Trains · Italy

Como to Milan Train Guide: Delays, Connections, and Real Station Tips

Which Como station to leave from, how much buffer a Trenord connection really needs, and what the departure boards will not tell you.

Personally verified · October 2024

Como San Giovanni vs Como Lago: The Station Showdown

The Two Stations Explained

Como has two main train stations, and understanding the difference is crucial:

Como San Giovanni:

Como Lago (also called Como Nord Lago):

Why You’ll Probably Use Como San Giovanni

Unless you specifically need to go to Milano Cadorna, you’ll be using Como San Giovanni for your Milan connection. This is the station that connects to Milano Centrale, which is the main hub for:

The problem? Como San Giovanni is the less pleasant of the two stations.

The Como San Giovanni Experience

Let me paint you a picture of what “less pleasant” means:

What I found:

Compare this to Como Lago, which feels like a charming boutique station with its lakeside location and easier access, and you understand why travelers are often disappointed with San Giovanni.

But unless you want to add an extra transfer to your journey (Como Lago to Milano Cadorna, then metro to Centrale), you’re stuck with San Giovanni.

The Trenord Delay Reality

My 20-Minute Delay (The “Normal” Experience)

I boarded my Trenord train from Como San Giovanni to Milano Centrale expecting the scheduled 35-minute journey. I had planned a 1.5-hour buffer before my next connection, which seemed generous at the time.

The train was delayed 20 minutes.

Not because of some catastrophic failure. Not because of emergency maintenance. Just… delayed. No announcement, no explanation, just 20 minutes of standing on the platform wondering if the train would ever arrive.

Why Trenord Delays Are So Common

After talking to locals and doing research, I learned that Trenord delays aren’t the exception. They’re the norm. Here’s why:

  1. Aging infrastructure: The regional rail system needs significant investment
  2. Signal problems: Frequent technical issues on the Milano-Como line
  3. Understaffing: Not enough personnel to keep services running smoothly
  4. Shared tracks: Multiple train services compete for the same infrastructure
  5. Weather sensitivity: Even moderate weather causes disruptions

One Italian commuter I talked to laughed when I mentioned my 20-minute delay. “That’s nothing,” he said. “Last week I waited 45 minutes.”

What “Highly Unreliable” Actually Means

When I say Trenord is “highly unreliable,” here’s what that means in practical terms:

The frustrating part isn’t just the delays themselves. It’s the lack of communication. Announcements are in Italian, the boards don’t always update, and you’re left guessing whether to wait or find an alternative.

The 1.5 Hour Buffer: Why It’s Barely Enough

Breaking Down the Timeline

Let me walk you through why a 1.5-hour buffer at Milano Centrale is the absolute minimum, not a comfortable cushion:

Scheduled journey: 35 minutes Como to Milano

Trenord delay: +20 minutes (in my case, could be more)

Total travel time: 55 minutes

Arriving at Milano Centrale:

Buffer remaining: 1.5 hours – 55 minutes – 20 minutes = 7 minutes

Seven minutes. That’s how much cushion I had left after a “typical” delay and normal station navigation.

If my train had been delayed 30 minutes instead of 20? I would have been stressed and rushing. 45 minutes? I would have missed my connection entirely.

The Stressed Travelers I Saw

I wasn’t the only one doing these mental calculations on the train. Around me, I could see other travelers:

One couple next to me had a flight from Malpensa. They had planned a 1-hour buffer. The 20-minute delay meant they arrived at Milano Centrale with 40 minutes before their Malpensa train, barely enough time to navigate the station and get to the platform.

They were visibly stressed the entire journey, running through the station when we finally arrived.

My Recommendation: 2-Hour Minimum

Based on my experience, here’s my buffer recommendation:

For onward train connections: 1.5 hours minimum, 2 hours comfortable

For airport connections: 2.5-3 hours minimum

For international connections (flights, etc.): 3-4 hours

This sounds excessive until you’ve experienced a Trenord delay while trying to catch a flight.

Milano Centrale: The Navigation Challenge

It’s HUGE (And That’s Not Hyperbole)

Milano Centrale is one of Europe’s largest train stations. “Large” doesn’t quite capture it. This station is massive.

When you arrive from Como:

  1. Your train pulls into one of 24 platforms
  2. You need to exit the platform (escalators or stairs)
  3. Navigate through the main hall (it’s enormous)
  4. Find your next platform or exit
  5. Deal with crowds, luggage, and signage in Italian

Time this takes: 10-15 minutes minimum, even if you know where you’re going.

First time at Milano Centrale? Add another 5-10 minutes for getting lost, checking maps, and figuring out the layout.

The Left Exit Food Situation

If you exit Milano Centrale on the left side (Piazza Luigi di Savoia), your food options are limited and expensive:

What’s available:

The Five Guys reality:

I ended up at Five Guys because I needed food quickly and didn’t have time to explore better options. Was it worth €16? Not really. Did I have better choices with my time constraints? Not many.

Navigation Tips for Como Arrivals

When your train arrives at Milano Centrale from Como:

  1. Note your platform number immediately: You’ll need this if you’re meeting someone
  2. Follow “Uscita” (Exit) signs: They’re in white and blue
  3. Main hall is your landmark: Get to the central hall, then orient yourself
  4. Look up: Departure boards are suspended from the ceiling
  5. Allow 15 minutes: Don’t assume you’ll navigate faster

If you’re catching the Malpensa train:

If you’re meeting someone or taking a bus:

Practical Survival Strategies

Before You Book

  1. Download the Trenord app: It’s clunky but shows real-time delays
  2. Screenshot your ticket: Apps crash at inconvenient times
  3. Save Milano Centrale map: Google Maps offline mode is your friend
  4. Build in that buffer: 1.5 hours minimum, more if you have important connections
  5. Buy tickets on the app: Easier for refunds if things go wrong

On the Train

  1. Watch the delay status: It can change during the journey
  2. Don’t panic if delayed: Trenord delays are normal
  3. Recalculate your timeline: Mental math for your buffer time
  4. Prepare to navigate quickly: Have your bags organized before arrival
  5. Know your next step: Platform number, exit location, etc.

At Milano Centrale

  1. Move with purpose: Don’t stop in the middle of crowds to check your phone
  2. Watch for pickpockets: They target distracted, luggage-laden tourists
  3. Use the escalators: Stairs with luggage is miserable
  4. Check boards frequently: Platform assignments change
  5. Ask for help if lost: Station staff are usually helpful if you find them

If Your Connection Is Tight

  1. Don’t stop for food: Your connection is more important
  2. Consider a taxi vs waiting for the next train: Sometimes worth it
  3. Call ahead if possible: Airlines, hotels, whoever is expecting you
  4. Document the delay: Photo of the delay board for insurance claims
  5. Have a backup plan: Know the next available connection option

Alternative Routes (When Trenord Fails You)

Como to Milan by Bus

If you absolutely can’t risk Trenord delays:

Como to Milan by Car

If you’re with a group or have significant luggage:

Strategic Planning

For airport connections: Consider staying in Milan the night before your flight rather than rushing from Como the same day. The stress savings alone might be worth the hotel cost.

For flexible travel: If you’re not on a tight schedule, embrace the Trenord chaos. Delays are frustrating but manageable when you have time.

FAQ Section

Q: Is Como San Giovanni hard to find from Como town center?

A: It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from the lake area, or you can take a local bus. Como Lago is right on the waterfront and much easier to reach from tourist areas, but it doesn’t have direct trains to Milano Centrale.

Q: Can I buy Trenord tickets at the station?

A: Yes, there are ticket machines and a ticket office at Como San Giovanni. However, I recommend buying through the mobile app for easier refunds and digital convenience. The machines often have lines, and the interface is primarily in Italian.

Q: What happens if I miss my connection at Milano Centrale due to Trenord delay?

A: If you have a through-ticket (one booking for both legs), Trenord should help you get on the next available service. If you bought separate tickets, you’re generally on your own. This is why buffer time is so critical.

Q: Are there luggage storage options at Como San Giovanni?

A: Limited. There’s a small luggage storage service, but it’s not always staffed. Como Lago has better facilities for tourists. Plan to keep your luggage with you on the train.

Q: Is Trenord ever on time?

A: Yes, sometimes! But you can’t count on it. Think of on-time arrival as a pleasant surprise rather than an expectation.

Q: Should I book a specific train time or just buy an open ticket?

A: Trenord regional tickets are typically valid for any train on the route within a certain time period, so you have some flexibility. Check your ticket terms. This flexibility can be helpful if you see your train is delayed and another is leaving sooner.

Bottom Line: Como to Milan Reality Check

What Nobody Tells You

Travel blogs and guidebooks make the Como to Milan train journey sound simple: “Just hop on a train, 40 minutes, and you’re there!”

The reality includes:

Is It Still Worth It?

Despite all these challenges, yes. Lake Como to Milan is absolutely worth doing. Como is beautiful, Milan has incredible culture and history, and the train connection makes it feasible to see both.

You just need to plan realistically.

Your Como to Milan Checklist

Final Thought

That stressed couple I mentioned, rushing through Milano Centrale after the 20-minute delay? I saw them later at the Malpensa platform. They made it. Barely, but they made it.

You will too.

Just build in that buffer time, embrace the chaos of Italian regional trains, and remember: the journey is part of the adventure, even when that adventure involves unexpected stairs, delayed trains, and expensive Five Guys burgers.

Last Updated: November 2025

Author Experience: Personal travel experience, October 2024

Have tips for the Como to Milan train journey? Share your Trenord delay stories and survival strategies in the comments.