There are a few places that evoke images of classic Italian luxury. Lake Como is definitely one of them. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy Lake Como on a budget. Previously, I’ve shared how to explore Lake Como by public transport, to help keep costs low. Now, I’m sharing where to stay in Lake Como on a budget. Let’s dive in and find out more.
What are the key Lake Como towns?
With Lake Como being in an upside-down Y shape, there are plenty of towns along its shores. Some are more well-connected than others. The main towns that people tend to stay in are:
Como and Bellagio are probably the most expensive places and most popular spots. That’s because you have the most common rail route from Milan to Como, and Bellagio is at the point towards the middle of the lake. This means you can visit a lot of places from here.
Bellagio is also one of the key Lake Como destinations, with its winding alleyways, colourful buildings, and iconic promenade. As such, the prices are more expensive. It’s also more of a faff to get to from the airport, as it’s only accessible by ferry or bus from a couple of different lakeside towns.
On the eastern side of the Lake, you’ll find Lecco and Varenna. Both of these towns have consistent ferry links, and they both have train stations, which make it easy to get to Milan and Bergamo. We stayed in Lecco on our trip because it was a lot cheaper than Como or Bellagio, and it had easy transport links.
Lecco is also the place where you’ll see more Italians going on their holidays. It’s got a great mix of touristy sights alongside local shops and restaurants. Overall, it felt a lot more laidback compared to when we went to Milan or Bellagio.
On the western side of the Lake, you can also find an affordable option in Menaggio. It also has regular ferries to Bellagio and Varenna, so you can easily hop around the lake. However, there’s no train station in Menaggio, so you’ll need to either get the bus from Como or get the train to Varenna and jump on the ferry.
If you’re looking for where to stay in Lake Como on a budget, but still want to be connected, stay in either Lecco or Menaggio. There’s a good balance of budget-friendly accommodation, restaurants, and public transport links.
Holiday rental or hotel?
You’ll find both holiday rentals and hotels all around Lake Como. While we chose a holiday rental in Lecco to keep costs low, you can find great hotel deals too. If you want some space to relax, I recommend a holiday rental, but if you’re not going to be there that much, get a budget hotel where you can just crash.
There are tons of holiday rentals all around the lake, so you can find a range of price points. Of course, if you’re hiring a car, you can stay a little further out from the main towns and get a cheaper place to stay, often with parking. If you’re planning to cycle while you’re there, you can also stay a little further out to save on accommodation.
When it comes to hotels around Lake Como, there’s everything from independent B&Bs to high-end five-star estates with private docks. If you’re figuring out where to stay in Lake Como on a budget, I’d opt for the edge of the larger towns or one bus stop along the lake.
On average, budget to mid-range hotels on Lake Como cost between £100 and £200 per night. For our holiday rental close to the lakefront in Lecco, we paid £342 for four nights. You can find hotel deals for Lake Como, especially if it’s last-minute or in the low season. Check sites like Secret Escapes or Voyage Prive if you want a luxury hotel on a budget.
Are there hostels around Lake Como?
Despite Lake Como’s luxury credentials, there are hostels here. There aren’t many. Really, there are four options. Two in Como, one in Menaggio, and one in Upper Lake Como.
These have dorm and private room options, and most offer events and have an on-site bar. Hostel bars are usually pretty cheap, and mean you don’t get ripped off for an Aperol Spritz like you might in Bellagio!
The four main hostels on Lake Como are:
- Lake Como Beach Hostel in Domaso, Upper Lake Como
- New Generation Hostel Lake Como in Como
- Ostello Bello Lake Como in Como
- Lake Como Hostel La Primula in Menaggio
Camping and mobile homes around Lake Como
If you’re staying in the warmer seasons, there are tons of campsites around Lake Como. Many allow campervans and car camping, and some are tent only. In the peak season, remember to book in advance, as many pitches will be booked months before.
You can check out the different campsites around Lake Como here. Some also have chalets and mobile homes if you want to have the comfort and security of permanent walls. Mobile homes and chalets on campsites are a great budget option compared to holiday rentals. Realistically, they’re the same thing, except mobile homes tend to be smaller.
Often, you might be slightly outside the main town or city, but on Lake Como, that’s usually just down the lakefront or the main road. With the cycle paths around the lake and the pavement for hiking, it’s relatively easy to get into the various towns from the outskirts.
