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How To Take The Funicular from Como to Brunate And Is It Worth the Hype?

Planning to take the funicular from Como to Brunate, but not quite sure how? Then you’re in the right place! We recently took the Como-Brunate funicular, and it was super easy.

We absolutely loved the 7-minute ride as the views of Lake Como became better and better as we got higher up.

Brunate sits 500-700 meters above the lake and rocks its nickname “The Balcony of the Alps.”

We really enjoyed our trip up there, so read on to know everything you need to take the historical Como to Brunate funicular.

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My dog, Atlas, riding the Como Brunate funicular in Lake Como. He looks out on incredible lake views at sunset.

Brunate funicular

Brunate funicular has been running since 1894 and has turned into a historical landmark in Lake Como. It was powered by a steam engine until 1911, when it was changed to an electric engine.

The historical funicular was originally built to replace an old mule track to make it easier to travel between the two towns. With a 7-minute travel time up the steep slope, it must have saved the locals a lot of effort and time after it started running.

In 2011, the current carriages were installed with air conditioning for a more comfortable ride.

Who would have thought, over a hundred years ago, that the Como-Brunate funicular would turn into one of the top tourist attractions on Lake Como?

People looking out of the red funicular going from Como to Brunate as it stopps in Como on the way back down. This is one of the best ways to get to Brunate from Como in Italy.

How to get tickets for the funicular

You must purchase tickets on the spot in the ticket office at the entrance of the funicular. You can pay either cash or by card.

We only purchased one-way tickets to Brunate as we had planned to walk down again. But we spent too much time in Brunate, and it became too late to walk down.

There were ticket machines at the station where we got our return tickets easily.

The brown wooden house where you find the Como-Brunate funicular ticket booth in Como. This is where you can take the funicular from Como to Brunate in Lake Como, Italy.

Ticket types and prices

Adult one-way ticket: 3.60 Euros
Adult return ticket: 7.20 Euros

Children under 4 years old: Free
Children 4-12 years old one-way ticket: 2.40 Euros
Children 4-12 years old return ticket: 4.80 Euros

Pets, bikes, and pushchairs: 3.50 Euros

People in a que to enter the funicular to Brunate from Como in north Italy.

Even though it says on the funicular’s official site that you must pay for pets, we didn’t pay anything for Atlas.

We asked if he needed a muzzle or tickets, and they told us no, and let him on. I’m not sure if we were lucky, or if this has changed over the last year. Either way, I recommend asking when you purchase the ticket.

Atlas riding the funicular from Como to Brunate looking at the lakeviews at sunset.

The ride

The ride in itself was actually really nice; it only takes 7 minutes, but in that time, you’ll travel through a tunnel and emerge to the most beautiful Lake Como Views.

Tunnel on the Como Brunate funicular ride in Lake Como Italy. There's a red light in the tunnel and it's a steep slope from the bottom to the funicular.

As you ascend up the hillside, the views just get better and better. I highly recommend getting on in the front so you get the front window views!

We rode there on the way up, but on the way down, we got in the back as there was more space and Atlas was just as tired as we were, so we just wanted to relax, and it was after dark anyway.

Historical funicular from Como to Brunate at sunset with views over Lake Como. Taking the funicular to Brunate is one of the main reasons to visit Como in Italy.

Is it worth taking the Brunate funicular from Como?

So, is it worth taking the funicular to Brunate from Como? Absolutely yes!

We considered driving there, but one of the days in Como, we hiked up the hill that led us to the road that continues to Brunate and the traffic was horrendous.

I also didn’t see many good places to park in Brunate. Considering how small Brunate actually is, I think the easiest and fastest way to get there is by taking the funicular.

It’s only 7 minutes on the funicular versus a 20-minute car ride plus the time you’ll take finding a parking spot – if you find one at all.

The experience of taking the funicular is also really nice with the incredible views that opens up as you get higher and higher.

People standing in the front part of the red Brunate Finucular going down to Como.

What to do in Brunate

Brunate is a lovely little hamlet overlooking Lake Como. There’s no secret, the best part of Brunate are the views, but here’s a short summary of what to do there:

  • Have a drink with a view
  • Have lunch or dinner with a view
  • See the Chiesa Prepositurale di Sant’Andrea Apostolo
  • Walk around to enjoy the Art Nouveau villas that were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s
  • Hike to Volitano Lighthouse

You can read my complete post about things to do in Brunate for more information.

An orange Art Nouveau house with painted details on the walls in the tiny hampet of Brunate in Lake Como. Visiting this village is one of the best things to do in Como Italy.

Summing up

Summing up, it’s super easy to take the funicular from Como to Brunate and it’s truly worth the experience.

It’s a lot easier to take the funicular over driving to Brunate, so it’s by far the smoothest transport up there. But it’s also one of the top things to do in Como, so I don’t see many reasons to skip this little adventure.

I mean, even on a Como one-day itinerary, you should take the funicular to Brunate to see the views.

Happy travels!