Transport options to towns in Lake Como?
 

We are planning a last minute trip to Lake Como areas. Many details are still being worked out, but we are tentatively planning to fly into Zurich and take the train to Chiasso (appears to be the closest point to Lake Como with train service). The question is - once we are there will we need to rent a car to get to from the train station to whichever town we are staying in and/or to adequately explore the area? Might it be possible to take a bus or taxi from the train station to our apartment or hotel? And then use ferries to explore the area? I realize this may depend on exactly where we end up staying, but any general guidance or thoughts would be appreciated. Our preference would be to take a bus or private car service from the train station that could supply a car seat so we do not have to carry our 2 year old daughter's car seat with us all the way from the U.S. for one car trip.

From the Zurich Airport, you can take a short train ride to Zurich HB, where you can catch a direct train to Como S. Giovanni, a station in the city of Como at the south end of the lake. For some times of day, you may need to make another connection at Bellinzona. The trip takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on the connections. You can check schedules here:

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/USA/en/index.shtml

Forgot to say, once at Como S Giovanni, it's a 10-minute walk or taxi to the center of town where you can take boats or buses to other parts of the lake.

Any reason why you can't fly to Malpensa Airport (Milan)? It's less than an hour from Como via private car service.

Depending on how last minute, you might be able to get a cheaper train ticket by booking Zurich/Milan instead of Zurich/Como. You can get discounted Smart fares (as low as 30chf) on the Zurich/Milan route which stops in Como (and also Chiasso). There are two levels of Smart fares (30chf & 45chf - regular price is 58chf) depending how far in advance you purchase.
http://www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm

The next stop after Chiasso on most (perhaps all) trains from Zurich is Como S. Giovanni. It's a short taxi ride (2 miles?) from there to the ferry dock. You can see where the ferries go here:

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/com/nlc.html

If it's a short visit, and you're returning to Zurich to fly home, you might find it easier to rent and return the car at the Zurich airport. You could probably hire private transport from Como and/or Chiasso and eliminate some of the hassle. Otherwise, depending on the location of your lodging, it's at least two trains, one taxi, at least one ferry and probably a second taxi to get from airport to lodging and repeat of the same from lodging to airport.

If you plan to hire a car anyway---and you can drop it in CH---then get off at Lugano, get the car and drive an hour to Lago Como. Much cheaper rates and faster.

Thanks, we are considering whether to rent a car to be able to explore the area more . . . but I think we'd also like to take the train through Switzerland (more relaxing and easier to see the scenery when you're not driving), so maybe the Lugano option would work. Is there any problem with renting in Switzerland but driving into Italy?

In 2003 we stayed in Varenna on Lake Como and one of the train lines did stop there. It is then a short walk to the dock area where the ferry will take you to Bellagio or Menagio.
Varenna is a wonderful small town with restaurants along the lake and gardens in an old monestary (I think).
Have a great trip.

The Varenna-Esino station is on a different train route than Como S Giovanni. To reach Varenna from Zurich, you would have to travel all the way south to Milano Centrale and then switch to a northbound train to Varenna. The trip would take 6-7.5 hours.

No problem---just lower rates--but you must drop it back in CH to avoid a drop charge.

It looks like train into Como and ferry from Como to Tremezzo is probably the way to go - thanks, I did not realize we could train all the way into Como! Then we will need to figure out how to get up to our rental in Mezzegra. Maybe a bus, or is Tremezzo big enough to have land taxis?

The other issue is the price of the train ticket. We are actually planning to spend 2 nights in Lucerne before Como, but it appears as kybourbon noted that fares are MUCH cheaper (and faster) directly between cities. Zurich to Como is around $120, but Lucerne to Zurich is $250. I hate to backtrack, but it might be worth the hour back to Zurich to save $210 . . .

There are bus connections to Mezzegra. It looks like you would catch the C10 bus at Como, San Giovanni station, bound for Menaggio/Colico, but you need to double check this...

ellenem, Could you please advise on how to locate a private car service from Malpensa to Como and what the approximate cost would be? We're thinking of staying in Varenna.

Another Fodorite recommended this car service in a different thread:

http://www.davideguerrera.com/eng/index.html


Do you want car service to the town of Como or to Varenna? If Varenna, this option would probably be less pricey:

http://www.flytolake.com/home/index.php?lang=english

We had a private car pick us up a few years ago in Como at train station, and drive us to Bellagio, the hotel arranged the driver with a pool that they use, it worked out really good. On return he took us to Milan. I am jealous, a wonderful place.

Another alternative since you are staying mid lake is to take the train from Zurich airport and get off at Lugano - one change at Zurich main station. Travel first class and sit in the carriage with the panoramic roof to appreciate the view better.
Hire a car at Lugano and take the direct road along Lake Lugano in the direction of Gandria, Porlezza and then to Menaggio.

Another great advantages of Swiss Railways - the day before you travel you can book your luggage in at the station and they will transport it for you and arrange for it to be put on your flight so you only have to travel the next day with hand luggage. They think of the rest!

Ciao,
Zurich - Como by train. Then (even if the boat services on the lake is good) I think that if you rent a car it's the best choice. On the lake you can visit several small places that could be difficult to reach by boat or local buses and, by car, you could easily go to a lot of beautiful places on the mountains that are "enclosing" the lake!
Gianni (Milan Italy)

We've got two different people asking about transport to Lake Como. The second poster, LisaE, is not flying into Zurich.

Jean, Thanks for your suggestions. Will look into both services. Since this is a last-minute decision to go to Lake Como (we're flying into Milan two days prior to when our apartment rental in Florence begins), we're having trouble finding availability in any town around the lake.