SPT Como Bus Lines connects the City of Como to Bellagio with buses on a roughly hourly basis, from 6:25 (except Sunday) to 20:14. Travel time is 70 minutes, and the one way fare is 2.50 Euros.

The bus service originates at Como's Ferrovie dello Stato rail station (this is the large station operated by Italian National Railways, on the main line between Milan and Zurich), then stops across town at Como's Bus Terminal in Piazza Matteotti (across the square from the boat dock and the Ferrovie Nord commuter rail Como Nord Lago Station). The bus terminal is very close to the big hotels on the waterfront.

(From Malpensa airport, you can take the Ferrovie Nord commuter train Como Nord Lago Station, then connect to the bus to Bellagio: see previous postings).

Heavy luggage can be stowed in the baggage compartment under the main floor of the bus. You much purchase your ticket before boarding, and punch it in the special machine as you board the bus.

Return service from Bellagio runs from 6:00 (except Sunday) to 18:55.

There are somewhat fewer bus runs on Sundays.

Schedules: www.sptcomo.it
Line C30 Como-Bellagio

(There is a separate bus line from Como to Menaggio: Line C10, which also operates roughly hourly, with fewer runs on Sundays. Fare from Como to Menaggio is 2.75 Euros).

Thanks so much for this great information. At Malpensa Airport, where would I go to find the entrance to the Ferrovie Nord commuter train?

I've previously posted on this precise topic.

From the ARRIVALS level of the terminal structure, take the ELEVATOR down to the train station. Purchase a THROUGH ticket Malpensa-Como Nord Lago for 6.95 Euros at the ticket office, stamp the ticket in the special yellow machine, take the ESCALATOR down one additional flight, and board an outbound (southbound) train towards Milan.

Get off at SARONNO Station (20 minutes travel time), and connect to a northbound train for Lake Como. On the northbound train, go all the way to the last stop, Como Nord Lago Station. Travel time from Saronno to Como Nord Lago is 38 minutes. Connection time in Saronno is 1 minute or 31 minutes, and you must use the underground tunnel to connect.

Trains from both Malpensa and Saronno run every 30 minutes.

At the Como Nord Lago Station, cross the square to the Bus Station (20 yards), and purchase a ticket to Bellagio or Menaggio, or points in-between. Fare is 2.50 Euros to Bellagio and 2.75 Euros to Menaggio.

You can wait for the bus at the bar/cafe nearby. There are outdoor tables and chairs with views over the lakeside promenade.

Stamp the ticket as soon as you board the bus. The ride to Bellagio or Menaggio is about 70 minutes.

(There are also boats and hydrofoils from the boat dock across the square to both Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna, but service is less frequent(particularly during winter) and more expensive than the bus, and the bus is more convenient for travelers with heavy luggage).

Remember that schedules on Sundays are different from the rest of the week.

A taxi from Malpensa to Como is about 90 Euros. To Bellagio or Menaggio, about 140 (?) Euros.

Thank you so much, you have been a great help.