Getting from Como to Menaggio
 

We'll be taking the train into Como and we're considering hotels in Menaggio. Question: What's the best way to get from Como to Menaggio (without a car). From what I can tell, there's a bus, but we had hoped to go by boat. I looked at the schedules, but they were a little confuing to me. I couldn't tell if there was a direct boat between the two towns.
Thanks for your help.

The ferry boats from Como do run fairly often and stop at many villages along the lake. It will take about an hour to Menaggio but you will love the trip--given good weather. The schedule will depend on which month.
Here are some shots on Lago Como, including some at Menaggio.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4442

Thanks. So you don't have to change boats anywhere to make the trip?

No--but there are 2 types of boats---the fast hydrofoils and the slower ferries---I prefer the slow trip.
A taxi from Como will cost about 80E---the boat tickets are about 12E as I recall.

Thanks again. One more question, which, with apologies, I should have asked earlier. Is it wise to buy tix in advance? We're talking about mid-September.

No reason--it is like a local commuter line.

There are two train services which arrive in Como.

The trains from Milano Centrale (Central station) and Switzerland arrive at Como San Giovanni which is about 600 yards from the lake (i.e. where you find the ferry) whereas the trains from Milano Cadorna station and from Malpensa airport arrive at Como Lago (lake side) station which is about 100 yards from the ferry.

Below is the timetable for the fast hydrofoil service -

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/c...ra_sr1b_e.html

I would recommend the fast boat just to get quickly to Menaggio so you can book in and deal with your luggage. When sightseeing you can do at least one trip with the slow boat and as you have no luggage to worry about you can walk around the boat etc.