apsisusa

I am planning a vacation to celebrate our 30th anniversary and will stay at Lake Como for three days and then consider to drive to either Interlaken or Zermatt. We will have 4 free days and one extra last day to dive from Switzland back to Milan airport.

Can you guys advise how to drive from Lake Como to Interlaken or Zermatt? How long will it take for driving? Will we have enough time to go to both places or should we just pick one spot?

We would really like to go to Interlaken but worry we may not have enough time.

Also, where I can get a map with the driving roads (not just highway)?

If we decide to go to Zermatt, can you recommend a hotel?

Budman

Both places are around a 3-hour drive. Be aware that if you drive on the Autoroutes in Switzerland, you will need to purchase a Vignette which will cost you 40SFr.

apsisusa

Thanks for your advise.

What is "Vignette"? Also, what is "Autoroutes in Switzerland"?

Budman

A vignette is a toll sticker needed to drive on the autoroutes (major highways) in Switzerland. They are marked in Red signs in Switzerland, and in Italy, they are marked with Green signs. In Italy, you pay your tolls at a toll booth. In Switzerland, if you are caught on a major highway without a vignette, it is a hefty fine. The Cops hang out on entrances/exits to catch you.

apsisusa

Dear Budman,

It's nice to know Vignette. Thanks.

Where can I purchase a Vignette in Switzerland?

altamiro

>Where can I purchase a Vignette in Switzerland?

At the border or at a post office. Most gas station will sell it too.

Btw. you can't drive to Zermatt.

apsisusa

Can you guys give me a direction regarding how to drive from Lake Como to Interlaken? I mean from Lake Como to the Switzerland boarder and after that--- drive to what town, take what route...etc so eventually I will arrive Interlaken.

I can't find a map that is detailed enough showing the roads & towns so I can pick the route. Anybody knows where to get such road map?

Since it will take only about 3 hours from Lake Como to Interlaken I have decided to visit Interlaken. Now I would like to know more details about how to pick the roads to Interlaken.

Thanks for your help.

Budman

I would check on mapquest.com or google maps or ViaMichelin.com.

altamiro

>Anybody knows where to get such road map?


At any gas station in Italy or Switzerland.

Budman

You can get maps on line (Amazon) or at most bookstores. Do some google searches on maps. The 1:400,000 should be fine, but if you want some more detail, get the l:200,000.

W9London

We printed out the map and instruction via http://www.rac.co.uk . Click Route Planner and make sure you un-tick UK-only box.

apsisusa

Thanks for your help. I went to MapQuest and now get some more detail road maps.

Still have some questions-----

Should I go back to Milan and take the highway to Switzerland or should I head direct north from Lake Como?

I will stay at Bellagio. If I head direct north to Switzerland, shoud I take the east side of the Lake or the west side?

Showing in the map, on the east side of Lake Como there is one highway SS36 heading toward north to the Switzerland boarder. Do you guys suggest to take this route?

I like to experience driving the winding mountain roads in Switzerland. So if I drive south from Lake Como to somewhere near Milan and take that highway, will I still have the experience driving the winding mountain roads?

Hope you guys can give me some more advises. Thanks.

apsisusa

I plan to drive from Interlaken to Zermatt and I know Zermatt will not allow any car in the town.

Do you know where is the point that I have to park my car and take the train to Zermatt?

bobthenavigator

Tasch, but consider Brig and train in.

altamiro

Just one thing: if you drive from Interlaken towards Brig, you can drive to Kandersteg. There you will have to load your car on a train (about 30 Fr) which takes it through the 15 km long Lötschberg tunnel. There is NO parallel road. From Goppenstein on the other tunnel portal, you can drive again.

apsisusa

Does anybody know if I have to prepare an internatinal driver license to be able to drive in Italy & Switzerland?

Budman

You are supposed to have an International Driver's Permit when traveling in Austria and Italy. You can get one at AAA, and they are good for a year (rip off in my opinion). They won't ask you for one when you rent the car, but I would hate to see what would happen if you got stopped without one.

Any horror stories out there?