private transport Como to Lucca

Google the following: Noleggio con Conducente Como Noleggio con conducente (or NCC) means Car Hire with Driver.
Many websites will come up. I know that an NCC from Florence to Milan Malpensa costs over 700 Euro (almost $1,000), therefore from Como to Lucca is going to be more than $1,000. Isn't there anybody in your party who could drive a rental minivan or large car? I'm renting a minivan next week in Florence for 2 weeks at $1,100 for the full two weeks ($80/day approx.).

I had no idea of a cost for this transport. I've heard the drive thru como and Milan is difficult?

Tom I don't know anything about the drivers, sorry, we use public transportation when in Italy. But where are you staying in Lucca? They have recently put up the cameras for the dreaded ZTL's, so you must be very careful where you drive. We love Lucca and have stayed there several times, but driving is very limited in Lucca and parking is non existent. You must park outside the walls if you are renting a vehicle, so be prepared. I am sure you can drop off the person, but you must find out the exact directions from your hotel/albergo. Sorry I can't give you more information on the drivers.

There is no difficulty in the drive. If you know how to drive on a freeway in Illinois, you know how to drive from Como to Lucca. You get on the A9 freeway at Como then you will be on a freeway all the way until you exit at Lucca (on the A-11 freeway). First you follow directions to Milano (A9-A8), then to Bologna (A1), then to Firenze (A1), then to Pisa (A11). If you drive in Chicago, you can drive from Como to Lucca. The only challenge might be driving at the Cinque Terre. The last couple of miles are on narrow road. I suggest you drive to Monterosso. From Lucca take freeway to Viareggio, then the A12 to Genova. Exit at Levanto and follow directions to Levanto and Cinque Terre. To Monterosso the road is easier than the other towns and parking is more plentiful too. To jump from town to town, however, at the Cinque Terre, one needs to get on trains. Not sure about boat excursions from Monterosso, never taken one. Lucca, inside the city walls, is closed to non resident traffic. If your hotel is inside the walls, ask about parking arrangements and entry permits for guests.

Hi, I have so far found a private transport from Menaggio to Lucca for 465 Euro. Not bad I think considering time and money of bus, boats and trains. Do you think?. I know it would be less but does this sound like better option?
Thanks

Just a comment on Roberto's comment about the ferry from Monterosso. I did take the ferry from Monterosso to Riomaggiore last month. The seas were calm enough for the ferry to run, but good grief, trying to get up the gangplank to the boat or back down it to shore was an adventure. At Monterosso there is an actual docking area but in the other towns the captain just nosed in to the rock and held it there with the engine while people walked down the pitching gangplank. I would advise against this mode of transport for a semi-handicapped person.

465 euro is not too bad. By train for 5 people it would not be much less, once you include the auto/bus transportation from Menaggio to Como, the train fare, plus the taxi from the Lucca station to the hotel (if not within walking distance). Obviously a rental car for a day would be much less (maybe 130-150 euro max, all inclusive of insurance gas and tolls, for a large car), but if you don't feel like driving, that's the next best option. But if you also want to go around later (Cinque Terre, Tuscany etc.) you might want to consider renting a car for a few days, not just for the Menaggio to Como. All these private cars and drivers are going to add up.