Lake Trasimeno: Ferry to Isola Maggiore, Towns and Winter Timetable

Lake Trasimeno is a large lake on Umbria’s border with Tuscany. It has three islands, lakeside towns with train stations and the site of one of Hannibal’s great victories. This guide covers the ferry to Isola Maggiore, with current timetables and fares, plus which town to choose and what changes in winter.

Last updated: November 3, 2026

Plan an Isola Maggiore day in four steps

1. Train to Passignano sul Trasimeno. The station and the ferry pier are both in town.
2. Buy a return ticket at the pier (€7.30 from Passignano). The island landing fee is added on top.
3. Take the boat to Isola Maggiore, about 20 minutes direct. Some boats stop at Tuoro first.
4. Note the last boat back before you explore. Some boats from the island go to Tuoro, not Passignano.

Which Lake Trasimeno town to choose

Ferry data comes from the Busitalia ferry timetable page, and station names come from Umbria Tourism (checked November 2026).

Lake Trasimeno ferries: timetable and fares

Busitalia runs the boats. The current timetable is valid from October 25 to December 31, 2026, and it covers one line: Passignano–Isola Maggiore–Tuoro. The crossing takes about 20 minutes from Passignano and about 10 minutes from Tuoro’s Navaccia pier.

Times come from the official timetable PDF (checked November 2026). Some boats stop at Tuoro before the island; for example, the 10:00 a.m. weekend boat reaches Isola Maggiore at about 10:35 a.m. The last boat leaves the island at 6:55 p.m. on weekdays and at 6:25 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and some boats from the island go to Tuoro rather than Passignano, so check the destination in the PDF. The timetable after December 31, 2026 had not been published when we checked.

Fares come from the Busitalia fares page (checked November 2026). Tickets to Isola Maggiore also carry a landing fee set by the town of Tuoro sul Trasimeno: €2 from November 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027 (it was €3 from March to October 2026). Discounts do not apply to it.

Two current limits matter. First, the Isola Polvese ferry from San Feliciano has been suspended since June 29, 2026, with no restart date. Second, because of low water levels, Busitalia warns that boats may run at reduced capacity and that bikes and strollers that are not folded cannot board for now.

Isola Maggiore

Isola Maggiore is the only island on the lake with a village. Near the pier, the lace museum tells how a local marchioness started an Irish crochet lace tradition here in 1904. A path climbs to the church of San Michele Arcangelo at the highest point, where visits are guided through the local tourist office. You can also see the spot where St. Francis is said to have landed. The Castello Guglielmi on the island’s tip is abandoned and cannot be visited, according to Umbria Tourism.

Allow two to three hours on the island. On weekdays, the late-morning boat out and an afternoon boat back give you that time.

Castiglione del Lago

Castiglione del Lago sits on a promontory on the western shore. Its main sight is the Palazzo della Corgna, which leads through a covered walkway to the Rocca del Leone, the medieval fortress, according to Umbria Tourism. The official pages online were out of date when we checked, so we do not list a price or opening hours. Call +39 075 951099 to confirm before you go.

Tuoro and the Battle of Lake Trasimene

In 217 BC, traditionally dated to June, Hannibal trapped and destroyed a Roman army under Flaminius on the lake’s northern shore. In Tuoro, the documentation center on Hannibal and the battle uses 4D projections, videos and panels to explain what happened. It is at Piazza Garibaldi 7, according to Umbria Tourism. The town also marks a historical itinerary with 12 stops across the battlefield. The hours online date from 2023, so contact the center (+39 075 825220) before you go.

Getting to Lake Trasimeno

Trains stop at Passignano sul Trasimeno, Tuoro sul Trasimeno, Magione and Castiglione del Lago, as well as at nearby Terontola. From October 12 to December 12, 2026, works on the Florence–Terontola–Foligno and Florence–Chiusi lines change some train times, and some trains skip Tuoro, according to RFI (checked November 2026). For tickets and validation, see our guide to trains in Italy.

With a bike, the Ciclovia del Trasimeno loops all the way around the lake on about 58 kilometers of paved and dirt paths, according to Umbria Tourism. Expect mud between Castiglione and Borghetto after rain.

Lake Trasimeno events

• Palio delle Barche, Passignano: a boat race and festival held in late July.
• Coloriamo i Cieli, Castiglione del Lago: a kite festival. In 2026 it ran from May 1 to 3, according to Umbria Tourism.
• Tuoro 217 a.C.: a historical reenactment whose chariot event, the Tiro della Biga, takes place every August 14, according to Living Tuoro.

The 2027 dates had not been published when we checked.

How to fit Lake Trasimeno into an Umbria trip

Passignano has trains from both Perugia and the Florence direction (via Terontola), so the lake works as a day trip from either city or as a stop between them. Our Umbria itinerary offers the lake as an alternative to Gubbio in its longer versions. For a base, see the Perugia travel guide, and for other lakes, read our guide to the lakes in Italy. The Umbria travel guide covers the rest of the region.

What to skip at Lake Trasimeno

• Skip Isola Polvese for now. Its ferry has been suspended since June 2026.
• Skip a winter boat from Castiglione del Lago. Until December 31, 2026, boats run only from Passignano and Tuoro.
• Skip bringing a bike or an unfolded stroller on the ferry while the low-water limits apply.
• Skip relying on the last boat back. Aim for an earlier one and keep the last as a backup.

Lake Trasimeno: frequently asked questions

How do you get to Isola Maggiore?

Take the Busitalia ferry from Passignano sul Trasimeno, which takes about 20 minutes, or from Tuoro, which takes about 10 minutes. A one-way ticket from Passignano costs €4.80, plus the island landing fee.

Do the Lake Trasimeno ferries run in winter?

Yes, but on one line only. Until December 31, 2026, boats run between Passignano, Isola Maggiore and Tuoro.

Can you visit Lake Trasimeno without a car?

Yes. Passignano is the easiest choice, with its station and ferry pier both in town. Tuoro and Castiglione del Lago also have stations, but until December 31, 2026 there are no boats from Castiglione, and Tuoro boats leave from the Navaccia pier.

Which is the best town on Lake Trasimeno?

Passignano is the easiest for an island day by train. Castiglione del Lago has the most to see on land, and Tuoro is the place for Hannibal and the battle.