From Milan: Villa del Balbianello & Varenna by Train on Lake Como

This is a self paced tour with no actual tour guide or group. All tickets and entrance vouchers are provided and instructions are very clear. You are provided with a suggested time schedule but we didn't really keep to it. I would advise getting to Milano Central early for the train as seats are not allocated and it was very busy and the train already full so we had to stand most of the way to Varenna. Once at Varenna ferry port don't line up with the hoards of people waiting...approach a staff member and they will direct you where to go. If considering this tour keep in mind that the walk up to Villa Balbianello is quite hilly and will take you around 20 to 30 minutes. There is a small gift shop at the Villa which also sells cold drinks. I don't think you are restricted to the exact time on the return train, we caught a slightly earlier one and nothing was said. A fantastic but very tiring day, totally worth it though!

We wanted to have all our travel booked for us as we found the public information online confusing. This activity did exactly that which was great. Unfortunately, our train was cancelled, making us catch another train with twice as many people, forcing us to stand up against a crowded carriage for over an hour (like coming home from a footy Grand Final). Same coming home as well however we managed to find my wife a seat while I sat on the floor in front of her. The ferry also took a bit of time as well, stopping at every port on the way to the Villa. The Villa was great! Our tickets helped us skip the long line and have a good experience there. Lots of walking on this day. Pack good shoes

My partner and I booked this self-guided tour and I think for the price you pay, this is a great deal. It’s a self-guided tour so there’s no one to chaperone you or tell you when your next stop will be. You keep track of your own time. However, they pay for all the ferry tickets, entrance tickets, and the train tickets. We got to explore a good chunk of Lake Como and take pictures at the Villa del Balbianello. Before my trip, I was given instructions down to the last minute. The ferry system was a little daunting at first, but the tourist officers will quickly tell you where to go if you show your ticket. I wish we had more time to explore Varenna since there was so much to see, but I think we saw a good portion either way! If you’re looking for a chaperoned tour this isn’t it, but a self paced tour gave us a good pace and allowed us to see what we wanted to at a reasonable price!