Lake Como, Italy, is easily one of the most beautiful and most traveled place in Italy! Unfortunately, that makes it incredibly expensive. Why can’t we broke travelers just see the world for free!? So annoying. However, I am here to help you out with affordable Lake Como travel tips! I recently travelled to Lake Como and easily spent 1/5 of what the average Como traveler spends! Here are the best swaps to see the best of Como on a budget!
Swap 1: Don’t Stay in the Tourist Traps!
There are some beautiful hotels in and around Bellagio, Como, and the other major cities, but you will end up paying upwards of 300 euros a night! Unacceptable for a budget traveller! For your affordable Lake Como travel trips, consider staying in Lecco; it’s an area that is not only appealing to the eye, but less crowded and way cheaper!
I stayed in a wonderful bed and breakfast in Suello called Cornizzolo Bed Breakfast right outside of Lecco. It’s right next to a bus stop which makes it an easy and beautiful ride to Lecco and surrounding towns.
Swap 2: Skip the Boat Tour
The best way to see Lake Como and its cities is from the water; that is a non-negotiable fact! However, a private boat tour can cost anywhere between 90-1000 euros! Insanity! Instead of a private boat tour, opt for a ferry. There is a ferry that slowly moves all around Lake Como; you can hop off the ferry at whatever city your heart desires. I only paid 16 euros for a beautiful boat ride from Lecco to Bellagio.
Click here to see more information and book your ticket!
There is also a ticket called a free-circulation ticket that allows you to leave the ferry at certain towns and board a later boat to the next town; it eventually takes you home. I highly recommend this for your affordable Lake Como trip!
Swap 3: Groceries over Eating Out
Italy is famous for its pasta and pizza, but unfortunately, that pasta and pizza will break the bank in a matter of time. Instead of paying for a 30 euro meal, grab some bread, peanut butter, and juice from a local grocery and make a picnic out of it! It’s way more fun to sit on the beach with a nice pb&j anyways. There are also stands that sell huge slices of pizza or paninis for 5 euros or less; in one day in Bellagio, I spent about 8 euros on food. I have my meals laid out below:
- Breakfast: toast and Nutella and coffee at our hostel
- Lunch: 4 euro slice of pizza
- Snack: Nutella sandwich (packed), protein bar (packed), juice box on the beach
- Dinner: rice bowl with veggies (4 euros overall from the grocery!)
Swap 4: Take the Bus
The bus system in Como and the surrounding areas in fairly simple to navigate. They’re also really cheap! The price changed every time we got on the bus, which was crazy, but expect to pay anywhere between 0-5 euros. Get the app Google Maps, plug in where you need to go, and it’ll tell you exactly which bus stop to go to and what bus to get on! You need to have cash. This will save you so much time, frustration, and money. If you get confused, the bus drivers and Italians are very kind and want to help.
Insider Tips
A few final tips I have before you head out!
- Bellagio is a must-visit if you’re visiting Como! If you have extra time, head go Varena to hike to a castle!
- Bring bug spray if you’re planning on being near the water or hiking!
- You can buy bus tickets on the bus, but be sure to have cash.
- The bus stops running around 8:30 p.m., so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get home.
- There’s no Uber.
- Bring a water bottle; there’s lots of water fountains!
One response to “4 Secrets to Experience Lake Como on a Budget”
Love this! Can’t wait to go back to Italy!