Arriving from Milan by train for a Lake Como boat tour: stations, boarding and return
2 November 2026 · 3 min read
Two rail options, two different Como stations
Many guests reach Lake Como from Milan by train, and the first decision is which line to use. The operator Trenord lists two separate routes: Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni, and Milano Cadorna to Como Lago. They leave from different stations in Milan and arrive at different stations in Como, so the exact names matter when you buy a ticket or ask someone for directions. Pick the Milan station that is easier to reach from where you are staying, then compare both options for your date.
The station is not the boat
Your private tour starts from Como, not from Milan, and arriving at a Como station does not mean you have reached the boat. VABA's usual Como boarding point is the Villa Santa Margherita pier on Viale Geno. Do not assume that the public ferry landing or the nearest quay to the station is where your skipper will be waiting; follow the meeting point confirmed for your booking. Before travelling, look up the route from your arrival station to that pier on a map and give yourself a comfortable personal margin, especially if you are unfamiliar with the town or walking with others. Train tickets and transfers between the station and the pier are not part of the tour unless this has been explicitly agreed.
See the Como boarding information →Build the day around both trains
Check the operator's journey planner and service notices for your exact date, for both the outbound and the return journey, before paying for the tour. Then check tour availability for the same day and compare the two: choose a departure that leaves room after your train arrives, and a return train that leaves room after you step off the boat and walk back to the station. Your rail ticket is a separate arrangement, so a delayed train is not automatically covered by the tour, and the boat cannot be expected to wait. A little slack on both ends keeps the day relaxed.
Comfort and luggage in November
For a November outing, plan for time outdoors on the way to the pier and aboard the boat. Wear layers you can add or remove, a windproof jacket and shoes with good grip, and keep your bag compact. If you need somewhere to leave luggage, ask about it before the day rather than assuming storage is available at the pier or on board. For more on planning a cooler-season outing, see our winter tour page.
Explore the private winter boat tour →An example of a simple plan
If you want to be back in Milan for the evening, a one-hour Como villas tour keeps your time on the water short; leave enough time for both station-to-pier journeys when choosing the departure. With a little more time, the two-hour Villas and Nesso Waterfall tour adds the shoreline towards Torno and Nesso. Once your train options look workable, choose the tour and check the live times on the booking page. If something essential about the meeting point is still unclear, contact us before you pay.
Explore the Como villas one-hour tour →Explore the two-hour Villas and Nesso Waterfall tour →Choose your tour and check times online →Train options checked? Choose your tour and time
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