Region in Piedmont, Italy
Getting around Lake Maggiore
How to get around Lake Maggiore
Stresa has a train station on the Milan line and boat piers; buses link lakeside towns. A car helps for villages but parking is scarce in summer.
Ways to get around Lake Maggiore
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Regional train | About €7–12 to Milan Centrale | Stresa to Milan in about 1–1.25 h; slow but direct |
| Navigazione Laghi ferries | €11 two-island return; €19.50 all islands | Stresa–Isola Bella–Isola Pescatori; circulation ticket adds Isola Madre |
| VCO and local buses | €2–4 | Stresa–Verbania–Baveno; fewer on Sundays and in winter |
| Taxi | About €12–20 for 5 km | Book by phone; few cars, scarce late at night |
Taxis in Lake Maggiore
- No ride-hailing apps operate here. Taxis exist but are scarce; book by phone or via your hotel. Apps like FREENOW rarely operate here.
Arriving in Lake Maggiore
Milan Malpensa (MXP)
Shuttle bus or Malpensa Express plus train to Stresa about 1–1.5 h and €15–25; taxi about €100–140, 45 min.
Milan Linate (LIN)
Metro or bus to Milano Centrale, then regional train to Stresa; about 2 h in total, €10–15.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Vespa rentals are limited; lakeshore roads are narrow and busy in summer. Bikes and e-bikes are better.
- Driving: on the right. EU licences are fine; other foreign licences need an International Driving Permit alongside. Rental firms check it.
- Onward travel in Italy: High-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains link Turin, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples. Regional trains and buses fill gaps; ferries or flights reach Sicily and Sardinia.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Lake Maggiore?
No ride-hailing apps work here. Taxis exist but are scarce; book by phone or via your hotel. Apps like FREENOW rarely operate here.
What's the best way to get around Lake Maggiore?
Stresa has a train station on the Milan line and boat piers; buses link lakeside towns. A car helps for villages but parking is scarce in summer.
How do I get from the airport to Lake Maggiore?
Shuttle bus or Malpensa Express plus train to Stresa about 1–1.5 h and €15–25; taxi about €100–140, 45 min.
Is Lake Maggiore walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Lake Maggiore
Going to Lake Maggiore solo?
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Sources
- Trenitalia
- Italo
- Navigazione Laghi (Lake Maggiore ferries)
- Stresa Tourist Office (Mottarone cable car closed)
- ASL VCO
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.