Top Milan Day Trips

Milan is a short train, bus, or car ride away from striking mountain ranges, picturesque lakes, and some of Italy’s most charming cities. According to traveler reviews, these guided day trips are the best:

• Bernina Express Tour Swiss Alps & St Moritz from Milan
• Milan Bernina Scenic Train Ride on the Swiss Alps. Small-Group
• Lake Como, Lugano, and Swiss Alps. Exclusive Small Group Tour
• Verona and Lake Garda Day Trip from Milan
• Lake Como Beautiful Landscapes

Yes, Milan day trips are worth it. While the city is home to great shopping, vibrant nightlife, and world-famous art and architecture, it also boasts access to beautiful natural scenery and lesser-known destinations. Escape the big city on a convenient day trip to peaceful Lake Como or under-the-radar Cremona.

Guided Milan day trip prices vary based on the destination and itinerary, but you can expect to spend US$100–US$150 for most full-day group tours. The fee typically covers round-trip transportation and activities like walking tours and boat cruises but not food and drinks.

Milan is within a 75-minute train ride of beloved Italian cities like Bologna, Verona, Bergamo, and Turin. With trains to Como and Varenna, Milan is also an easy home base for day trips to Lake Como and the Italian-speaking lakeside city of Lugano in Switzerland.

Yes, you can do a day trip to Switzerland from Milan. If you’re traveling alone, taking the 75-minute train from Milan to Lugano is the easiest option. You could also sign up for a guided day trip; a popular option is to join a tour group on the scenic Bernina Express train for views of the Swiss Alps and beyond.

Yes, you can easily take a day trip from Milan to Lake Como. Direct trains from Milan can get you to the lakeside towns of Como, Lecco, and Varenna in an hour or less. If you prefer to join a tour group, several guided day trips go to Lake Como from Milan and often include boat cruises.

Milan’s Milano Centrale station is a major rail hub, and it’s easy to reach several A-list destinations by train. Travel to Como and Varenna on Lake Como in around an hour, or Turin, Bologna, Verona, or Bergamo in less than 90 minutes. You can even cross the border and head into Switzerland to visit Lugano in just over an hour.

Milan day trip prices vary depending on duration and inclusions, but you can find plenty of budget-friendly small-group tours for less than US$100 per person. The Tour to Como, Bellagio & Lugano from Milan with Lake Como Cruise is an ideal choice to visit Lake Como’s highlights for just under US$70, while the Cinque Terre Sea Park with Limoncino Tasting Day Trip from Milan , St Moritz & Swiss Alps Day Trip with Bernina Red Train from Milan , and From Milan: Verona, Sirmione and Lake Garda Tour with Boat Cruise take you to three of the top destinations in northern Italy without breaking the bank.

Do some research to get a feel for your many options—Milan day trips range from Piedmont wine tours and excursions to Lake Como and Lake Garda to scenic Swiss Alps train rides and guided walks in Venice or Verona. Full-day excursions often include free time at each stop on the itinerary, and guides are a great resource for dining and sightseeing. Dress for the weather and altitude, keeping in mind that northern Italy often has lower temps and some day trips head to the Swiss peaks.

Yes, Milan is a bustling transport hub with a major train station at its heart and several important highways running through the outskirts. Headliner destinations from Lake Como and the Swiss Alps to Lake Garda, Verona, and Venice are a direct train ride away, and most of northern Italy is well within day-trip range.

Aim to plan your excursion for early fall or late spring, when you can enjoy warm weather without the summer crowds in and around Milan. These seasons should be ideal for most Milan day trips, whether checking out the fall grape harvest at Barolo vineyards or visiting the blossoming gardens around Lake Como.

Yes, both Venice and the Cinque Terre are popular destinations for full-day excursions by train or car. You’ll be spending several hours traveling, however, so should plan your day carefully to maximize your time. Guided day trips are ideal for streamlining logistics and coordinating tours and activities to make every minute count.

Lake Como—its waterfront towns of Como, Bellagio, and Varenna—is a top choice for first-timers, as it’s less than an hour away and its highlights are connected by train and ferry. Travelers looking to cross the border can ride the Bernina Express into the Swiss Alps as far as St. Moritz and back, combining Milan’s culture with dramatic views.

Yes, many of the top-shelf attractions in northern Italy are connected to Milan by train. High-speed trains whisk you to major cities such as Bologna, Verona, Turin, Venice, and Bergamo, while regional trains connect to smaller towns on Lake Como, along the Cinque Terre coastline, and in the wine country of Piedmont.