Car rental Interlaken to Lugano or Menaggio, Italy
A traveler named red6277 is planning a trip from Wengen to Menaggio, Italy, and is debating whether to rent a car for the entire route or drop it off in Lugano and take public transport to Menaggio. They're looking for advice on the best option to save time and avoid extra fees while enjoying their journey.
- Consider taking the train from Wengen to Lugano instead of driving, as it offers beautiful scenery and simplifies your travel plans.
- Be aware that traffic can be heavy, especially around larger towns and tunnels like the Gotthard, particularly during rush hours or holiday weekends.
- If you drop off your rental car in Lugano, make sure to check the bus/train schedules to avoid delays and ensure a smooth connection to Menaggio.
AI-generated summary-
Hi all,
I was curious to know if anyone has any feedback on:
- Renting a car and driving from Interlaken to Lake Como (Menaggio)
v.
- Driving from Interlaken to Lugano, dropping the car off and taking a bus to Menaggio ?
After our visit in Wengen we plan to rent a car and drive to Menaggio. To avoid the fee of dropping a car off in another country we are considering dropping the car off in Lugano, taking the bus/train to Menaggio, and then rent another car in Italy to continue our trip. If it’s not a quick bus/train ride then we might keep the car to save time since we plan to drive through Italy after our visit.
Thank you!
- Renting a car and driving from Interlaken to Lake Como (Menaggio)
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Hi red6277, thanks for joining MySwissAlps!
I agree that renting a car in Switzerland to go to Italy probably is an expensive option, but you’d have to double check that with the rental agency. I’d keep things simple and not rent a car until you reach Italy.
A train trip from Wengen to Lugano takes 5h15 and 3 changes. A car trip will take 3h30, assuming no traffic jams and excluding the time it takes in Interlaken to go to the rental agency and to drop it off in Lugano. It also requires 2 changes (Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken) because you’ll have to train from Wengen to Interlaken anyway. I don’t think there’s any advantage to rent a car for just that Swiss leg, to be honest. Take the train and enjoy the scenery I’d say!
That is helpful. Thank you! I really didn’t consider traffic. Are certain areas known for heavy traffic? I appreciate the feedback.
Hi red6277,
Mostly around larger towns at rush hour (the usual!). Also around tunnels, like the Gotthard tunnel (between Göschenen and Airolo) there is often a slow down as well as it is only 2 lanes.
Lucas
>> Also around tunnels, like the Gotthard tunnel (between Göschenen and Airolo) there is often a slow down as well as it is only 2 lanes.
I notice that German has a nice word for that: “Blechlawine” – metal avalanche!
I read in an online Swiss newspaper that at Easter this year, the “Blechlawine” at the north entrance of the Gotthard-Tunnel was already 14 kilometres long by 6:30 on the Friday morning!
Alpenrose
Thank you all so much! This is the most helpful forum I’ve ever come across!
Oh that is a perfect word for it – the Germans always have a word for it.
Holiday weekends are reportedly horrible for car traffic there (so say my friends who have cars!).
Lucas
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