⚠️ March 2026 Maintenance Update: The Como-Brunate funicular is currently closed for scheduled maintenance and is expected to reopen on April 1, 2026.
How to get to Brunate now: A replacement bus service is running every 30 minutes from Piazza De Gasperi (right near the funicular station). You can use the same tickets on the bus as you would on the funicular.
For the latest official announcements and any last-minute changes to the reopening schedule, you can check the official ATM Milano website. They manage the daily operations and provide real-time alerts for the line.
If you’re planning a visit to Lake Como, one experience you shouldn’t miss is the scenic ride on the Como-Brunate Funicular. This short but unforgettable journey takes you from the lakeside city of Como up into the mountains, offering incredible views, cooler air, and access to beautiful nature walks and panoramic spots. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know for planning your trip in 2026, including ticket prices, timetables, and helpful tips. If you want more information have a look at my guide Brunate in a Day: Funicular Ride, Stunning Views, and Great Food↗
🚠 What Is the Como-Brunate Funicular?
The funicular is a cable railway that has connected Piazza De Gasperi in Como to the hilltop town of Brunate since 1894. The ride lasts just 7 minutes, but it’s packed with scenic views. You’ll travel up the mountainside, first entering a tunnel and then emerging into sweeping lake views. The two cars, named BruCo 12 (light mauve) and BruCo 13 (bright red), run simultaneously from the top and bottom stations and crosses each others track in the middle.
🕒 2026 Operating Hours & Timetable
The funicular operates daily from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM (and until midnight on Saturdays and during the peak summer months).
- Frequency: Generally every 15 minutes.
- Peak Summer (July/August): During the height of summer, frequency often increases to every 12 minutes between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM to help move the morning crowds.
My Local Tip: On busy weekends, the line can look intimidating. However, because each car holds a significant amount of people and the trip is only 7 minutes, the line moves faster than it looks.
🎟️ 2026 Ticket Prices
You can buy tickets at the ticket office at either the bottom or top station. Note that online tickets are not currently available, so you must buy them in person.
- Round Trip (Standard): €7.20
- Single Ride: €3.60
- Children (under 1.10m tall): Free
- Dogs/Bikes: Extra fees apply (around €3.50–€7.00)
Credit cards are accepted at the ticket windows, but it’s always smart to have a few Euros in cash just in case the system is down.
📍 Where to Board the Como-Brunate Funicular
- Bottom Station: Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 4, 22100 Como CO, Italy, (Near the Lakefront)
- Top Station: Brunate
Stations are clearly marked, and signs will guide you to ticket counters and boarding areas. Expect longer lines during midday, especially in peak season.
💡 How to actually enjoy the ride (and avoid the stress)
- Arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy clearer views.
- The “Right Side” Rule: When boarding at the bottom in Como, try to get a spot at the very back of the carriage (the side facing the lake). As the funicular climbs, the view opens up behind you.
- Buy your tickets in advance: You don’t have to use your tickets the moment you buy them. If you are walking past the station in the morning when it’s quiet, stop in and buy your round-trip tickets then.
- Why this matters: Often, the long queue you see stretching outside the station is just people waiting to reach the ticket window. If you already have your tickets in hand, you can walk straight past that line and enter the boarding area. Usually, the actual wait for the next funicular car is much shorter than the line for the tickets!
- Sunset is King: If you want the best photos, head up about an hour before sunset. The view of the lights coming on in Como city is much better than the midday glare.
- Bring a camera: The views from Brunate are stunning!
- Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to hike or walk around Brunate
🏞️ Why Visit Brunate on the Como-Brunate Funicular?
Most people take the funicular up, snap one photo, and come right back down. Don’t do that. Brunate is known as the “Balcony of the Alps” for a reason, and there is plenty to see if you walk just ten minutes away from the station.
- The Volta Lighthouse (Faro Voltiano): This is the “big” one. It’s a 25-30 minute walk uphill from the funicular station. It’s a bit of a climb, but the 360-degree view from the top of the lighthouse is one of the best in Italy. On a clear 2026 day, you can see all the way to the skyscrapers of Milan and the Monte Rosa massif.
- Liberty Style Architecture: As you walk through the streets of Brunate, keep an eye out for the stunning “Stile Liberty” (Italian Art Nouveau) villas. These were the summer homes of wealthy Como families in the early 1900s and they are incredibly photogenic.
- The “Pissarottino” Viewpoint: If you don’t want to hike all the way to the lighthouse, follow the signs for “Pissarottino.” It’s a flat, easy 10-minute walk that leads to a balcony overlooking the western branch of the lake (towards Cernobbio and Villa d’Este).
- Cooler Air: In the peak of July or August, Como city can be sweltering. Brunate is usually 3-5°C cooler, making it the perfect “escape” for a long lunch.
Check out my full guide here: Brunate in a Day: Funicular Ride, Stunning Views, and Local Food
💡 My Local Tip for Hikers
If you’re wearing the right shoes, you can continue past the lighthouse toward Monte Boletto. However, for most travelers, I recommend walking to the lighthouse, grabbing a cold drink at one of the small bars nearby, and then heading back down to Como for an aperitivo by the lake.
📌 Final Thoughts: Is the Funicular worth it in 2026?
The Como-Brunate funicular is more than just a way to get up a hill; it’s a time capsule that has been part of lake life since 1894. Whether you’re a hiker looking for the high trails or a couple looking for the most romantic sunset spot on the lake, this 7-minute ride is a mandatory Lake Como experience.
⚠️ 2026 Maintenance Update: If you are visiting in early March, please note the funicular is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance and is expected to reopen on April 1, 2026. During the closure, a replacement bus service runs between Como (Piazza De Gasperi) and Brunate every 30 minutes, using the same tickets.
💬 What’s next on your itinerary?
Now that you know how to reach the “Balcony of the Alps,” why not plan the rest of your stay?
- If you’re staying in Como, check out my guide to the Best Months to Visit Lake Como.
- Looking for that perfect dinner after your ride? See my €15 “Dinner Hack” at Bar Touring—it’s just a short walk from the bottom station.
Have a question about the funicular or the 2026 schedule? Drop a comment below or find me on Instagram. I’m out on the lake every week and happy to help!