I'm planning on driving from Lauterbrunnen to Menaggio in July. I really enjoy driving mountain passes and stopping along the way. Does anybody know how long this should take me ? I ve tried using viamichelin and can't figure out how to calculate the directions going over the Grimsel and Furka pass. Is there a more scenic way to go that gets me there in a reasonable amount of time? I hoping it is in the 5 to 6 hour range. Thanks for your help.
Posted by
Green Bay
20025 posts
More scenic than the Grimsel and Furka passes? Hmm. I use an old fashioned road map.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32198 posts
Brett,
If you're renting the car in one country and dropping off in another, the rental firms sometimes charge hefty fees for that.
Also, it's important to note that for driving in Italy, each driver listed on the rental form must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which may be provided by the issuing office).
You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato (limited traffic) areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities especially Florence, which is almost saturated with automated ZTL cameras. EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket, which you won't know about until several months after you return home! There are also automated speed cameras and fines for driving in Bus lanes.
You may find these sites interesting.....
https://www.italybeyondtheobvious.com/dont-mess-with-ztl-zones
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Brett, I think it is the Grimsel and Nufenen passes you want. The Furka leaves you in Andermatt, still north of the Gotthard pass.
Time should not be a factor. This will take all day. You will want to keep stopping.
These passes are phenomenal. You just have to go over them once in your life. Nothing is more scenic. I suggest you go to YouTube, and search for Grimselpass or Nufenenpass, except the shear drops are even hairier in real life. The driver will not see much, as (s)he will be concentrating on the road. Switch drivers half way so you all get a fair look at the scenery. There is a place to stop at the top of both passes.
To get around the international surcharge car drop-off problem, leave the car in Lugano, then take a bus to Menaggio. Or return it after your stay in Menaggio, depending on where you are going afterwards.
Viamichelin should work if you specify via Grimselpass and Nufenenpass, but you should not get lost, there is only one road over each pass.
You really need a map which shows the mountains, for example: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=en&bgLayer=pk&resolution=100&X=671600&Y=147600
Posted by
OP
Loves Park, IL
21 posts
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm actually driving back to Zurich for my flight home. So no worries about drop-off fees. You are right, the Nufenen Pass looks like a better option. Hopefully I can get some good weather and avoid those traffic cameras in Italy.