Lake navigation: boats, ferries and the Day Pass

Lake navigation: fares, passes and reorganization prospects

The navigation network on Italy's lakes, and on Lake Como in particular, presents itself as an intricate system of fares, subscriptions and intermodal connections, according to various outlets specializing in tourism and transport.

Fares on the main routes

According to navigazionelaghi.it, from April 1, 2026 the Como–Urio route will cost 10.40 euros for adults and 5.80 euros for children aged 4 to 11. The same source reports that the Como–Nesso route will cost 16.70 euros for adults and 9.30 euros for children, while for Lecco–Onno the fare listed is 11.00 euros for adults and 5.60 euros for children. Navigazionelaghi.it also notes that round-trip tickets allow intermediate stops between the ports indicated and expire once the passenger returns to the port of departure.

Somewhat older data, but useful for an overall picture, comes from Fabio Grasso's blog, according to which a ticket from Como to Tremezzo costs 10.40 euros (14.80 euros with the fast service), while from Tremezzo to Bellagio the fare is 4.60 euros. The same source notes the existence of Free Circulation Tickets valid for one day (22.30 euros from Como) or six days (45 euros for zone 3).

As for the Varenna–Bellagio crossing, bellagiolakecomo.com reports that it takes 15 minutes and costs 4.60 euros per person, with the ferry running roughly every hour and the boats less frequently. According to the same source, the Como–Bellagio connection takes 45-50 minutes by hydrofoil for 14.80 euros, or two hours by boat for 10.40 euros, with the hydrofoil departing every two hours, more frequently around lunchtime and in the late afternoon.

The day pass and combined offers

Quicomo.it notes that, since summer 2023, a free-circulation day ticket has been available, valid on each of Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda and Lake Como, priced at 60 euros for adults and 30 euros for children aged 6 to 11, with a family offer at 120 euros for two adults and two children up to age 11. The same source reports a 1.50-euro surcharge as a landing fee on the Borromean Islands, collected on behalf of the Municipality of Stresa, and notes that the pilot ticket, trialed in summer 2023, remained usable until October 8 of that year. According to quicomo.it, the three Operations Directors presented the initiative as an attempt to encourage sustainable tourism across the three lakes.

On the intermodality front, trenitalia.com reports that, until September 30, 2026, the partnership between Trenitalia and Navigazione Laghi allows travelers to purchase a day pass combined with a train ticket to Como San Giovanni, Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera del Garda or Stresa. The pass, valid for the whole day but not for fast services, can be used within 3 days of the train journey, according to the same source, which also lists the discounted prices: 21.60 euros instead of 27 for the Lower Garda pass, 23.60 euros instead of 29.50 for the Como–Varenna pass and 19 euros instead of 24 for the Stresa–Intra pass.

Today.it also describes a series of combined train-plus-boat tours: the "First Basin of Como" at 18.50 euros for adults and 9.20 for children aged 4 to 13, "Treasures of Lake Como" (Varenna–Lenno) at 26 euros for adults, 14.50 for children and 52 euros for a family, the "Bellagio Tour" at 29.20 euros for adults, 15.90 for children and 58.40 for a family, and the "First Basin of Lecco Tour" at 17 euros for adults and 9.40 for children. The same outlet notes that "Il Viandante via lago" is offered this year in two versions, valid for one or two consecutive days, at 29 euros and 48 euros respectively, with a 50% discount for visiting Villa Monastero in Varenna; today.it also points out that the Torno stop can only be reached by certain specific runs, as indicated in a notice dated May 31, 2024.

The fleet and reorganization plans

According to Fabio Grasso's blog, the Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi operates around a hundred vessels on Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore; on Lake Como the fleet reportedly includes motorboats, hydrofoils and a vintage paddle steamer, with 43 stops spread across the entire lake and a vehicle ferry connecting Cadenabbia/Menaggio with Varenna and Bellagio. The same source notes that tickets can be purchased online on the Navigazione Laghi website.

A more critical picture emerges from laprovinciadicomo.it's account of a public debate in Griante, where the Navigazione Laghi manager Pietro Marrapodi reportedly described the current routes as outdated, with gaps in service during the day. According to the report, the historic Colico-Como route, covered by the 6:01 a.m. hydrofoil in one hour and 27 minutes, could be replaced by restructured routes such as Colico-Menaggio and Menaggio-Como. Marrapodi reportedly also identified increasing the number of runs as a strategic goal currently unattainable due to staff shortages, while the debut of new vessels expected from February should lead to a reshuffling of runs and schedules. According to the same source, the manager has reportedly commissioned the Politecnico di Milano to review the routes to and from Como, noting that the hydrofoils suffer engine wear linked to the short distances between piers, and calling the decision to introduce catamarans a mistake, as they are considered unsuited to Lake Como. The same outlet finally reports that the hybrid motorboat "Iris" has been in service for a few months.