FAQ
Frequently asked questions
On PRIVATE tours we can depart from your hotel or town. We will pick you up at the nearest suitable pier. We will send you a map of the meeting point.
For departures outside Varenna there is a surcharge depending on the distance.
Online you can book departure from Varenna and with extra Euro 100 from Bellagio or Menaggio.
For other departure points you can reach out to our team for a quote.
SHARED GROUP tours depart ONLY from Varenna. However during the booking you have option to choose to get off in Bellagio instead of Varenna. Selecting this option is free of charge, you will miss the last part of the cruise itinerary from Bellagio to Varenna (Fiumelatte, Villa Monastero, Villa Cipressi) and end the tour approximately 10 min earlier than the rest of the group who return to Varenna.
For departures outside Varenna there is a surcharge depending on the distance.
Online you can book departure from Varenna and with extra Euro 100 from Bellagio or Menaggio.
For other departure points you can reach out to our team for a quote.
SHARED GROUP tours depart ONLY from Varenna. However during the booking you have option to choose to get off in Bellagio instead of Varenna. Selecting this option is free of charge, you will miss the last part of the cruise itinerary from Bellagio to Varenna (Fiumelatte, Villa Monastero, Villa Cipressi) and end the tour approximately 10 min earlier than the rest of the group who return to Varenna.
To guarantee comfort on board we limit the number of passengers to 12 people on the venetian water taxis.
From May 2025 we will have a new addition to our fleet - a limo boat for up to 30 passengers.
On a PRIVATE tour - the boat is reserved only for you. There is no one else on the boat, apart from the captain and your family / friends.
On SHARED GROUP tours the boat is shared among different groups of people or individuals who have all booked the same experience.
From May 2025 we will have a new addition to our fleet - a limo boat for up to 30 passengers.
On a PRIVATE tour - the boat is reserved only for you. There is no one else on the boat, apart from the captain and your family / friends.
On SHARED GROUP tours the boat is shared among different groups of people or individuals who have all booked the same experience.
For PRIVATE boat services the "Starting from" price is for the boat with departure from Varenna, and remains the same for 1 to 5 people. For each additional person there is a surcharge. Different pick-up and drop-off options than Varenna will affect the pricing. During the online booking process, before you finalize and confirm the reservation, you will be able to review the price for your specific number of passengers and other options selected.
For SHARED GROUP tours the price displayed is per person. Children under 12 have a reduced price - you will be able to see it during the online booking process of each specific tour.
For SHARED GROUP tours the price displayed is per person. Children under 12 have a reduced price - you will be able to see it during the online booking process of each specific tour.
PRIVATE tour - the standard itineraries are with cruising only and no stops to get off the boat in order to cover the shown route outline on the map in each description.
However, we can assist you and tailor a cruise with a stop. Minimal duration would be 2h boat booking. Including a stop means that the itinerary of the boat cruise will need to be modified based on the duration and location of the stop requested.
For bookings of 4 hours and longer you can choose where you want to stop and visit a villa or have a lunch at a lake-side restaurant. We can help you organize a tailored itinerary.
SHARED GROUP tours - one is with a stop, the other without. See description of each option on their respective pages.
However, we can assist you and tailor a cruise with a stop. Minimal duration would be 2h boat booking. Including a stop means that the itinerary of the boat cruise will need to be modified based on the duration and location of the stop requested.
For bookings of 4 hours and longer you can choose where you want to stop and visit a villa or have a lunch at a lake-side restaurant. We can help you organize a tailored itinerary.
SHARED GROUP tours - one is with a stop, the other without. See description of each option on their respective pages.
Yes! From March to November, we offer Shared Group Tours every day except Mondays and Wednesdays (when Balbianello is closed) at specific times, departing from Varenna. You can check the details and book here:
https://taxiboatvarenna.com/tour/central-lake-como-visit-of-villa-del-balbianello-from-varenna/
Alternatively, we can create a tailored experience with our private boat services, allowing you to enjoy a more exclusive and flexible visit.
Private Boat Options:
Option 1 – 30-minute Garden Visit
Visit only the garden (sufficient time to explore, as it’s not a vast area).
Book the boat for a minimum of 2 hours, out of which 30 minutes spent on-site at Balbianello.
Pricing: Based on our private boat tour rates.
Additional cost: €14 per person for the garden entrance fee (pre-purchase available on their website).
Option 2 – Full Villa & Garden Tour (1h 30min stop)
Includes a 50-minute guided tour of the villa’s interior (self-guided visits are not allowed) and free time to explore the garden.
Book the boat for a minimum of 2.5 hours or longer, out of the total time booked 1.5h spent on-site at Balbianello.
Pricing: Based on our private boat tour rates.
Additional cost:
€65 for the mandatory guided tour
€24 per person for the villa & garden entrance fee
Convenience: We handle all the bookings for you, including the villa tour reservation, so you won’t need to book anything separately.
For private tailored service we can arrange departure not only from Varenna but any other town on the lake with suitable pier. Price will depend on the distance and location of your pick-up and drop-off point.
https://taxiboatvarenna.com/tour/central-lake-como-visit-of-villa-del-balbianello-from-varenna/
Alternatively, we can create a tailored experience with our private boat services, allowing you to enjoy a more exclusive and flexible visit.
Private Boat Options:
Option 1 – 30-minute Garden Visit
Visit only the garden (sufficient time to explore, as it’s not a vast area).
Book the boat for a minimum of 2 hours, out of which 30 minutes spent on-site at Balbianello.
Pricing: Based on our private boat tour rates.
Additional cost: €14 per person for the garden entrance fee (pre-purchase available on their website).
Option 2 – Full Villa & Garden Tour (1h 30min stop)
Includes a 50-minute guided tour of the villa’s interior (self-guided visits are not allowed) and free time to explore the garden.
Book the boat for a minimum of 2.5 hours or longer, out of the total time booked 1.5h spent on-site at Balbianello.
Pricing: Based on our private boat tour rates.
Additional cost:
€65 for the mandatory guided tour
€24 per person for the villa & garden entrance fee
Convenience: We handle all the bookings for you, including the villa tour reservation, so you won’t need to book anything separately.
For private tailored service we can arrange departure not only from Varenna but any other town on the lake with suitable pier. Price will depend on the distance and location of your pick-up and drop-off point.
The captain reserves the right to cancel, postpone or interrupt any boat services based on weather conditions and their professional judgment.
Generally, if there is light rain, the roof of the boat is closed, and services proceed as usual. However, in the case of heavy rain, thunderstorms, or choppy waters caused by strong winds, the captain will use their expertise and knowledge of the boat performance and the lake to determine whether the service can be executed safely or if it needs to be cancelled. Decisions regarding cancellations are at the sole discretion of the captain.
Refund Policy: If the service is cancelled due to weather by Taxi Boat Varenna, you will receive a full refund. Postponements or rescheduling to a different date are subject to boat availability and client agreement.
This clause is valid only if initiated by Taxi Boat Varenna.
These decisions are taken based on actual water conditions on the day of the service.
You will be notified by email or with a phone-call, if very last minute due to a sudden change in conditions, then in person at the dock.
Generally, if there is light rain, the roof of the boat is closed, and services proceed as usual. However, in the case of heavy rain, thunderstorms, or choppy waters caused by strong winds, the captain will use their expertise and knowledge of the boat performance and the lake to determine whether the service can be executed safely or if it needs to be cancelled. Decisions regarding cancellations are at the sole discretion of the captain.
Refund Policy: If the service is cancelled due to weather by Taxi Boat Varenna, you will receive a full refund. Postponements or rescheduling to a different date are subject to boat availability and client agreement.
This clause is valid only if initiated by Taxi Boat Varenna.
These decisions are taken based on actual water conditions on the day of the service.
You will be notified by email or with a phone-call, if very last minute due to a sudden change in conditions, then in person at the dock.
on SHARED GROUP tours - no, dogs or any other animals are not allowed on shared group tours as other participants might be afraid or have allergies.
On PRIVATE tour - yes, you can bring your dog along. They are not allowed to get on the seats and have to stay on the floor.
On PRIVATE tour - yes, you can bring your dog along. They are not allowed to get on the seats and have to stay on the floor.
SHARED GROUP tours - no, they stick to a specific itinerary and there are not stops for swimming.
PRIVATE tours - To swim in the lake, you can ask the captain who will find a beach equipped for swimming safely. You cannot swim from the boat. Minimum duration of the booking needs to be 2 hours.
Time spent off the boat and swimming will influence the itinerary.
PRIVATE tours - To swim in the lake, you can ask the captain who will find a beach equipped for swimming safely. You cannot swim from the boat. Minimum duration of the booking needs to be 2 hours.
Time spent off the boat and swimming will influence the itinerary.
No, jumping from the Civera Bridge is strictly forbidden. Any content you may see online or on social media showing people jumping from the bridge or boats passing underneath is against local regulations. We do not support or offer such activities.
Additionally, Nesso does not have a pier for us to moor and allow passengers to disembark, therefore you can see this landmark on our private boat cruises only from the boat at a safe distance in compliance with the local rules and regulations.
Additionally, Nesso does not have a pier for us to moor and allow passengers to disembark, therefore you can see this landmark on our private boat cruises only from the boat at a safe distance in compliance with the local rules and regulations.
For PRIVATE tours - if you are running late, the boat can wait for you. You need to inform us or your service will be canceled with respective penalty fee. If you are, for example, 15 minutes late for a booking of "N1 - Classic tour, 1h" the route of the cruise itinerary will be modified and shortened in order to end the service by the end of the booked time slot as usually there are other bookings right after. If you are very late and arrive to the departure point very close to the end of your booked slot, then unfortunately you have missed this experience and will not be able to board. In and case of the delay, according to booking policy and terms and conditions, you will be charged for the full duration of the booked service even if you were late or missed it completely. Full policy available for each specific service type during online booking and also sent to you in the confirmation email.
On SHARED GROUP tours - no delay is possible as the tour needs to leave on the scheduled departure time. Waiting for anyone running late would affect all of the other participants who have booked the same experience. If you are late, most likely you will miss the tour entirely. If that is the case, there will be no refund and there might be an additional penalty fee - Full policy available for each specific service type during online booking and also sent to you in the confirmation email.
On SHARED GROUP tours - no delay is possible as the tour needs to leave on the scheduled departure time. Waiting for anyone running late would affect all of the other participants who have booked the same experience. If you are late, most likely you will miss the tour entirely. If that is the case, there will be no refund and there might be an additional penalty fee - Full policy available for each specific service type during online booking and also sent to you in the confirmation email.
In winter and low season, generally, it is possible to book a boat service also the same day.
In summer usually we are booked out weeks or even months in advance and availability for last minute bookings is very rare.
In summer usually we are booked out weeks or even months in advance and availability for last minute bookings is very rare.
Yes, you can. Write us an email with your enquiry and we'll provide all the information necessary in order to secure a booking for your clients.
No, for a photo-shooting on board you need to book that specific service type. Go to section Photoshooting.
It is a different service type and price is higher than a sightseeing cruise.
You need to arrange a photographer on your own. If needed, we can provide contacts of few local photographers.
Regular standard sightseeing tour - boat follows the route outlined on our website cruising alongside the coast, captain slows down in front of various sites and gives a commentary on what you see. It’s a smooth cruise with no interruptions.
Boat service for a photo-shoot - the photographer asks to stop and stay in front of a specific site for longer period, often the boat needs to be repositioned, make 360° turns to return back in front of the site for the best shot etc. Not a smooth and uninterrupted cruise therefore the distance / sites that can be covered in the same time are less while technical requirements form the captain are more complex.
It is a different service type and price is higher than a sightseeing cruise.
You need to arrange a photographer on your own. If needed, we can provide contacts of few local photographers.
Regular standard sightseeing tour - boat follows the route outlined on our website cruising alongside the coast, captain slows down in front of various sites and gives a commentary on what you see. It’s a smooth cruise with no interruptions.
Boat service for a photo-shoot - the photographer asks to stop and stay in front of a specific site for longer period, often the boat needs to be repositioned, make 360° turns to return back in front of the site for the best shot etc. Not a smooth and uninterrupted cruise therefore the distance / sites that can be covered in the same time are less while technical requirements form the captain are more complex.
on SHARED GROUP tours - no, alcoholic beverages or any food is not allowed on board.
on PRIVATE tours - yes, you can bring your own drinks and / or snacks.
Red wine is not allowed as it stains heavily.
Bringing your own drinks and food, do bring also glasses (plexiglas or paper) and anything else that you might require to have your aperitif on board in a respectful manner to the boat.
Do not bring any oily or messy food that could soil the boat.
on PRIVATE tours - yes, you can bring your own drinks and / or snacks.
Red wine is not allowed as it stains heavily.
Bringing your own drinks and food, do bring also glasses (plexiglas or paper) and anything else that you might require to have your aperitif on board in a respectful manner to the boat.
Do not bring any oily or messy food that could soil the boat.
Here is a general shortened excerpt regarding cancellation. During the online booking process you will be shown FULL policy, terms & conditions for the specific service that you have selected (they are different!). You will receive the full policy also with your booking confirmation email for easier reference in future.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Free Cancellation: Up to 72 hours before the service, with a full refund of any pre-paid amount.
Cancellation Penalty:
• 72 to 48 hours before the service: 50% of the total service cost.
• Less than 48 hours before the service or in case of a no-show: 100% of the total service cost.
Note: Cancellation requests are only accepted in written form via email.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Free Cancellation: Up to 72 hours before the service, with a full refund of any pre-paid amount.
Cancellation Penalty:
• 72 to 48 hours before the service: 50% of the total service cost.
• Less than 48 hours before the service or in case of a no-show: 100% of the total service cost.
Note: Cancellation requests are only accepted in written form via email.
SHARED GROUP tours - no, you cannot bring your luggage on board. There is limited space on the boat. You need to leave your luggage at your accommodation or in a luggage deposit in town. If you are trying to get from Varenna to Bellagio, you cannot use our shared group tours as a transfer. Instead you need to book a private transfer for you and your luggage.
PRIVATE tour - generally, yes. However it depends on the number of luggage items, duration of the service booked and how many passengers you are due to limited space.
LUGGAGE DEPOSIT - no, we do NOT have a place where to store your luggage for you. Check luggage deposit options in town or policy of your accommodation regarding leaving luggage before or after your check-in and check-out.
PRIVATE tour - generally, yes. However it depends on the number of luggage items, duration of the service booked and how many passengers you are due to limited space.
LUGGAGE DEPOSIT - no, we do NOT have a place where to store your luggage for you. Check luggage deposit options in town or policy of your accommodation regarding leaving luggage before or after your check-in and check-out.
Getting in and out of the boat can be challenging for some individuals due to the steps. At different mooring locations, there can be a height difference of 40cm.
It's important to move quickly when embarking and disembarking.
In the past, we have had some seniors and larger passengers who had not considered this and experienced major difficulty.
Before booking, consider the safety of these individuals and also of our staff who are put at risk while helping them get on and off the boat.
It's important to move quickly when embarking and disembarking.
In the past, we have had some seniors and larger passengers who had not considered this and experienced major difficulty.
Before booking, consider the safety of these individuals and also of our staff who are put at risk while helping them get on and off the boat.
No, there is no bathroom on board. If you have booked a Private boat cruise of 2 hours or longer and anticipate that you or your travel companions will need a stop for a bathroom, please advise to the captain right at the beginning of the tour so that he can plan ahead possible mooring spots for you to get off the boat and find a bathroom on land (a caffè in a town or public restroom).
On longer cruises there is a part of the lake where for quite a while there are no possibilities for a stop. Therefore, it's important to rather discuss this sooner than later.
On longer cruises there is a part of the lake where for quite a while there are no possibilities for a stop. Therefore, it's important to rather discuss this sooner than later.
Yes!
SHARED GROUP tours - the end of cruise by standard is always Varenna. During the online booking process (or also same day during the cruise) you can choose the option to get off in Bellagio.
Choosing this option you will skip the last part of the cruise itinerary from Bellagio to Varenna (Fiumelatte, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi) ending the cruise approximately 10 min earlier than the rest of the group.
Shared group tours depart ONLY from Varenna, with drop-off options limited to Varenna or Bellagio - no other locations are available.
PRIVATE TOUR - during online booking you can choose to end the tour in Varenna, Bellagio or Menaggio.
Upon request it is possible to tailor your private boat service and end the cruise in any other town with suitable pier (additional cost will apply depending on distance and location of the drop-off point requested).
SHARED GROUP tours - the end of cruise by standard is always Varenna. During the online booking process (or also same day during the cruise) you can choose the option to get off in Bellagio.
Choosing this option you will skip the last part of the cruise itinerary from Bellagio to Varenna (Fiumelatte, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi) ending the cruise approximately 10 min earlier than the rest of the group.
Shared group tours depart ONLY from Varenna, with drop-off options limited to Varenna or Bellagio - no other locations are available.
PRIVATE TOUR - during online booking you can choose to end the tour in Varenna, Bellagio or Menaggio.
Upon request it is possible to tailor your private boat service and end the cruise in any other town with suitable pier (additional cost will apply depending on distance and location of the drop-off point requested).
