scubaair

We are still trying to finalize our plans from Paris to Italy with a stop in Switzerland and Como. I know that we would take a train from Paris to Lucerene, but from there - based on the travel times and since we are continuing to Florence, would it be fairly easy to rent a car in Lucerene and drive to Bellagio Lake Como and then on to Florence? Is this a crazy idea or quite doable? I would love the freedom of having the car and we would be able to drop it off in Florence. Thoughts?

jamikins

Have you looked into the cost of picking up a car in one country and dropping in another? It is likely very expensive...

neckervd

With a car, you may save about 1 hr between Lucerne and Bellagio (according to traffic jams at the Gotthard tunnel and to the car ferry timetables) and about nothing between Bellagio and Florence (according to traffic jams around Como, Milan and at the entry of Florence). Count about 70 EUR for road tolls and about 60 EUR for fuel.

jangita

I think you can assume at least 300 euro extra charge, if not more like 500 to take a rental car to another country.
We took the train, last year, from Como to Lucerne. We found it comfortable and painless.

PalenQ

Take the train to Lugano and then Como - just a few minutes further on - rent the car in Italy and save a ton in drop-off fees.

Are you just going to Lucerne in Switzerland and not the Alpine Wonderlands like the Jungfrau Region - in these areas cars are banned and must be parked at a princely fees and you must take mountain trains or cable ways, etc. You certainly do not need a car in Switzerland as trains are so so fantastic - for lots on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

If traveling in Switzerland for more than a few days look into the Swiss Pass, valid on trains, lake boats (great rides on Lake Lucerne!) city transports and give free entry to 470+ Swiss museums.