration

€40–55 tolls + fuelCost

AnytimeFrequency

Long drive and unnecessary unless you plan to explore mountain roads. Parking in lakeside towns is a nightmare — narrow streets, ZTL zones, €20–30/day in summer.

⚠️ Warning: Lake Como ferry services reduce dramatically November–March. Check navigation.laghi.it before planning a winter trip.

Getting around Lake Como

The ferry system is your best friend. Buy a daily pass (€15 central zone) and hop between Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzo, and Lenno.

The verdict

Frecciarossa to Milan + regional to Varenna. Leave Rome by 8am, have lunch on the lake by 1pm. Don't drive — you won't need a car on Lake Como.

🚆 Book trains 🏨 Lake Como hotels 🎫 Lake tours 🚢 Boat tours

More transport guides

Rome → Milan Florence → Lake Como Milan → Lake Garda

Rome to Lake Como — the route George Clooney takes (sort of)

🚄 Train via Milan (best option)

🚗 Driving (A1 north)

Getting around Lake Como

The verdict

More transport guides

Plan your Italy trip