Walking is the most delightful way to explore the individual lakeside towns of Lake Maggiore. Settlements like Stresa, Arona, and Cannobio feature extensive, flat promenades perfect for scenic strolls with views of the Borromean Islands. Most historic town centers are compact and pedestrian-friendly, though exploring the hillside villas or the steep, tiered gardens of Isola Bella requires comfortable walking shoes and the ability to navigate numerous stairs.

If you do not have a rental car (which is the recommended method), the easiest way to travel is actually by boat. To unlock the lake’s charm, explore its picturesque and busy central parts and southern reaches by boat, using the extensive network of ferries for short visits before retiring to its calmer shores. There is an extensive ferry system (www.navigazionelaghi.it) that connects even the smallest towns and stops along both shores of the lake. However, in winter this is reduced to just local ferries—one that only crosses between Arona and Angera, and another that only travels around the central lake between Stresa, the islands, and Verbania/Intra—but doesn’t connect these localized lake regions. A nice day trip from Stresa is taking the ferry or hydrofoil to Switzerland and returning by train.

You can take a train up the west shore of the lake past Arona and Stresa as far as Verbania, at which point the rail lines leave the lakeside to turn northwest toward Switzerland. This is an efficient way to travel between the lake and Milan. On the Swiss side, trains connect Locarno to the wider Swiss rail network. Always remember to validate your paper ticket in the yellow or green machines on the platform before boarding to avoid heavy fines.

There is a regular bus service along Lake Maggiore’s western shore between Arona, Stresa, and Verbania operated by S.A.F. (www.safduemila.com), but it runs less frequently and services fewer places than do the lake ferries. Local buses are a budget-friendly option for reaching specific interior villages, though they can be slower during peak summer months due to traffic on the narrow lakeside roads. Tickets are best purchased at “Tabacchi” shops or kiosks.

In towns like Stresa, private motorboat taxis offer fast, flexible transfers to the Borromean Islands. While more expensive than the public ferry, these private boats depart more frequently and can be tailored to your schedule. You can find their kiosks prominently displayed along the Stresa waterfront. For land transportation, traditional car taxis are available at major train stations and ferry terminals for local hotel transfers.

A car is ideal for exploring the surrounding valleys, such as the Val Verzasca or Val Formazza, which are difficult to reach by public transit. However, driving along the lake can be challenging due to narrow lanes and limited parking in popular towns like Stresa. If you arrive by car, we suggest using your hotel’s parking and utilizing the ferry system for visits to the islands and coastal attractions.

To reach the higher altitudes, several cable cars and funiculars operate around the lake. The most famous is the Stresa-Mottarone cable car, providing access to the mountain summit for panoramic views. In Locarno, a funicular connects the city center to the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso, offering some of the finest aerial vistas in the region.

The primary gateway is Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), which is conveniently located only 30 miles from the southern shores. To reach the lake, travelers typically use the “Malpensa-Stresa” Alibus shuttle service, hire a taxi, or rent a car for the 50-minute drive.

At Milan Malpensa, you can catch the “S50” regional train toward Varese or take the dedicated Alibus shuttle that runs directly to the main lakeside towns like Arona, Belgirate, and Stresa. Taxis are available outside the arrivals terminal, typically costing between 100 and 130 Euros to reach Stresa. Car rental agencies are located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

The main railway stations are Stresa and Verbania-Pallanza. Most hotels are located near the waterfront, which is a short downhill walk or a quick taxi ride from the station. For hotels on the islands, you must take a taxi or walk to the pier (imbarcadero) and board a public ferry or a private water taxi.

The most efficient way to travel between lakeside towns and islands is by Navigazione Laghi, the public ferry system. You can purchase hop-on-hop-off day passes for different basins. Local buses also connect the coastal villages, but they are generally slower than the boats. Tickets should be purchased at local kiosks or the ferry ticket offices.

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