Less than two hours of flight link amsterdam (1h 45'), Berlin (1H 45'), Paris (1h 30'), and London (1 h) to Malpensa's Milanese Port of call, the international airport which is nearer to Lago Maggiore (about 20 km) than Milan.
It is possible to reach the lake's area by evry means of transport: the plane, and the train with its international line that touches the lake west shores (this line links Milan to Genoa, Zurich and Basel with Cisalpino, Milan to Paris with Standhal, both with stops at the main lake's railway stations).
By road, the links are inside of big European motorways: from Gottardo's tunnel (European itinerary E 35: Rome IT - Rotterdam NL), going towards the south , you reach Bellinzona and therefore the lake (from Basil it takes about two hours); the west coast of the lake is crossed by the Sempione's state road (European itinerary E 62: Milan IT - Nantes FR).
You can find there any meand of transport: car, camper-van to be rent, and train (with picturesque alpine itineraries) ferries and cableway (two means of transport that are faster then cars). Taxi-cabs and taxi-boats are also available for those who can't absolutely forgo comfort!