We will be in italy in September 2018 and are wondering the best way to travel by train from Sorrento to Monterosso di mare. We will be there for 3 nights and then heading to Lake Como area then Venice.
From the cinqueterre area to Venice via Lake Como is it worth it to rent a car or better to travel by train the entire time.
We will have 5 days to travel from cinque Terra to Venice.
Car or train? What is recommended in como area?
Any ideas are appreciated and travel tips are most welcome!
Posted by
Chicago
8228 posts
For the first part, Sorrento to Monterosso your best ways (depending on how much you want to spend) are to take the Campania Express from Sorrento to Naples and then to either fly to Genoa and take train from there to Monterosso or to take a train probably with one change in Rome to La Spezia and then transfer to another train that will take you to Monterosso.
You just have to get to Naples and then decide how you want to get to Monterosso based on the above options.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you very much!
Any thoughts on driving vs train?
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12037 posts
Here is what driving looks like---
Car is worthless while in/at CT/Monterosso and also Venice
Depending where at Lake Como you plan to go, a car may be useful.
When I had a rental car in Italy I avoided the toll roads ( which means a much longer travel time) because a) taking the secondary roads were more scenic ( but slower) and b) the tolls then worked out to something like $0.15 per mile on the high speed Autostrada
You will have to decide if the cost of a rental car, fuel, tolls, parking vs train makes sense for your situation
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1404 posts
My 2 cents:
Never drive from city to city. It is a waste of time.
if you want to visit several small towns, a car can be a good idea because local buses can be sparse and (IMO) hard to schedule.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you all very much for your replies. I believe we will avoid a car rental after hearing from all of you.
Another question...when in the Lake como area, what is the best place to stay in area. There are so many towns mentioned and so many choices. We are looking for charm, convenience, and clean. We do not want 5 stars but want it to be nice with views. Suggestions are welcome!
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
Varenna is a popular choice because it is easy to get to by train from Milan, and it is mid-lake with a lot of ferry connections. Bellagio, a 10 minute ferry ride from there is very popular.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Any info on Cadenabbia and the hotel Cadenabbia for a stay?
Posted by
Cincinnati, Ohio
303 posts
Another vote for Varenna on Lake Como! It is easily accessed by a local train from Milano Centrale to Varennna-Esino. It is absolutely beautiful! We stayed in Hotel du Lac, right on the shore and paid a bit extra to have a balcony. Every morning we had the complimentary breakfast on the terrace overlooking the water or in the window enclosed Florida room. Ferries to the rest of the lake are a short walk from the hotel. To stay in Bellagio you would have to take a ferry from Varenna. It is a bit more touristy. Varenna was less crowded. I wish we could go back tomorrow! Really! It is that wonderful!! No, you don't need a car. Italy's train system is extensive. (We also stayed in Monterroso and took the Intercity train to Milano Centrale and the local train to Varenna. You can buy the IC train tickets online, then the local train tickets ahead of time in Monterosso at the train station there.) You can move on to Venice from Milano Centrale on a fast Frecca train. ( Again, buy ahead of time online.) BTW--- be sure to buy a vaporetto pass for the number of days you will be in Venice! Wait until you see the arms coming up out of the Grand Canal!! And be sure to buy tickets to the Doges palace ahead of time or you will stand in line forever and watch the people with repurchased tickets go in ahead of you!!! You're going to have a great time!!