Can anyone who has done this route or knows of anyone has driven this route, give advice if we are coming from Bellagio from where we might find the best driving route to Parma. I was thinking we’d taxi from Bellagio to Como and pick up a car there and proceed. Then I was told about all of the ring road traffic around Milan etc and encouraged to take the train. Well my husband really wants to drive. A friend of a friend said that Lecco would be better than Como as a starting point. I’ve google mapped it but geography has never been my strong suit. However it looks like outer Milan is unavoidable regardless of our starting point. Thoughts/advice gratefully appreciated.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Take a train to Milan and drive from there. This way you'll avoid two-thirds of the traffic circling the city, but you'll have to cope with the traffic inside it.
There is only one highway between Milan and Parma, the A1.
There is a congestion charge area in Milan and a ZTL in Parma.
Posted by
OP
63 posts
Thanks.
I was thinking about the Milan option.
We have parking with our accommodation in Parma and will be getting some sort of permit for that I believe.
Traffic is a fact of life I guess— especially in and around big cities. No way to avoid it🤷♀️.
Posted by
Boston
1740 posts
If you're taking a train to Milan, you might as well continue to Parma. In-city traffic is hard, backups on an autostrada are easy. The ring road around Milan is a modern road and if you hit a backup you're just delayed for a bit. Time it so you're there from 10-11 am or 2-3pm and chances are it won't be too crowded.
Posted by
OP
63 posts
Thanks Mike. We are from Canada where the automobile is almost always the default form of transportation. I haven’t had that much experience with European travel, but from what I’ve seen and the kind of advice I’ve been given, it almost seems it’s the other way around.
I think the other issue that we’re concerned about is the possibility of a train strike. Once, When we were in Italy a couple of years ago, a strike was looming. It did not ultimately happen, but it did cause us a great deal of stress. When you’re on a tight two-week timeline, the last thing you want to do or worry about in a foreign country when you don’t speak the language, is making alternate travel arrangements.
You have given me some clarification on the type of delays we might experience on the ring road. I was thinking it could be much longer. I appreciate the information. By the way, have you ever had to make alternative travel arrangements because of a train strike? Or do you know anyone who has? Would be interesting to know what people have done.
Posted by
Boston
1740 posts
I haven't been caught in a train strike. Many are announced, as required by Italian law, but few of them actually happen as the grievance is often resolved.
As you head south and if you have extra time you'll pass near two attractions that don't take long to enjoy.
Consider the Certosa of Pavia https://www.wantedinmilan.com/news/the-certosa-di-pavia-near-milan.html
or the town of Castell'Arquato https://www.wanderingitaly.com/blog/article/1139/castellarquato.