Malpensa to Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and Lugano

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is closer to the lakes than to Milan: Lake Maggiore is 35 km away, Como 45 km and Lugano across the Swiss border about 60 km, while the city is 50 km in the other direction. Many passengers landing here never see Milan, and a first or last night at an airport hotel fits a lakes trip better than a city hotel does. This guide gives the routes by car, train and bus as of September 2026, and which hotel suits each.

Lake Maggiore: Stresa, Arona and the Borromean Islands

Lake Maggiore is the closest lake, and the airport lies on its side of Milan. By car, Arona at the southern tip is about 30 minutes and Stresa, the base for the Borromean Islands, about 45 minutes via the A26 and the lakeside road; taxis and private transfers charge €80 to €120 for Stresa. By train, take the Malpensa Express one stop to Busto Arsizio Nord, walk about 10 minutes to the Busto Arsizio RFI station (the two stations are separate) and change to a regional train on the Milan to Domodossola line, which calls at Arona, Stresa and Verbania, about 1 hour 15 minutes in all; the TILO S50 to Gallarate, where the same trains call at the one station, or a taxi to Gallarate station also works. From 1 April to 31 October a direct bus runs several times a day between the airport and Stresa for about €14. The Hilton Garden Inn in Somma Lombardo is 20 minutes from Arona and the Crowne Plaza lists the Borromean Islands at 26 km.

Lake Como: Como, Varenna and Bellagio

Como is about an hour by car on the A8 and A9 motorways, and the city and the lower lake are the practical day trip from an airport hotel. By train, take the Malpensa Express to Saronno and change to a Trenord train to Como Lago, in the town centre by the boat piers, for a total of 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on the connection. Varenna, Bellagio and the central lake are reached from Milano Centrale on the Tirano line, so a trip there starts with the Centrale branch of the Malpensa Express, about 52 minutes, and a 1-hour regional train to Varenna-Esino, with a ferry across to Bellagio.

Lugano and Ticino

The TILO S50 is the cross-border regional train that runs from both Malpensa terminals through Gallarate, Varese and Mendrisio to Lugano and Bellinzona, roughly every hour, taking about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes to Lugano. It is the only direct rail link from an Italian airport into Switzerland, so Malpensa serves Lugano as well as Milan. Passports or ID cards are needed for the border, Swiss francs or a card for anything bought after Mendrisio, and the Trenord and SBB apps both sell the ticket. By car, Lugano is about 50 minutes via the A8 and A9 and the Chiasso crossing, with a Swiss motorway vignette required.

Which hotel for a lakes trip

For a late arrival and an early start north, the TRIBE in Vizzola Ticino and the Novotel in Cardano al Campo are on the airport’s western and southern edges with parking and the Ticino park at the door, and the Hilton Garden Inn is already halfway to Lake Maggiore with free parking. For train travellers, the Sheraton inside Terminal 1 puts the S50 and the Malpensa Express under the hotel. The transport guide covers the city direction, and the Malpensa, Linate or Bergamo guide explains why the lakes traveller should choose Malpensa over the other two Milan airports.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from Malpensa to Lake Maggiore?

Stresa and Arona are 35 to 45 km away, 35 to 45 minutes by car or taxi. By train, take the Malpensa Express one stop to Busto Arsizio Nord, walk about 10 minutes to the Busto Arsizio RFI station and change to a Milan to Domodossola regional train for Arona and Stresa, about 1 hour 15 minutes in all; or take the TILO S50 to Gallarate, where the same trains call at the one station, or a taxi to Gallarate station. From April to October a direct bus runs from the airport to Stresa several times a day for about €14.

Is there a direct train from Malpensa to Lugano?

Yes. The TILO S50 cross-border train runs from both Malpensa terminals through Varese and Mendrisio to Lugano and Bellinzona, about every hour, taking roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes to Lugano. Carry a passport or ID card: it crosses into Switzerland.

What is the quickest way from Malpensa to Lake Como?

By car, about an hour to Como on the A8 and A9 motorways. By train, take the Malpensa Express to Saronno and change to a Trenord train to Como Lago, about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on the connection. For Varenna, Bellagio and the central lake, the route runs through Milano Centrale.

Information last verified: September 23, 2026