Hello, My SO and I will be staying in the Como Lake region for the Easter long weekend. We haven't decided on a particular location yet, but are tempted to rent a car so we can freely explore all the locations -- particularly because it appears at least some transport options aren't available over Easter.

I just want to make sure touring by car isn't a horrible idea, in that region and at that time. I know it will be busy, we just don't want to get stuck in hours-long traffic jams.

Thanks.

Traffic jams? Around the edge of the lake and away from the various towns? Somehow seems unlikely to me even though those roads are only two lanes wide.

Where are you picking up the car? Which day?

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTo..._Lombardy.html

It depends where you stay. On the west shore it makes sense to me to enable day trips to Lugano or Soglio.

I'm not sure anyone can fully answer your question(s) until you tell us where you'll be staying and where you want to go. It would also be helpful to know where you're flying in and out for the weekend and exactly how many days you have.

The east shore is good if you want to go into the mountains east of the lake. There is some beautiful scenery south of Morbegno on SP1/SS470.

Jean: thanks for the tip on SP1/SS470, I love exploring out-of-the-way spots.

We'll be staying in Menaggio from Fri Apr 3 to Mon Apr 6, after arriving in Como Friday by train in the early afternoon. We need to sort out travel to Menaggio -- hence my question about whether to go by rental car, or boat/public transport.

Take a ferry up the lake from Como, a beautiful way to arrive.

Public transport on and around Lake Como:
Bus Como - Menaggio - Colico: about every 2 hrs
Bus Como - Bellagio: about every 2 hrs
Bus Menaggio - Porlezza - Lugano: about every 2 hrs
Train Lecco - Varenna - Colico - Sondrio - Tirano and connnecting train to St. Moritz: every 2 hrs
Train Colico - Chiavenna and connecting bus to St. Moritz: every 2 hrs
Boat Como - Tremezzo - Bellagio - Menaggio - Varenna: Como dp 10.00, 10.30, 12.00, 15.20
Hydrofoil Como - Bellagio - Menaggio - Varenna: Como dp 7.33, 9.00, 12.25, 13.30, 14.20, 17.10, 18.10, 19.20
Car ferries Varenna - Bellagio - Menaggio: about every hr
Bus Argegno - San Fedele - Lanzo: only few departures
Bus Dongo - Garzeno: only few departures