Your daughter can drive in Italy at age 21. My daughter did at age 20. Yes, you'd both need international driving permits (it's a permit, not a license), easily obtainable at AAA.

As for which mode of transportation is cheaper, you'll just have to do the math. Fuel isn't cheap, and for Italy you'll have to purchase theft insurance as well as the usual coverage. You can't have a car in Venice, and in Rome and Florence you certainly won't want one, so if that's where you're going (as opposed to tooling around the countryside), I can't see why you'd consider driving.

When you do the math as StCirq suggests, factor in the aggravation of having to deal with the car when you're not using it (and you'd really have to be altogether insane, IMO, to want do drive in any of these locations while on holiday). You'll still be paying for the rental while it sits unused, plus you'll have to pay (possibly quite a lot) to park it.

Take the train.

You do not want a car in the 3 major art cites--end of story.

Doing the same route 2 years ago, my wife and I did Venice-Florence and Florence-Rome for €154 ($250 Canadian [about $200 U.S.]). I can't imagine that you'd do a rental for any length of time for less than that and you most assuredly won't travel anywhere near so fast between the cities.

As much as I enjoy driving in Europe, I avoid driving in the major cities. I agree with bob and others--take the train. One factor that dictates against the possible hassle of train travel is the time lost relative to driving. You have to meet the train's schedule and can't travel on your own schedule. Again, however, between the larger cities you will find plenty of flexibility in schedules.

I agree..the TRAIN.
no question on this one, IMHO. There are only two people...you're going to cities...no reason at all to have a car. When you factor in, as others have said, the HIGH cost of gas, tolls, and general hassle, it is really not worth having a car if you will be in cities.

Also factor in you'll have to pay to park the car in each city.
That definitely adds up.

For 2 people, I don't think you'll save THAT much $$ renting a car.

Definitely use the train between cities as all the others above have stated. Too much time, navigation, getting lost perhaps, gas, tolls, parking. This is supposed to be a vacation. Pinch pennies at home and enjoy your vacation.

OK, I get on the train too...
But... if you can earn 2-3 days from your itinerary and you think you'll going to be bored by big cities and trains... try a driving experience in Tuscany and/or Umbria. In April it would be fantastic. San Gimignano, Siena, Volterra, Val d'Orcia, Pienza, Motepulciano, Arezzo, Cortona, Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto, Orvieto...

Your daughter's wish to rent a car may be prompted by lack of familiarity with European train service.(Many North Americans this age have never even been on a train). You can reassure her about its excellence, but if she still feels that a car is necessary to experience, for example the list of towns Liberosette suggests above, go with a compromise.

Rent a car for few days using Perugia as a base. It is a wonderfully located small city with good rental car venues and a giant parking lot with access via elevators to the town. Easy to get in and out of, which, as others have pointed out is NOT the case, with Rome, Florence, Venice and even Siena.

We'll be doing the same trip via train (Savona to Venice to Florence to Rome), should we stay 1 night each in Venice and Florence and 2 nights in Rome or do you suggest something else? Any hotel recommendations?

Jamalaya, your questions are different from the title of this thread. You'll get better (and more) helpful replies if you start a new thread.

But while I'm here... I would skip Venice on this trip. It's 5-6 hours from Savona to Venice. You'd barely have a day there, then it's back on the train for 3 hours to Florence. It's still 5 hours or so from Savona to Florence, but at least you'd have more time there and would eliminate that second train ride.

Train is the best where you want to go. We have driven in many countries but would not drive in Italy. Especially in the cities.

Here is a link with some very helpful information on riding the trains in Italy-

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/trains/index.htm

Keeping with the transportation theme:

Florence and Rome- here is a link for riding the city buses-

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/bus/italy_taking_the_bus.htm

And, in Venice-

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/venice/dm_transportation.htm

TO SAVE MONEY ON THE TRAINS:

1. Take the "regionale" ("R") instead of the faster trains, when available

2. Take the "Intercity" ("IC") train instead of the ES/AV train, when available (BEWARE: make sure it stops at Florence S.M. Novella Station, if that is your destination, since most IC trains no longer stop there).

3. Take the "ES" train rather than the more expensive AV train.

hi CPRS,

I love driving in europe and even I, with this itinerary, would take the train. much, much easier especially on a first trip. all three stations are in t hecentre of the cities and it won't be difficult to get from there to your accomodation. people do it all the time.

driving in Florence and Rome is a nightmare and parking is a pig. let the train take the strain.

Please note this thread from February 2009 relates to a trip planned for April 2009. CRPS2009 has been and gone already.

A recent poster topped the thread yesterday with totally unrelated questions.

thanks Jean. I always fall for this!

In Italy, the slower the train, the cheaper the ticket. Often the ticket office will assume that, as a tourist, you want the fastest or first available train. If you've checked the timetable before purchasing you can ask for the train you want. There are online screens at the train stations which can assist in selecting the best and cheapest options. Buying your ticket the day before departure can also help.