Many drivers start this trip in a convertible, with the lake wind in their hair and medieval streets ahead. However, it is too common to find a EUR 100 fine in your inbox three months later, followed by a rental agency surcharge.
This happens to drivers every week in Como and Bellagio. This guide shows you how to avoid the fine from a luxury car rental Milan has to offer.
Three Routes to Lake Como
All three routes start in Milan. Your route choice affects your time, cost, and stress. Choose a route based on your car and your goal.
Route A: Autostrada A9 (fastest)
This is the toll road that most airport transfers use. It connects Milan’s northern ring road to Como.
- Distance: ~40 to 45 km, starting in Milan centre (45 to 55 minutes).
- Out of Malpensa: ~50 km (45 minutes to 1 hour).
- Note that larger SUVs fall into higher toll classes. Check current Class 3+ rates on the Autostrade per l’Italia site before you go, since tolls change and blog posts with old prices are not reliable.
- One more warning: the A9 exit leads straight into Como’s historic centre. Many drivers cross into the ZTL zone here without noticing. The ZTL section below gives more detail.
Route B: SS35 “Via Varesina” (scenic, no tolls)
This route passes through Saronno, Rovellasca, and Bregnano. It adds 15 to 25 minutes compared with the A9, but you pay nothing and get a proper countryside drive through Brianza.
- Best for: classic cars, convertibles, anyone who treats the drive itself as part of the trip.
Route C: SS36 to SP583 (best for Bellagio)
This route avoids Como town completely and goes via Lecco on the eastern shore.
- Distance: ~80 km, 1.5 to 1.75 hours.
- Why drivers use it: it avoids Como’s ZTL and the summer tourist crowds. If Bellagio is your destination, this route saves time and lowers your risk of a fine.
Route Comparison
|
Route |
Destination |
Drive Time |
Cost |
Best For |
|
A9 Autostrada |
Milan or MXP to Como |
45 to 60 min |
Toll |
Airport transfers, business |
|
SS35/SP35 |
Milan to Como (local) |
~1h 10min |
Free |
Weekend drives, vintage cars |
|
SS36 then SP583 |
Milan to Bellagio (via Lecco) |
1h 30min to 1h 45min |
Free or low toll |
Bellagio direct, no Como traffic |
ZTL Zones and Traffic Fines
ZTL stands for Zona a Traffico Limitato, a restricted traffic zone. Cameras (called varchi elettronici) photograph every plate that enters. You won’t face any barrier, gate, or a warning beep. But you’ll receive a fine, sent weeks or months later.
This surprises drivers for three reasons:
- Google Maps and Waze often do not show ZTL boundaries. They route you straight through one without any alert.
- Como’s ZTL covers the area around the Duomo and the lakefront promenade, which is where most visitors want to drive and park.
- The fine arrives late, often after you have returned the car. The rental company then adds its own admin fee on top of the municipal fine.
How to spot a ZTL: look for a round sign with a red border and the words “Zona a Traffico Limitato” underneath. If you see one, stop and check before driving through.
There is one way to avoid this. Many luxury hotels inside ZTL zones can register your plate with the local traffic authority, which removes the risk of a fine. You must email your plate number to the hotel at least 24 hours before arrival. On the day you check in, it is already too late.
Where to Park an Expensive Car
Lake Como towns were built for people on foot and for boats. Wide SUVs do not fit in these streets. Town by town, this is what to expect.
Como town:
- Avoid the lakefront spots near Piazza Cavour on summer weekends, because they fill up by mid-morning.
- Park near San Giovanni train station or the Valduce area instead, then walk 5 to 10 minutes. It is faster than driving around to find a space.
Bellagio:
- The old centre has stepped pedestrian lanes, most of them very narrow. Long sedans and large SUVs cannot get through.
- Park at the edge of town near the ferry docks, or book a hotel valet in advance.
- Spaces fill by mid-morning in peak season (June to August). Arrive early, or do not take the car. The ferry out of Como or Varenna is often the smarter choice.
Cernobbio and Villa d’Este:
- Use hotel valet parking. It is designed for cars like yours.
- Stay away during the Ambrosetti Forum (early September) and the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este (late spring). Both events close roads and remove public parking.
Varenna and Laglio:
- Varenna: park in the garage above town, then walk down to the pedestrian waterfront.
- Laglio: temporary parking restrictions appear near private estates. Check local notices before you go there.
Drive Yourself, or Hire a Chauffeur (NCC)
This is the main decision. Both options work well. It depends on what you want out of the day.
Drive yourself if:
- You want to drive the SS340 “Regina” coastal road in a special car.
- You are staying at a remote villa with private parking, so no ZTL applies.
- You see driving as part of the holiday itself.
Choose an NCC (chauffeur service) if:
- You do not want to worry about ZTL fines or parking.
- You are attending dinners or wine tastings and do not want to think about driving limits.
- You want an impressive arrival. Chauffeurs use the private lanes at properties such as Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Passalacqua, and they know which streets are closed to traffic.
Helicopter and Boat Transfers
Two options avoid the roads completely:
- Helicopter transfer: private operators fly out of Linate or Malpensa to helipads near lakeside resorts. A drive of 90 minutes becomes about 20 minutes in the air.
- Chauffeur plus Riva boat: take a luxury car to Como, then transfer to a classic Riva, a wooden boat that goes straight to your villa or hotel dock. This is the traditional way to arrive at Lake Como, without roads or parking to deal with.
Your Checklist Before You Go
- Ask the rental agency if your car has a Telepass toll transponder. If not, plan to pay by credit card at manual lanes.
- Email the hotel your plate number at least 24 hours ahead if the property is inside a ZTL zone.
- Check this year’s ZTL hours and boundaries on the official Comune di Como site. Old blog posts are not reliable.
- Download a regional parking app such as EasyPark for street parking payments.
- Confirm your car’s width and height with the rental agency before you try the underground garages in Como or Bellagio.
Do these five things in advance. The drive then becomes the best part of your trip instead of the most stressful one.
