Train or Car?
 

My husband and I are spending a week in Provence this September then traveling to Lake Como. We will have a car in France and I am wondering if we should drive to Lake Como or ditch the car and take the train. Do we really need a car while up at the lake and can we count on a taxi to get us to the Milan airport by 6:30 the day we leave?

Hi, Linda, and welcome to the forum.

I see that you are new here - - how did I know that? click on your own name (this is one of the numerous useful tips that Fodors fails to tell you when they send you that first e-mail confirming your registration) - - we'll assume that you have also not taken the time to read the "HELP" (little tiny red letters in the upper lefthand corner) - - another oversight that Fodors fails to recommend to you to do.

Anyhow, you owe it to yourself to take a look there: http://www.fodors.com/forums/faqs.cfm - - especially http://www.fodors.com/forums/faqs.cfm#Q6 - - which I have listed below, in excerpt form, for you (my own emphasis added):

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Finally, create a title - make sure it is concise and clearly describes your message (<b>and destination</b>, if applicable) -- and write your message in the space provided

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Thus, when you re-post - - and you really <b>should</b> do that - - be sure and mention <b>(to and from) Lake Como</b> (or at least from France, to Italy) in your message header.

Best wishes,

Rex

I didn't know we had specific rules to follow when posting a new thread. OK, it may be clearer but no-one will tell me that I <b>should</b> do this and that.

I'm confused. Myriam, are you Linda?
I don't think you've been given specific rules, but I would think as a new poster you would welcome helpful hints as to how you can most effectively use this forum. Would you prefer to post ineffectively? How strange.

Regarding the question:
We had a car and drove to Bellagio where we parked the car in a private garage owned by the hotel. Four days later we unlocked the garage and drove off. In other words we were paying for four rental days that we didnt' need. Still, I suppose the train tickets would have cost us as much as those four rental days, so it's all even. But you really don't need a car if you are staying near the boats. Traveling the lake by boat is by far the best way. You don't mention where on the lake you're staying.

Yes, you should be able to book a taxi in advance and get to the airport as scheduled.

A few questions:
1. Will the car rental company allow you to drop off the car at Milan airport without a significant extra charge?
2. Are you planning to drive around the Lake Como area or just relax? Several Fodorites have recommended against driving around Lake Como if it's not necessary. And many hotels along the lake have only limited (if any) parking facilities.
3. How much time do you have?
4. From where in Provence are you starting for the journey to Lake Como?

I've taken the train from Nice to Lake Como (and back) and find it relaxing. Unless there is a particular reason for driving, I think you'd be better off taking the train. Once you're in Lake Como, the ferries and buses can take you where you'd most likely want to go.
Re your last night, before your Milan 6:30 am flight (assuming you mean Malpensa airport and not Linate), I think you would be better served to stay near the airport (or even in Milan itself...but be advised that taxi fares to Malpensa are HIGH...you'd want to take the airport express train).

I can guarantee you that you will NOT &quot;pay as much&quot; to take the train as you would to rent a car which you will not need to get around. Assuming you will divide some of your time between the three mid-lake towns of Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio, you can easily get to all three by either the foot ferries or the combo car and passenger ferries which run frequently.

I cannot speak to the guarantee of getting to the Milan airport from the Lake by 06:30 (which will more than likely require transportation other than the train) but I would try to nail THAT part down one way or the other as soon as you possibly can.

Have you checked the difference in cost for renting the car longer vs. taking the train in Italy? Generally car rentals in Italy are more expensive and CDW is required. And there's often an extra charge for dropping off in a different country. Whereas point-to-point train tickets in Italy at least are fairly cheap. Also I've heard driving around Bellagio can be somewhat hair-raising.

ttt