Anyone know Milan/the lakes?

BigHeartedWelshie

Hello!  I’m taking my 12 year old daughter to Milan in the summer for a concert. We have 3 nights booked in Milan and then one in Bellano on Lake Como. We fly into and out of Linate. 

We love a roadtrip and wondering whether it’s worth hiring a car to get from Milan to Bellano. Would be about £100 for 2 days hire and excess insurance. It would be worth it if there were spectacular scenery (and it’s also somewhere to leave cabin bags while we walk around). The apartment in Bellano has parking but is also a 3 minute walk from the station. I suspect the train would be cheaper. 

Anyone know the area well and can advise?

Thanks in advance. 

eskbanker

That area certainly has spectacular scenery, but to be honest a car probably isn't the best way to see it - the main road along the eastern side of the lake to Bellano features numerous lengthy tunnels so doesn't have the uninterrupted lake views you might expect from seeing the route on a map.

In your shoes I think I'd use public transport and travel by fast boat along the lake to/from Como in at least one direction - it's well served by trains to/from Milan.

Alan_Bowen

I have driven in many places worldwide but would be tempted to give Italian driving a miss! A new Metro linking Linate with the city centre opens this week, there are also buses to Milan Centrale where you can get a Tren Nord train to Bellano, usually at 20 past the hour. I typically stay in Varenna which is a stop before, Lake Como is my favourite lake in Italy and you must take some trips round the lake but I endorse eskbanker's view that many of the roads should have, but don't always have, the views you expect. 

MikeJXE

Take a ride on Google Earth that might give you an idea 

CKhalvashi

Having just consulted with OH (air crew who has been temporarily based at Malpensa several times for work in the last few years), we'd be tempted to take the train on this particular trip.

She states it's just over an hour and the scenery is amazing. With a car (when she went with colleagues first time) you will be driving through many tunnels.

Arjmor

We stayed in Bellano in 2019.
quite quaint and quiet.

if you want views take the ferry / boats between Bellano and the others locations.
cheap and reliable.

the train is simple and regular but as replies above, so many tunnels so views are limited.

BigHeartedWelshie

thanks for your help. Train it is.