Anyone have a suggestion best way to get to Zurich from Lake Como? Is driving safe, easy? Do Aussies need International licence to drive in Italy/Switzerland?
Posts: 5 | Location: Australia | Registered: 19 April 2008
While driving IS safe, I strongly recommend you take the train. Not only will it be much less expensive, you will actually get to enjoy the scenery. The train ride from Como S. Giovanni Station to Zurich will take about 4 hrs. There are trains that won't require any changes at all, others with one change of trains. Look for Como S. Giovanni-Chiasso-Lugano-Zurich. (This is the main artery Milan-Zurich.) Trains run like clock work. The longest delay I've ever experienced on that sector, was 40 minutes - and that was at Easter, when virtually every Italian working in Switzerland (and visa-versa) goes home to see family. Christmas/New Year would be another such phenomenon. Outside of those periods, you can count on an on-time departure/arrival.
An international license is definitely required for DRIVING in Switzerland (not sure about Italy), and you will also have to have insurance, which should be included if you RENT a car. Be aware that some car rental companies do NOT allow taking the car into another country. And, a one-way car rental will be expensive.
Posts: 113 | Location: San Jose, CA | Registered: 09 May 2008
I'll second that - take the train. Much less hassle. And, depending on what day you'd be trying to make the journey, a helluva lot shorter, too. Hubby & I drove that route a few years ago on a Sunday, and got stuck in massive traffic jams with all the other Swiss folks heading home after a weekend holiday on the lakes. Took us about 3x as long to make the drive as it should have.
Thanks heaps for that info. Another question? What about travel from Milan airport to Bellagio/Lake Como? Again driving, bus, train? Any help/suggestions appreciated!
Posts: 5 | Location: Australia | Registered: 19 April 2008
I took the train from Milan (in town) to Varenna and it was super easy and quick - I think the total travel time was an hour at the most, and trains leave quite frequently. If you're leaving from the airport, check out this blog - it has some good current information on the train from Malpensa to Como.
It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to. ~J.R.R. Tolkien
Posts: 535 | Location: Ohio | Registered: 27 December 2006
