Como
Como lies 352 km from Geneva Airport, a drive of about four hours that crosses the Alps and the border into Italy before dropping down to the southern tip of Lake Como. If you would rather not juggle several trains with luggage, AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you from the arrivals hall straight to your hotel or villa in one go.
- Distance from GVA: 352 km by road
- Drive time: around 4 hours, depending on the alpine route and traffic
- Border crossing: the route crosses from Switzerland into Italy
- Best for: lake holidays, weekend breaks, weddings and a base for boat trips
- Getting there: private car door to door, or train with several changes
Getting from Geneva Airport to Como
There is no direct train between Geneva and Como, so most rail journeys involve at least two changes, usually via Milan or via Ticino. That is manageable with a light bag, but less so after a long-haul flight with suitcases, children or golf clubs. By road, the chauffeur chooses the alpine crossing according to the season and traffic on the day: the routes run either through the Valais and over the Simplon, or through the Mont Blanc or Great St Bernard tunnels into the Aosta Valley and across the Lombard plain. Whichever way you go, the scenery changes from Lake Geneva vineyards to high mountain passes and finally to the palm trees and Liberty-style villas of the Italian lakes.
Four hours is long enough to plan a short stop for coffee or lunch on the way. Tell your chauffeur at the start of the trip and they will suggest a convenient point, usually once you are over the Alps. In winter, the mountain sections may be slower, so allow a little extra time if you have a dinner reservation on arrival.
What Como is known for
Como is a compact city at the very bottom of the western branch of the lake, wrapped by hills on three sides. Its walled old town, laid out on a Roman grid, is easy to explore on foot: the cathedral, the Duomo di Como, combines Gothic and Renaissance work in pale marble, and beside it stands the striped Broletto, the medieval town hall. Narrow lanes lead to small squares lined with cafes and silk shops, a reminder that Como built its wealth on silk weaving and is still associated with fine textiles.
The lakefront is where the city opens up. A promenade runs west past the Tempio Voltiano, a small neoclassical museum dedicated to Alessandro Volta, the physicist born here who gave his name to the volt. Further along, the gardens of Villa Olmo make a pleasant walk. Architecture enthusiasts come to see the rationalist buildings of the 1930s, notably Giuseppe Terragni's Casa del Fascio, a key work of Italian modernism. For a view over the whole basin, the funicular from the lakeshore climbs to the village of Brunate, where paths continue along the ridge.
Where to stay in Como
Visitors usually choose between three settings. Inside the old town walls you are close to restaurants, shops and the ferry piers, and you can do without a car entirely. Along the lakeshore just outside the centre, larger hotels and residences offer water views while remaining a short walk from the cathedral. Further up the shores, in villages such as Cernobbio, Moltrasio or Blevio, the atmosphere is quieter and more residential, with villas and rental homes reached by narrow lakeside roads. If you are staying in one of these, a door-to-door transfer saves you the final taxi hunt from the station.
Como also works for business visitors. The city is home to textile and design companies, and its proximity to Milan makes it a calm place to stay during trade fairs or meetings in the Lombard capital, with the lake as a contrast to long days indoors.
Day trips by boat and road
The ferries are the classic way to discover the lake. From Como's main pier, boats head north to Bellagio, Tremezzo, Menaggio and Varenna, stopping at small villages along the way. A hydrofoil is quicker; the slower ferry gives you more time to look at the villas and gardens lining the shore. Many visitors spend a full day hopping between villages and returning in the evening light.
On land, Lugano in Ticino is close by across the Swiss border, and Milan is easy to reach for a day of museums, shopping or the cathedral. Bergamo's upper town and the Brianza hills are also within reach. If you prefer to visit several places without worrying about connections, a chauffeur by the hour (minimum two hours) can take you on a tailored loop and wait while you explore.
Practical tips for your stay
- Summer weekends are busy on the lake roads; boats are often quicker than cars between villages.
- Spring and early autumn bring mild weather, flowering gardens and fewer crowds.
- Parking in the historic centre is restricted, another reason many visitors arrive without a rental car.
- Comfortable shoes help: the old town is flat, but lakeside villages are often steep.
Booking your transfer from Geneva Airport to Como
With AirportsTransfers.ch, you see the fixed price for your vehicle before you pay, and you settle it securely online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur tracks your flight, waits in arrivals with a name sign and includes waiting time if the plane lands late. Choose a Mercedes E-Class for up to three passengers, an S-Class for extra comfort, a V-Class van for families or groups of up to seven with plenty of luggage, or a Sprinter minibus for larger parties. Child seats are available on request, and any skis or bulky sports equipment should be declared when you book. For questions or last-minute requests, call or message +41 78 346 56 77 on WhatsApp. Return trips to Geneva can be booked at the same time.
