Taking a day trip from Lake Como to Lugano, Switzerland makes for a perfect side adventure while visiting Northern Italy. The two destinations are connected by a scenic 50 mile drive full of gorgeous mountain vistas, quaint villages, and sparkling lakes. Exploring the contrast of stunning Lake Como against the lively Swiss city of Lugano offers exciting diversity in landscapes, cultures, architecture, food and more in just one day.
Contents
- 1 Transportation from Lake Como to Lugano Day Trip
- 2 Top Attractions and Destinations to Visit
- 3 Dining Recommendations and Cuisine Differences
- 4 Getting to Lake Como from Switzerland
- 5 Tips for Smooth Day Trip Between Lake Como and Lugano
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Day Tripping from Lake Como to Lugano:
- 6.1 What is the best way to get from Lake Como to Lugano?
- 6.2 How far is Lake Como from Lugano?
- 6.3 Is Lake Lugano worth visiting from Lake Como?
- 6.4 Do you need a passport going between Italy and Switzerland?
- 6.5 Can I see Bellagio and Lugano both in one day trip?
- 6.6 Is it cheaper to visit Lugano from Italy?
- 7 Conclusion
Transportation from Lake Como to Lugano Day Trip
The most straightforward and flexible way to travel between Lake Como and Lugano is by car. Whether renting a car or hiring a private driver, traveling by road allows you to stop as desired as well as manage your own Lake Como to Lugano itinerary. Here are key transportation options for day tripping between destinations:
Rental Car
Renting a car provides independence and ability to make spontaneous stops. Expect to pay around $50-100 USD per day for a economy rental car, more for larger vehicles or luxury brands. Be sure your rental agreement allows crossing borders.
Private Driver
Hiring a private driver for Lake Como pickup and Lugano transfers averages $100-150 USD each way, usually with about a 3 hour time allowance in Lugano itself. This allows relaxation enroute with commentary. Discuss multiple stop flexibility before booking.
Public Buses
Regional buses like ASF Autolinee make the Lake Como to Lugano route daily, usually with a change required in Menaggio. This affordable option limits flexibility. One way bus ticket prices start around $5 USD per person. Total trip time averages 2+ hours.
Train and Bus Combination
Another option is taking the local Ferrovie Nord Como to Varese train then switching to a cross border Autopostale bus to complete the journey to Lugano. This costs about $15-25 USD each way but requires coordinating stations.
| Transportation Type | Price (one way) | Duration | Key Considerations |
| Rental Car | $50+ USD | 1.5 hour drive | Stops as desired |
| Private Driver | $100+ USD | 1.5+ hours | Personalized trip |
| Public Bus | $5+ USD | 2+ hours | Transfers required |
| Train + Bus | $15+ USD | 2-3 hours | Coordinate stations |
No matter how you choose to travel, be sure to have valid ID on hand when crossing between Italy and Switzerland. Depending on citizenship, showing passport or national ID cards at border controls is essential.
Top Attractions and Destinations to Visit
While Lugano makes the focal point of this Lake Como day adventure, spending time enjoying attractions around Lake Como both before and after is key as well. Here are top sites to see in each location:
Lake Como Attractions
- Villa Carlotta – Stunning Italian garden villa with art-filled lake views
- Villa del Balbianello – Prominent movie set location with intricate architecture
- Villa Melzi Gardens – Elegant gardens overlooking Lake Como
- Bellagio – Postcard-perfect lakeside town with highend shopping and cafes
- Varenna – Charming village with lakeside promenade and winding alleyways
- Menaggio – Lively town and departure point for many Lugano ferries and buses
Lugano Attractions
- Via Nassa – Lugano’s main pedestrian thoroughfare filled with high-end shops and boutiques
- Lakeside Promenades – Relaxing lakefront walking paths with striking views
- Heritage Trail – Historical city tour spotting top architectural and cultural sights
- Monte Brè Funicular – Panorama atop hill reached by funicular tram with restaurants
- San Lorenzo Cathedral – Imposing Catholic church with Renaissance art
- MASI Museum – Switzerland’s fine art and design collections from 19th-21st centuries
Planning two to three hours in Lugano itself allows you to see some main attractions and wander lakeside neighborhoods at an unrushed pace. Add in time enroute for bonus Lake Como sightseeing as desired!
Quick Lake Como Day Trip Itinerary
Here is a recommended 7 hour timeline to maximize the key highlights when day tripping roundtrip between Lake Como and Lugano:
8:00 am – Leave Menaggio 10:00 am – Arrive Lugano; walk Via Nassa shopping street
11:30 am – Lakeside promenade and Heritage Trail walking tour 1:00 pm – Funicular and lunch up Monte Brè
3:00 pm -Browse shops and sights around Piazza Rezzonico 4:00 pm – Return towards Lake Como 4:30 pm – Stop at Villa Carlotta gardens 6:00 pm – Bellagio wandering before dinner 8:00 pm – Return to home base
This allows you adequate time to admire beautiful Lugano and soak up scenic Lake Como bookending the focal Swiss excursion.
Dining Recommendations and Cuisine Differences
One benefit of traveling between Lake Como, Italy and Lugano, Switzerland is getting to sample the contrasts of Northern Italian food and Swiss cuisine all in one day. Here are dining distinctions and top meal options to try in each place:
Lake Como Cuisine
Pasta, risotto, osso buco veal shanks, and polenta shine when eating around Lake Como and greater Lombardy. The rich dairy and meat dishes reflect the cold alpine climate and provincial traditions of the region. Even the seafood pasta and lake fish incorporate creamy sauces and hearty ingredients like mushrooms or truffles. Save room for sweets like intricate cake layers and tiramisu.
Top Lake Como Restaurants
- Silvio, Varenna
- La Baia, Bellagio
- La Tirlindana, Sala Comacina
- Locanda dell’Isola Comacina
Lugano Food
Swiss cuisine means indulging in cheese, chocolate, breads and cured meats. Fondue and raclette sharing plates that melt cheese over veggies, potatoes and pickled items are must-try dishes. Beyond the dairy, Swiss restaurants also serve freshwater fish from lakes, schnitzels, sausages, rosti potato pancakes and dried meat like bündnerfleisch.
Top Lugano Restaurants
- Osteria Trani
- Bottega dei Sapori
- La Tinèra
- Al Porto
For lighter eats and snacks during your Lake Como and Lugano adventures, enjoy Italy’s pizza al taglio, focaccia, paninis, and masterful gelato whenever hunger strikes!
Getting to Lake Como from Switzerland
Though this Lake Como and Lugano guide focuses on the day trip heading from Italy specifically into Switzerland, many visitors also end up visiting Lake Como after already spending time elsewhere in Switzerland. Getting to Lake Como after visiting Lugano, Zurich, Geneva or other Swiss cities has multiple easy transportation options:
Train
Lugano, Lucerne and other Swiss locations have direct hourly train service to Como San Giovanni station, taking just 1-2 hours with tickets costing $20-50 USD each way depending on routing. From Como train station you can take local buses, taxis or ferries onward around Lake Como itself.
Rental Car
Driving from anywhere in Switzerland over the border to Italy via tunnels through the Alps only takes about 1-3 hours pending where you start. Valid international drivers license required. One way rental car drop fees may apply depending on company policies.
Bus
Multiple Swiss and Italian bus lines like FlixBus provide daily routes between popular Swiss cities to Lake Como with durations of 2.5 to 4.5 hours per trip. Prices range $10-30 USD each way. Some routes involve transfers so review ahead.
No matter which direction you’re starting from, crossing between Switzerland’s Lugano and Italy’s stunning Lake Como areas lets globetrotters enjoy alpine splendor and Mediterranean elegance all in one adventure-packed day!
Tips for Smooth Day Trip Between Lake Como and Lugano
A little preparation goes a long way when trying to make the most of your quick Lake Como to Lugano day journey:
- Check border policy documents needed to avoid delays
- Load up devices and offline maps to avoid roaming surprises
- Pack light with just essentials to avoid overloaded luggage
- Reserve funicular, restaurant, museum tickets ahead when possible
- Take motion sickness medication if winding hillside drives might trigger issues
- Bring both sun protection and layers to account for fast weather changes
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as most sightseeing requires being on foot
- Have some small Euro bills/change rather than depending solely on cards
- Photograph travel documents/confirmation numbers in case wifi unavailable
- Download translator apps if unfamiliar with Italian/Swiss languages
- Budget buffer time for possible traffic/parking issues or other unexpected delays
Remaining flexible, yet structured with a thought-out Lake Como to Lugano timeline makes striking the ideal sightseeing balance more seamless so you can simply soak up the glorious scenery!
Frequently Asked Questions About Day Tripping from Lake Como to Lugano:
What is the best way to get from Lake Como to Lugano?
Renting a car allows the most freedom and flexibility to make the Lake Como to Lugano drive yourself on your own comfortable timeline with ability to stop as desired along the beautiful route.
How far is Lake Como from Lugano?
The driving distance between Lake Como, Italy and Lugano, Switzerland spans about 50 miles (80 km). By car, expect a journey of just over 1.5 hours. Trains/buses add 30-60 minutes.
Is Lake Lugano worth visiting from Lake Como?
Absolutely! The culture shift from Italy to Switzerland combined with getting to admire two stunning lakes and mountain terrain makes a day trip linking Lake Como and Lugano an incredible two-country adventure.
Do you need a passport going between Italy and Switzerland?
Italy and Switzerland are both part of Europe’s Schengen Area open borders agreement. While passport is not mandatory, having valid ID like passports or national ID cards is required when crossing borders.
Can I see Bellagio and Lugano both in one day trip?
Trying to visit both picturesque Bellagio village on Lake Como AND Lugano, Switzerland in one day makes for a very rushed schedule. Better to prioritize either Bellagio or Lugano if limited to a day between the two locales.
Is it cheaper to visit Lugano from Italy?
Not necessarily. Both Italy and Switzerland are expensive European destinations. Prices between Lake Como and Lugano for things like shopping, food, and attractions may differ slightly but remain on par overall. Biggest savings in Lugano for Italians may come from purchasing certain imported goods.
Conclusion
A well-planned Lake Como to Lugano day trip itinerary lets you revel in beautiful landscapes and charming villages along Italy’s Lake Como before crossing borders for an afternoon of Swiss sights, sounds, and experiences in contrasting Lugano.
Admire ornate villas and lush gardens, soak up captivating lakeside panoramas, indulge in regional Italian and Swiss cuisines, ride the Monte Brè funicular high above glittering Lugano, and ultimately appreciate both unique destinations all within about 8-10 magical hours.
Signing off from lovely Lake Como and lively Lugano after this whirlwind two-country adventure!