Lake Como Ferry System
Lake Como Ferry System features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Lake Como Region. Give it roughly ~180 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type landmark
- Suggested visit ~180 min
- Lake Como Region Lake Como Region guide
About Lake Como Ferry System
The Lake Como ferry network, operated by Navigazione Laghi since the 19th century, is the essential transport connection between the lake's villages, running regular passenger ferries, hydrofoils, and triangular car ferries across the 46-kilometre length of the lake.
The Lake Como ferry system, operated by Navigazione Laghi, the public company that also runs the ferry services on Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda, is the lifeblood of the lake communities and the most practical and beautiful way for visitors to explore the lake. The network includes slow passenger steamers (battelli) that make all stops along both shores, faster passenger hydrofoils (aliscafi) that connect the main villages in 30-40 minutes rather than an hour, and the all-important triangular car ferry (traghetto) that runs between Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, allowing residents and visitors to cross the central lake without driving the full circuit around either arm. The traghetto takes about 15 minutes between any two of the three central villages. Lake Como is 46 kilometres long and shaped like an inverted Y, which means that driving from one shore to the other at the central lake requires either the 10km traghetto crossing or a 50km+ drive around the northern end. The ferry system makes the lake navigable in a way that no road network could replicate.
Did you know? Lake Como is 46 kilometres long and shaped like an inverted Y, this means that if you want to cross from Varenna on the eastern shore to Bellagio directly opposite, you can take the 15-minute ferry, or drive 50+ kilometres around the northern end of the Lecco arm.
How long is a visit to Lake Como Ferry System?
Set aside roughly ~180 min for Lake Como Ferry System. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Lake Como Ferry System worth your time?
Lake Como Ferry System is among the 12 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Lake Como Region, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Lake Como Region
Hear the story of Lake Como Ferry System
Preview the Lake Como Region tour free in the Gingerguide app.