We are a middle aged couple and going to be in Lake Como for 2 and a half days in early May at the start of our ten day northern Italian trip. We will later spend time in the Cinque Terre and Venice. While in Lake Como we were hoping to do a day trip to Switzerland. We are researching either Lucerne or the small towns leading up to St. Moritz. We know Lugano is closer but have been told that since it is in the Italian part of Switzerland, culturally it will be more similar to Italy where we will be for most of our trip. What we would like to know is whether Lucerne or the St. Moritz areas are feasible for day trips and if so, which would be the most appealing and why. We want to feel like we are in Switzerland if we are driving 2 hrs. each way in the rental car. We would like to know how much time we will spend by car when crossong the borders of these two countries. We greatly appreciate your responses!
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
According to Google maps, the drive to Lucerne would be 2 hrs. 40 min. on the A2. When driving the autobahn in Switzerland, you have to purchase, and display on the windshield, a Switzerland Vignette, or sticker. In 2011, the price was around 40 swiss francs. Sometimes you can find these for sale on ebay. That's what we did last year. There are no delays in crossing the borders any more. Just purchase your sticker at the auto/gas station at the border and drive on through. Lucerne is a beautiful city, however, an almost three hour drive each way may cut into your time there.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33513 posts
A couple of things here - First, the Vignettes are non transferable. They have adhesive which destroys the vignette when they are removed from the windscreen. If they are just stuck up by scotch tape they are illegal. They need to stick on, like an inspection sticker. If you buy them from a reseller or ebay they are illegal. It is very easy to get a train to Luzern or Lugano. Parking is not particularly easy in either - I've tried. St Moritz is unique, especially in midwinter when the horse races happen on the lake. We didn't find a great deal to do there - its pretty much above our budget - so we walked around the lake and left.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1259 posts
Hi Tom. This would be a very long day trip if starting in Bellagio. Look at a good road map and you will see what I mean. Possible, but you would be spending a great deal of your day driving. Enjoy your trip!