Venice to Lake Como

Haven’t been to Lake Como but that’s a very long drive (3+hours) for a day trip

Most car rentals won’t open til 8-8:30 you’d need to pick up car night before then figure out where you’ll park it that night
They’ll also be closed by 5-6 so again another night that car will be parked somewhere

Lake Garda is closer, more doable

If you visit Lake Garda, you could take a train to Peschiera del Garda, then explore the lake by ferry (they have a hop on, hop off option).

According to https://www.viamichelin.com/ Venice to Varenna (for example) is:

Time: 04h04 (02h11 on motorways)
Distance: 286 km (232 km on motorways)
Costs: €43.27 (Tolls €16.20 + Fuel consumption €27.07)

That is assuming no stopping for any reason, so add 10-25% to the time. And that of course doesn't include time to get from your hotel in car-less Venice to the car.
I would say this is way too far for a day trip.

I love Venice, but five days would be a lot of Venice, even for me. How taking a train to Varenna, [on Lake Como], spending a night or two? You didn't mention where you're going after Venice.
Safe travels!

hey hey jane
i also agree that lake como is too far for a day trip. i think you could look at lake garda (lago di garda)
we spent a night at hotel nettuno in bardolino for annual wine festival, even though we came from venice, we kept our apartment in venice instead of moving places and luggage.
it's a gorgeous lake, with small villages, ferries to take a ride to different towns on the lake (visitgarda.com or gardalake.com or tripsavvy.com/lake garda)
peschiera del garda south end with train tansportation,
bardolino known for rose wines, right on the lake with pathway to roam
malcesine historic area, tiny streets with shops, cafes, near mount baldo and cable car.
church built into hill (madonna della corona)
sirmione artsy with medieval castle and thermal waters.
lots to see and do, maybe keep your hotel, leave early, drive to lake, drive around stay the night then leave the next day to enjoy your surroundings.
hope this gives you another option for lake viewing. like mentioned, check open and closing of rental car stores, get your IDP for all drivers(translation of drivers license) from AAA/CAA for about $25 and 2 passport photos. ask questions and posters here will let you know, we all have different opinions, likes, and dislikes. enjoy and happy 30th.
aloha

jane,

Driving from Venice to Lake Como for a "day trip" is not the most practical idea. As the others have mentioned, the travel time each way of ~four hours will not allow much time for sightseeing. There are also the issues of speed cameras, tolls, expensive fuel and the ubiquitous ZTL (limited traffic) zones which exist in many cities. Each pass through a ZTL will result in hefty fines which you may not know about until several months after you return home. And finally, each driver listed on the rental form will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit which is used with your home D.L.

Even by train, getting to Lago di Como is going to be a longer journey. As the others have also mentioned, Lago di Garda would be a good alternative. There's a departure with the high speed Freccia train from Venezia Santa Lucia at 08:18, with arrival at Peschiera del Garda at 09:46 (time 1H:28M, no changes). There are numerous other departures, if you'd like to take an earlier train. The high speed trains travel at up to 300 km/h so a much better use of travel time. On arrival at Peschiera, you can walk (about 15 minutes as I recall) to the Ferry dock and take a relaxing cruise up to Malcesine, perhaps using an Aliscafo. Spend the day exploring there and then take the Ferry back in the afternoon.

Upon arrival back in Peschiera, you can perhaps have supper in one of the restaurants there. If you want to make it a full day, there's another direct Freccia departure back to Venice at 21:14, arriving at 22:42. There are earlier departures with one change, so lots of possibilities.

And finally,,,, *Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! What a wonderful milestone!

Buon viaggio!