Navigation on Lake Como: between History and Everyday Life

Regular navigation on Lake Como began in 1826 when the “Privileged Company for the Steamboat Enterprise in the Lombardy-Veneto Kingdom” put the steamship “Lario” into service. It was the first steam vessel to sail the waters of Lake Como.

Since then, the means of navigation have increased over the years, the service has become widespread for passengers and goods, and the lake has become a fundamental trading basin in our region.

A bit of history

In 1824, the “Società Privilegiata” was founded in Milan to take over the navigation of the Italian lakes. A year later, the first steamboat was launched.

In 1840, a second navigation company was founded on the Lario: the “Società Lariana,” which immediately launched a new steamship, the “Lariano.” However, the Austrians seized the company’s steamships during the War of Independence.

The Società Lariana grew after 1874, thanks to the merger of other companies. It was a period of great tourist influx and, therefore, of prosperity, which led to the creation of a new fleet of steamships.

Between 1903 and 1915, we had a new modernization of the fleet in conjunction with the period of the “Belle Époque.”

During the First World War, the Lariana saw a reduction in steamships, and the recovery was not easy.

Even harder was the recovery of the navigation service after the Second World War, with all the steamships bombed or sunk.

After the war, the “Lariana” was exhausted, but its manager did not lose heart and immediately restarted service with the “Commercio” for goods transport and the “Tremezzina” as a ferry in the center of the lake.

After eliminating the “Lariana”, the Commissarial Management completely modified the fleet by demolishing almost all the steamships, replacing them with modern motor ships, and introducing hydrofoils a few years later. It was then in the 2000s that the fleet expanded and improved further; some old motor ships were decommissioned, new routes, new cruises, and new tourist routes were added, and the flow of tourists increased (apart from the stop due to the pandemic).

Navigation links and services on Lake Como.

Navigation services connect several towns along Lake Como shores, including Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Lenno, Dongo, San Giovanni, Onno, and Lecco, facilitating the transportation of passengers and goods.

Navigation on the lake serves as a means of transportation and has also become a popular tourist attraction. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and historic villas on the shores.

The navigation system is integrated with other forms of public transportation, such as trains and buses, making it easy for residents and tourists to get around. Routes are scheduled to cover different times of the day and seasonally, with peak traffic during the summer, when the lake is exceptionally crowded with visitors.

Lake Navigation: a Public Service Available to Tourists and Residents

Public scheduled navigation on the Lombard Lakes is, in all respects, a local public transport service. Although characterized by a strong seasonality, the service is functional for the mobility of both the lakeside populations and the tourists who spend their holidays on the lakes.

A public scheduled navigation service is active all year round on Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Garda. It is managed by the “Gestione Governativa Navigazione Laghi,” a complete site where trip tickets can be bought.

The scheduled navigation service on Lake Como transports over 2.5 million passengers, using 35 ships for 41 locations.

We recommend downloading the PDF document timetable to get a complete view of the journeys that can be made.

Is it possible to sail on Lake Como with your boat?

To sail on Lake Como, you must observe the Italian laws on navigation, and boats must be equipped with onboard navigation equipment within 1 mile.

But be careful. In a small lake triangle between Menaggio, Varenna, and Bellagio, the distance from the coast exceeds a mile, and the onboard equipment must be within 3 miles.

Furthermore, remember that each Municipality can issue ordinances limiting the navigation of boats or jet skis or the practice of water sports (water skiing/wakeboarding).

News and helpful information about navigation on Lake Como

The “Gestione Navigazione Laghi” has undertaken initiatives to improve the accessibility of its vessels to people with disabilities and reduced mobility. Many vessels have gangways of adequate width and non-slip surfaces to facilitate boarding. In addition, staff have received specific training to assist these passengers.

However, some older vessels may have structural limitations. If passengers with disabilities travel on individual trips, contacting the service in advance is advisable to obtain detailed accessibility information.

One factor that does not satisfy everyone is users’ opinions on punctuality and cleanliness. Some passengers have reported delays and breakdowns, especially during the summer when traffic on the lake is heavier. For example, there have been reports of long queues under the sun, overcrowding on boats during July and August, or frequent breakdowns of hydrofoils, causing uncertainty about arrival times at work.

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Tips for a good travel experience:

Plan ahead: Check the schedules and, if possible, buy tickets in advance.
Arrive early: Show up for boarding with plenty of time, especially during the high tourist season, to avoid long lines.
Be prepared for delays: Consider the possibility of delays or cancellations and have alternative plans, especially if you have important commitments.

Here at Hotel Loveno, we will give you all the information you need for your lake trips or private sightseeing tours, departing either from the small port of Menaggio, where we are located or to and from any other location on our beautiful Lake Como.

In addition to the ferry connections between the villages of Menaggio, Bellagio, and Varenna, which provide an unforgettable experience of the surrounding landscapes, it is also possible to reach Varenna by train from Milan Central Station.

Please note, however, that the Lecco-Tirano railway line will be closed for works from 15 June to 14 September 2025. This will result in a 90-day closure of the train service between Lecco and Tirano.

– Gaia