My family is taking a trip through Italy and right now I am trying to get from Lake Como to Monterosso in the Cinqua Terre. It looks like it takes about 6 hours by train and 3 by car. Would love to get there in half the time but do not need or want the car after I get there. Are there drivers that will take you there for a reasonable rate. We have a party of 5?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11845 posts
Where on Lake Como are you staying? That makes a huge difference on the time it takes.
Did you ask locally -- at your hotel -- about a recommended driver.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16221 posts
I don't know where exactly on Lake Como you plan to stay (it's not a small lake and there are many towns to choose from), but if you can drive from anyplace on the lake to Monterosso in only 3 hours I'll propose you as the next F1 driver for the Ferrari team. Maybe if you travel at night, when the freeways in the Milan area are empty.
The train goes only along the eastern shore of the lake (or Como itself, at the tip of the south-western branch)
I'm pretty sure that any private driver will want at least 400 euro for that distance.
In any case, tell us the town on the lake where you plat to stay, and we'll try to give you some options.
Posted by
Green Bay
21303 posts
From the city of Como to Monterosso, viamichelin says 3 hours and 30 minutes driving, and Trenitalia can do it in 3 hours and 52 minutes, not enough time to be a deciding factor. From Varenna, its 4 hours and 15 minutes driving, 4 hours and 30 minutes by train, ditto the comparison. From Varenna its 176 EUR full fare, less if some of the 5 are kids, and even less if you buy nonrefundable tickets a few months in advance.
Rick is way too busy to answer any questions right now, in fact he's always too busy. He lets a bunch of volunteers answer the easy questions, and some hard ones too.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7177 posts
I agree that viamichelin.com is more accurate for driving times than some other websites. With that said, DO NOT expect to duplicate those times - no way, no how. Those times are based on ideal situations; no traffic (ha ha ha), no accidents or road work, no rest stops, no dining stops, etc etc etc. Use them as a base estimate only and don't count on matching them.
My advice would be to take the train and don't rent a car just to shorten the time, which may turn out to be an hour or so, and may even just be minutes. Enjoy the train.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32401 posts
As someone else mentioned, it would help to know which town on Lago di Como you'll be starting from. It's actually a very easy trip by train. Also, when is this trip taking place?
Generally speaking, you'll need to first get from Lake Como to Milano Centrale, and then connect with one of the direct (no changes) trains to Monterosso. You do not need a car for that trip.
With more information, more specific suggestions can be provided.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16726 posts
Right. We need to know from which station you're starting from as it can make a big difference. For instance, if you are staying in the city of Como and had input Como Nord Lago station as your point of departure, you'll get noticeably different results than starting from Como S. Giovanni, which is just across town.