Taylor Swift Recent romantic trips Travis Kelce The beauty of Lake Como has all the girls ready to pack their bags and head off to Italy. This destination has always been popular, but it looks like it's only going to get more popular than it already is. As someone who was there at the same time as her, I can tell you it really is one of the most amazing places on earth.
Lake Como in Italy is known for its stunning views of the lake and picturesque mountains. Not only is it beautiful, but it also has great food, culture, people, castles… really, it's everywhere! Although there's no shortage of beautiful scenery, finding affordable accommodation in Lake Como can be deceptively difficult.
I spent 8 days traveling around Lake Como and learned a lot about what to do and what I should have done, but one thing is for sure: I was determined to get the best experience for my money while I was there. Beach Bags and Mini Dress So you're all set, you've got all the insider information on how to enjoy one of Italy's most expensive cities on a budget.
How to get cheap flights to Lake Como
Photo by Kayla Walden
Lake Como is about an hour north of Milan, so planning how to get there can be a little tricky. You'll probably end up flying into Milan, but I don't recommend flying directly from the US to Milan. In my experience, flying from the US to either of Milan's airports is just too expensive. Paris Take the CDG or ORY EasyJet To Milan.
On the first flightNorwegianDirect flights to the City of Light are offered by the airline, and although there are charges for baggage and meals, they are much cheaper than other airlines. A round-trip ticket from LAX to CDG was only $500, so I highly recommend it. French Bee It's a great airline that I love to fly with. The prices are a little on the higher side, but I'm glad they include meals.
Then, spend a few days in Paris or go directly to EasyJetA flight to Milan is literally about $50. It's incredibly cheap (especially if you book in advance) and just over an hour from Paris. I've flown Easy Jet probably 10+ times in the past 2 years and it's super reliable and easy. It's faster than the train and honestly sometimes cheaper, so I use Easy Jet whenever I'm traveling around Europe. The only thing to be aware of is… delayTheir flights are often delayed so prepare for this in advance and avoid booking directly after their flight.
Booking a car rental to Lake Como
Photo by Kayla Walden
Once you arrive in Milan, you need to travel to Como, which you can do by train or Uber (I recommend the EU companies). bolt If you are going to do this, you are better off renting a car or taking your own. We chose to rent a car as it is incredibly cheap in Italy as insurance is included with the rental car.
I rented a car (literally the most basic, cheapest thing) for 8 days for the amazing price of $7 a day with insurance included…I'm not kidding. So over a week the rental cost was $120 including all fees. For me it was well worth it to be able to get around the lake freely and not have to rely solely on the ferry! I rented a car. HertzBut I would also recommend Sixt If you're looking for another option!
Don't rent a car from small, local companies like Europecar or from companies with bad reviews – 9 times out of 10, it's a total tourist scam. Reputable companies like Hertz or Sixt are definitely a better choice as they are trustworthy, have international connections and a proven track record. Also, check their sites for deals, as they often have discount sales in the summer. I checked the Hertz website and they offered me 30% off the price of my trip. Yay!
Cheap accommodation in Lake Como
Photo by Kayla Walden
I split my stays abroad into two parts: half in Airbnb and the other half in nicer accommodation. HotelI'm doing this because I saved a ton of money on cheap flights and wanted to splurge a little on accommodation. If you want to save on hotels, I recommend splitting your trip into two parts and staying in different Airbnbs. Many places in and around Lake Como don't have the cleaning fees we're used to in the US, so it's very affordable. I recommend staying on the north side of the lake for the first half of your trip, so you can explore more of the cities around the lake. The second half should be on the south side, closer to Como city.
Once you have decided on your accommodation, when you arrive in Italy, head straight from Milan to your Airbnb. We recommend staying in Lenno. Prime It has everything you need. If you don't have a car, make sure you're within walking distance to the ferry. You'll travel by ferry. To be honest, even though I had a car, I would have taken the ferry almost every day to get across the lake. This place is Star Wars It's a must-see for fans, as it's located right next to the famous Villa Balbianello, the villa from the previous film. This attraction is not to be missed, but make sure you buy your tickets in advance.
Lenno's ferry dock offers easy access to all the major cities in the region. We recommend taking the ferry to Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna or Tremezzo, which has many great attractions, including the Grand Hotel Tremezzo (also a must-see), but is very expensive to stay in. Taylor Swift has stayed nearby and happened to drive past her villa while she was vacationing in Italy. Luckily, staying in Lenno puts you close enough to these luxury destinations without paying pop-star prices.
Spend a few days here (Lenno) (preferably by the lake) and explore the local spots. Most of the restaurants here offer incredibly affordable food and drinks. I found daily coffee for 2 euros in most places and many of the meals were under 10 euros! It's my favorite city I've ever stayed in! Pictured above is the Airbnb I stayed in in Lenno for about $180 a night and it was right by the lake!
After a few days here you'll want to head further south. I stayed in a nice hotel in Cernobbio, a very charming town, but you can stay in any Airbnb nearby. If you want more city views I recommend Cernobbio, Lario, Moltrasio or Como City. I loved Cernobbio because it's a very quiet town after the busy tourist areas north of the lake.
Budget hotels Lake Como
Photo by Kayla Walden
I love hotels, so I'm always keen to splurge and check out the hotels in the area. But if you don't want to pay too much per night, go to the hotel bar and have a drink! The hotels here are literally like castles, so check them out. That way, even if you're a hotel nut like me, you can experience the luxury of a lakeside hotel without paying the high prices.
Here are some of my favorite things about the lake.
All of these are great with amazing views! Another hotel I visited had great food and views but was under $400 a night. Hotel Villa Relais VittoriaSo if you want a 5-star experience without paying 5-star prices, definitely check it out.
Affordable dining on Lake Como
Photo by Kayla Walden
My biggest advice when looking for cheap and tasty food in Lake Como? Find a quiet town, where the food is affordable! Places like Bellagio and Tremezzo are packed with tourists so the food is a lot more expensive than other areas. But quieter towns like Lenno and Cernobbio have more affordable food without sacrificing flavor! Fill up at the cafes there and then head to the bigger towns for a snack! Pictured above is the truffle pasta I had at a quaint little place in Cernobbio. It was only $14 but it was definitely one of the best pastas I had during my trip!
Final tips for visiting Lake Como on a budget:
Photo by Kayla Walden
weather
Being on the lake is incredible, but the weather can be unpredictable. Take an umbrella, as rain is always a possibility. It can be sunny one minute and stormy the next. Weather apps are often inaccurate, so be prepared.
ferry
The ferry is the cheapest and easiest way to cross the lake, but make sure you buy your tickets as early as possible – sometimes the queues are very long and tickets are unavailable, so be as vigilant as possible and prepare in advance.
Seasonality
The most expensive time to visit Como is June to September, so if you can go before or after then, I recommend going. I went at the end of May, just as summer was starting, and it was still pretty busy, so I can't imagine what it's like in the warmer months of June and July. Plus, accommodation costs are almost double, so if you want to save even more, I'd recommend going in May, September or October.
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Header image by Kayla Walden
