Am planning on travelling by train from Milan to Como but my destination is Lake Garda and im not sure if i then take a boat. I do go to Milan every year for a shoe fair and then i go down to Florence and stay for a few weeks so the latter part of this trip i know well

You wouldn't go to Como if your destination is Lake Garda. Where are you going on Lake Garda?

Lago di Garda is the farthest eastern lake. It is close to Verona.

As Jean says if you are going to Lake Garda, you would not go through Como.

there are two rail connections on the bottom of Lake Garda, Desenzano del Garda on the western side and Peschiera del Garda on the eastern side.

The trains from Milan usually route through Brescia.

am staying at hotel Eden in Sirmione for three nights thought it is easier to have a base and go off and do day trips . I will train to Verona for the day would have gone to florence that way but my friend has never been to Italy and she managed to get tickets for the Last Super so we are going back to Milan for how ever long it takes and go to florence that way. thanks for your help

I don't understand anything regarding your plan, however it seems that now things are clear for you.
If still have questions, please tell us your plan, by days.

Have stayed at www.sirmione.com Hotel Eden a bunch

Train to Desanzano di Garda station walk downhill to

ferry dock hop the short boat to Sirmione easy fun

Shuttles from station also.

Como is nowhere near where u want to go over on lake Como

thank you for your help will i be able to have a day trip to lake como from where iam staying or should i leave that for another time as i will be back in milan same time next year thanks once again jen

I would leave Lake Como for another time. IMO, the point of being on any of the lakes is to slow down and enjoy where you are. A day trip from Sirmione would involve multiple ferry rides, taxi rides (or walks between ferry docks and train stations), and four train segments.

You can train to Desenzano del Garda from Milan in just over an hour. Verona is another 20-30 minutes.

There are all-day ferry excursions from one end of the lake to the other and back (including lunch aboard). There is also bus service that runs between Brescia and Verona.

Ferry info:

http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/g_illago.html

Train timetables:

http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html

Brescia-Verona bus:

http://www.hotelconfine.com/images/s...nea%20bsvr.pdf