Top Destinations

7 Reasons to Fly Private to Lake Como This Autumn

22 September 2026 Top Destinations

Why Lake Como Still Works by Private Jet Once Summer Ends

Lake Como's private jet season does not end when the summer crowds leave. From late September into November, the lake settles into a quieter rhythm that suits a traveller who values a table at short notice over a full calendar of festivals.

This guide covers how to fly into Lake Como privately, which five-star hotels are still operating, and where the region's two Michelin-starred kitchens are, so a private jet trip to Lake Como this autumn is easy to plan properly.

Flying Private into Lake Como

Lake Como has no airport of its own, so private jet arrivals route through one of three airports around it.

Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the largest and handles the widest range of aircraft, from light jets to long-range types. Signature Flight Support operates the dedicated business aviation FBO (fixed base operator, the private terminal separate from commercial check-in) at Malpensa, and the drive to Como town runs roughly 40 minutes to an hour depending on traffic, according to Signature Aviation and Rossi Writes.

Milan Linate (LIN) sits closer to the city centre and, since early 2026, has a new advantage. Jetex opened a dedicated private aviation terminal there, known as Linate Prime, offering its own lounges, customs processing and sustainable aviation fuel, according to a Jetex press release distributed via GlobeNewswire. Linate's general aviation slots are tighter than Malpensa's given the volume of scheduled airline traffic, so book arrival and departure slots well ahead. The drive from Linate to Como runs 50 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes, per Rossi Writes.

Lugano Airport (LUG), just over the Swiss border, is the closest by road to the lake's western shore around Cernobbio, at around 48 minutes and 41 kilometres, according to MyTransfers. Its runway measures 1,415 metres, with an unusually steep approach into the valley, according to Lugano Airport's own AIP documentation. Together these limit Lugano to light and midsize jets rather than larger long-range aircraft.

Lugano Handling is the FBO on site, according to FlightAware. Because Lugano sits in Switzerland, outside the EU customs union, private arrivals need customs clearance even though Switzerland is inside the Schengen area, so confirm handling requirements with your operator ahead of time.

7 Reasons to Fly to Lake Como This Autumn

1. The lake empties out, but nothing shuts down

August brings the heaviest boat traffic and the longest waits for a table on the water. By late September, the day-trip crowds from Milan and the villa-rental turnover have thinned considerably, while the hotels, restaurants and private boat operators stay fully staffed and open. It is the version of Lake Como locals describe when they talk about the lake "coming back to itself."

2. Passalacqua keeps cooking through the cold months

Passalacqua in Moltrasio holds the Michelin Guide's top hotel distinction, Three Keys, and was named the World's Best Hotel for 2025 by The World's 50 Best Hotels. Rather than closing for winter, the property runs seasonal programming under executive chef Viviana Varese, including white truffle menus and Thursday evening dinners in its wine cellar through November and December, according to the hotel's own website. It is independently rated a five-star property across booking and travel platforms.

3. Mistral, Bellagio's only Michelin star, gets easier to book

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio describes itself as the only five-star hotel in Bellagio, and its restaurant Mistral holds one Michelin star under chef Ettore Bocchia, known for his work in modernist Italian cooking, according to Identità Golose and the Michelin Guide. Tables that require weeks of notice in July are far more workable once the summer season ends.

4. Materia in Cernobbio is one of only two Michelin stars actually on the lake

Chef Davide Caranchini's Materia, in Cernobbio, has held one Michelin star since 2018, per the Michelin Guide, and seats just 30 guests. It sits a short drive from the Lugano Airport side of the lake, making it a practical stop for anyone routing through Switzerland.

5. The Mandarin Oriental's redesigned restaurant is worth catching before it closes for the year

Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como in Blevio holds a Forbes Five-Star rating, according to Forbes Travel Guide. The property reopened for its 2026 season on 6 May with a redesigned L'Aria restaurant and new spa treatments, the hotel announced in its own press release. Como properties of this type typically close for part of the winter, so confirm exact 2026 closing dates directly with the hotel before booking.

6. Milan's newest private terminal cuts your ground time before the trip even starts

The Jetex terminal at Linate Prime was built specifically to reduce the friction of connecting from aircraft to city, with customs processing designed to move faster than at a standard general aviation ramp, according to Jetex's own announcement. For a same-day arrival ahead of dinner on the lake, that difference in ground handling time matters.

7. A private boat still gets you around without a queue in sight

Passalacqua, the Mandarin Oriental and Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni each maintain their own boats for guests, arranging private crossings to villa gardens such as Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta that bypass the public ferry entirely. This is the way to see the lake's gardens and villas that this audience actually uses, rather than joining a scheduled ferry crossing.

What to Know Before You Book

Restaurant tables at Mistral and Materia should still be booked several weeks out even in the quieter months, given each restaurant's limited seating.

Autumn weather on Lake Como is mild but changeable, with October averaging cooler evenings than September, so pack accordingly for boat transfers.

If your itinerary depends on a specific hotel being open, confirm dates directly with the property. Como's seasonal five-star hotels do not all publish firm closing dates in advance, and this is worth checking rather than assuming.

Sources

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Which airport is best for a private jet to Lake Como?

Milan Malpensa handles the widest range of aircraft and has an established FBO run by Signature Flight Support. Milan Linate is closer to Milan itself and now has its own dedicated private terminal, Linate Prime, operated by Jetex since early 2026. Lugano Airport in Switzerland is closest by road to the lake's western shore, but its 1,415-metre runway and steep valley approach limit it to light and midsize jets.

How far is Lake Como from Milan Linate airport?

Como town is roughly 67 kilometres from Milan Linate, a drive of 50 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes depending on traffic, according to Rossi Writes. Bellagio, further up the lake, takes closer to an hour to an hour and a half.

Is Lugano airport an option for flying private to Lake Como?

Yes, and it is the closest airport by road to Como's western shore around Cernobbio, at around 48 minutes' drive. Its short runway and steep valley approach restrict it to light and midsize jets, and since it sits in Switzerland outside the EU customs union, arrivals need customs clearance arranged in advance.

Does Passalacqua stay open in the autumn and winter?

Yes. Rather than closing for the season, Passalacqua runs autumn and winter programming including white truffle menus and wine cellar dinners through November and December, according to the hotel's own website.

Which restaurants near Lake Como hold Michelin stars?

Mistral at Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio holds one Michelin star under chef Ettore Bocchia. Materia in Cernobbio, led by chef Davide Caranchini, has held one Michelin star since 2018. These are the lake's only two Michelin-starred restaurants.