Lake Como is 46 km long and its roads are slow: in summer, getting from Como to Bellagio by car can take over an hour, and public ferries stop running in the early evening. A private water taxi is the practical answer — a fast, comfortable boat with a local captain that picks you up at the nearest pier and drops you exactly where you need to be. Point-to-point transfers start from around €400 for short hops; longer crossings and evening services are quoted per trip. Tell us where you are and where you need to go on WhatsApp, and we confirm the boat, the captain and the exact price before you book.
Honest prices — what it really costs
| Short transfer (same shore, e.g. Bellagio–Varenna) | Direct crossing, up to 6–8 guests | from €400 |
| Mid-lake transfer (e.g. Como–Bellagio) | Approx. 30–40 min by fast boat | from €500 |
| Evening dinner taxi (round trip) | To your restaurant and back, evening hours | from €650 |
| Villa del Balbianello shuttle | Direct arrival at the villa's private pier | from €450 |
Real market prices 2026, confirmed with local boat operators. Final quote depends on distance, boat size and time of day — confirmed on WhatsApp before booking, no surprises.
The transfers that make the most sense
The most requested routes are the ones the ferries serve badly: Bellagio–Varenna–Menaggio after 7 pm, when public boats stop; Como city to the mid-lake villages (Tremezzina, Bellagio, Varenna) without an hour in traffic; direct arrival at Villa del Balbianello, which has no road access and is otherwise reached on foot; and evening dinner transfers — the boat waits or comes back to collect you after dinner, so nobody drives. Wedding transfers to villas and hotels with private piers are also common: the arrival by boat is the photo everyone remembers.
How it works
Message us on WhatsApp with your route, date, time and number of guests. We confirm availability with a licensed captain, the boat type (open launch or classic Venetian-style taxi depending on availability) and the final price. On the day, the captain meets you at the agreed pier — in Como city usually at the docks in front of Piazza Cavour, in the villages at the public landing stages or your hotel's private pier. Payment is made directly to the operator. Luggage is no problem: transfers with suitcases from the train stations of Como or Varenna to your accommodation are a standard service.
Who it's for — and who should take the ferry
Worth it if you're a group of 4–8 (the price per person becomes very reasonable), if you're travelling with luggage, if you're out after the last ferry, or if your destination has no road access like Villa Balbianello. It's also the only sensible option for late dinners across the lake. If you're two people travelling in the morning between the main towns, the public ferry at €5–10 per person does the same job — take that instead and save the taxi for the evening.