vorsillo

First time traveller to Italy: I am trying to figure out how to get around. We are taking a cruise from Venice but arrive 4 days early and would like to drive from VCE to Chianti.

Has anyone done this drive?? Is it doable for Americans who have no Italian language skills? Can you drive from Venice to Chianti?

Are the roads negotiable to do this?? Anyone taken the trains from Venice to Chianti??

thanks

bobthenavigator

Of course you can, but I would not do it on arrival day---too far with jetlag. It is almost all on Autostradae and the roads are well marked. The option is to train to Florence and get your car there. I would plan on at least 4 hours plus stops. Look at Google Maps for details.

vorsillo

thanks bobthenaviagator..appreciate it

rineurope

If you're coming in on a cruise... pick up your car at Piazza Roma - don't head all the way out to the VCE airport. You can pick up any of the major car rentals there and also check out Auto Europe, as they offer good deals from this location.

Because Venice is a huge drop-off spot - and you need a one-way rental - when you arrive at the pickup point, ask your vendor if they NEED to have a specific car dropped off in Florence. You may get a FREE upgrade as this happens often out of Venice!

Also get off the autostrada and try SS64 once you pass Bologna - a great back road towards Tuscany and Florence!

rineurope

OOPS - sorry vorsillo - saw you are coming FROM the airport! You still might compare prices between pick-up points (airport vs. Piazza Roma).

We've jumped on the 5 EURO bus and picked up our car at Piazza Roma because without the airport charges it was far less expensive. So it would not hurt to compare! There are FAR more drop-offs at the Piazza Roma car rental area than the airport.