Boat tours on Lake Como
Three kinds of boat trip are worth comparing. A shared cruise with a skipper starts in Como and is priced per person. A self-drive boat is hired by the hour or day and is priced for the whole boat. A water taxi runs between a pier and a destination such as Villa del Balbianello and is booked separately. The public ferry is a fourth option and is covered on the ferry page.
All prices below come from single providers and apply to 2026 unless a month is given. They are examples, not market averages, and a listed price does not show free seats or free boats on your date.
Shared boat tours from Como
Prices per person, 2026.
| Tour | Duration | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip from Como | 1 hour | €48 |
| Longer trip from Como | 2 hours | €99 |
| Bellagio tour | 3 hours | €105 |
On this provider's page the price includes the skipper, fuel and drinks. A group tour is limited to 12 people per boat. These conditions belong to this one listing and may differ at other operators, so ask what is included before you pay. For the full range of boat and villa options see tours compared.
Our picks: boat tours
From a one-hour shared boat tour to a four-hour tour with two stops.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Four-hour boat tour with Bellagio and Varenna
A shared boat tour past the villas with walks through Bellagio and Varenna and a prosecco tasting. Tips for the captain are not included.
Check availability →
One-hour shared boat tour to the villas of the central lake
A classic wooden boat with an English-speaking captain. Pickup elsewhere on the lake and tips are not included.
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Classic wooden boat cruise past the villas
A shared cruise along the lakeside villas with a glass of prosecco. Tips for the captain are not included.
Check availability →Lake Como boat tours and day trips
Cruises, villa trips and day trips from Milan, with live prices and availability.
Self-drive boats
Prices are for the whole boat, not per person.
| Boat | Duration | Price per boat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trimarchi 57 Sundek, Suzuki 40 hp (Neo Marine), July 2026 | 2 hours | €150 | Up to 6 people, fuel included |
| Trimarchi 57 Sundek (Neo Marine), July 2026 | 4 hours | €250 | Fuel included |
| Trimarchi 57 Sundek (Neo Marine), July 2026 | 8 hours | €450 | Fuel included |
| Trimarchi 57 Sundek (Neo Marine), August 2026 | Day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. | €400 | Fuel not included |
| Yamarin, 40 hp (Newton Rent a Boat) | 1 hour | €90 | Up to 6 people or 350 kg; insurance included, fuel extra |
| Yamarin, 40 hp (Newton Rent a Boat) | 2 hours | €180 | Fuel extra |
| Yamarin, 40 hp (Newton Rent a Boat) | 4 hours | €245 | Fuel extra |
| Yamarin, 40 hp (Newton Rent a Boat) | 8 hours | €380 | Fuel extra; €500 deposit |
The July rates include fuel, but the August day rate of €400 is quoted without it. Ask for the total with fuel before you book. These are prices for the whole boat, not fares per person.
What to check before you book
The points that change the real cost or the plan.
The licence question
The Neo Marine boat is offered as licence-free. The national rule sets a power limit of 30 kW, about 40.8 hp, and adds further conditions on engine and displacement. Do not assume that every boat under 40 hp needs no licence. Ask the renter what applies to your boat on your date.
Water taxi to Balbianello
A paid water taxi runs from Lido di Lenno to Villa del Balbianello and must be reserved separately. The service is not run by the villa's operator, and other private water taxis exist too. The villa ticket is bought separately and a reservation is required.
Villa del Balbianello →Anchoring and swimming
Do not assume you may anchor or swim in front of a private villa. Bathing is also decided point by point, and a ban can apply even where the water looks clear. Ask the renter which stops are fine, and read the swimming page.
Deposit and insurance
One rental lists a €500 deposit with insurance included. Ask each provider what the deposit is and what the insurance covers before you sign.
Weather and waves
Weather and waves can cause cancellations on the lake. Keep your plan flexible and have a ferry timetable ready as a fallback. See ferries.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the boats fit.
Ferries
Fares, car ferries and timetable periods.
Bellagio
The peninsula, Villa Melzi and the boats to both shores.
Villa del Balbianello
Reservations, opening days and the walk from Lenno.
Beaches and swimming
Season, lido prices and why bans apply point by point.
For a wider look at boat trips across the region, our sister site has a guide to Lake Como boat tours as part of Lombardy.
Lake Como boat tours: frequently asked questions
How much does a boat tour on Lake Como cost?
A shared tour from Como costs €48 per person for 1 hour, €99 for 2 hours and €105 for the 3-hour Bellagio tour. A self-drive boat costs from €150 for 2 hours per boat in July 2026. These are examples from single providers.
Do I need a licence to drive a rental boat?
One rental is offered as licence-free with a 40 hp engine. The national power limit is 30 kW, about 40.8 hp, with further conditions, so ask the renter what applies to your boat before you book.
Is fuel included?
It depends on the provider and the date. The July 2026 Neo Marine rates include fuel, the August day rate of €400 does not, and the Yamarin rental lists fuel as extra. Ask for the total.
Can I take a water taxi to Villa del Balbianello?
Yes. A paid water taxi runs from Lido di Lenno and must be reserved. You also need a reservation and a ticket for the villa itself.
Is a boat tour better than the ferry?
They do different jobs. The ferry moves you between towns at fares from €3.00. A shared boat tour from Como costs €48 or more per person and is a planned trip with a skipper.