Milan Malpensa to Como Distance
Milan Malpensa Airport to Como is a genuinely convenient route — Malpensa sits northwest of Milan, already on the way to the lake, so this transfer is often quicker than heading into the city first. It covers about 52 km by road.
This page compares driving and train options, since both are realistic choices for this specific route.
Straight-Line
approx. 35 km (about 22 miles)
Driving Distance
approx. 52 km (about 32 miles)
42–60 minutes
Train Journey
approx. 1 hour 15 minutes on the fastest service (one change); around 2 hours on average with more stops
Malpensa sits northwest of Milan, already closer to Lake Como than the city centre is — one reason this is a popular direct airport-to-lake route.
City-Centre vs. Door-to-Door Distance
The figures above are to Como town. If you're headed further up the lake — Bellagio or Varenna, for example — expect meaningfully more time; this page covers the Malpensa-to-Como leg specifically.
By Car
Driving from Malpensa to Como covers about 52 km via the A8/A9 motorways and typically takes 42 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic around the airport and approaching Como.
By Train
Train options exist but require at least one change; the fastest journeys take around 1 hour 15 minutes, while the average, including less convenient connections, is closer to 2 hours. For a direct airport arrival with luggage, this makes driving or a private transfer noticeably more convenient than the rail option on this specific route.
By Private Transfer
A private transfer takes you directly from the Malpensa arrivals hall to your Como hotel with no station change, which matters more here than on many routes given the train's need for a connection.
For pricing and booking, see our dedicated Milan Malpensa to Como taxi transfer page.
What Affects Travel Time
- Traffic around Malpensa and on the approach into Como.
- For train travel, the connection time at the changeover station.
- Which part of the lake you're ultimately headed to — this page covers Como town specifically.
Which Way Should You Choose?
For a direct arrival with luggage, driving or a private transfer is generally more convenient than the train on this route, since the train requires a change and the road route is short and fairly direct.
Common Questions