What lake is between Milan and Switzerland?

Just an hour north of Milan lie the stunning twin alpine lakes of Como (in Italy) and Lugano (across the border in Switzerland).



The primary lake that straddles the border between Italy (near Milan) and Switzerland is Lake Lugano (Lago di Lugano). While Lake Como is closer to Milan and Lake Maggiore also sits on the border, Lake Lugano is uniquely "entwined" with both countries, with about 63% of its surface in Switzerland and 37% in Italy. The lake is famous for its "glacial" finger-like shape and the stunning town of Lugano on the Swiss side, which is a major financial hub. Another significant lake in this region is Lake Maggiore, which is the second-largest in Italy; its northern tip reaches into the Swiss canton of Ticino (specifically the town of Locarno), while its southern shores are easily accessible from Milan via a one-hour train ride. For travelers in 2026, these lakes are often visited as part of the "Grand Tour of Switzerland" or as day trips from Milan. Lake Lugano, in particular, offers a unique blend of Italian "dolce vita" culture and Swiss efficiency, making it a favorite for those who want to experience two countries in a single afternoon boat ride.

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Lake Lugano lies across the Italian-Swiss border, where lakeside villages back onto the surrounding mountains, including the World Heritage Site, Monte San Giorgio.

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The simplest way to get from Italy to Switzerland is by train although driving is fine too. I bought a $23 train ticket from raileurope.com to go from Lake Como to Lugano and the ride was a breeze. While my ride took exactly 39 minuets, the quickest route is 25 minutes.

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Interlaken, Switzerland Interlaken is the jump-off point to the Swiss Alps' outdoor and adventure spots. From Milano Centrale, the journey to Interlaken by train involves one train transfer at Spiez. The travel time is 3-4 hours, depending on the type of train.

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Beautiful Lake Como is just a short trip from Milan. From Milan, on the other hand, it's an hour to the southernmost tip of Lake Como, by either car or train. (There, the train station you want is either Como Lago or Como San Giovanni, depending on where on the lake you're going).

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Many artist and poet of all ages fell in love for its amiable atmosphere and beauty. A day trip to the beautiful Lake Como departing from Milan, to explore this area surrounded by mountain peaks! Take the opportunity to depart for a leisurely - tour cruise on the lake Como to reach the charming village of Bellagio.

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The distance between Como lake and Milan Central is 46km. The Trenord train service of the Milano - Saronno - Como lake railway line connects Milan to Como lake in about 60 minutes. From Como Lake first train departs at 5:16, the last one at 22:16. From Milan the first train departs at 5:43, th last one at 22:43.

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This route isn't now as scenic as it was until recently because between Lugano and Belliznona these trains on the Milano to Zurich route now travel through the Ceneri Base Tunnel.

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The area around Lake Como has a rich historical heritage. It was a popular retreat for Roman aristocrats and later served as a place of inspiration for writers, poets, and philosophers. The region's history and culture have left their mark on the architecture, art, and traditions of the area.

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Bellagio. A highlight of any trip to the shores of Lake Como is a day (or two, or three) in Bellagio. Set conveniently between the two southernmost branches of the lake, the town is made up of steep winding paths where pastel-hued houses provide peripheral pops of color.

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