Train or car rental: Venice to Pisa

Old Jan 15th, 2017, 10:02 PM
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Train or car rental: Venice to Pisa

Two able senior ladies (able, but maybe not so willing), with two pieces of luggage each (we will be traveling for four weeks). Looking at taking the train from Venice to our cooking school in Tuscany near Pisa, changing trains in Florence. Doable, but wondering how difficult it will be to manage with two pieces of luggage each, primarily for the train change. I'm sure we will not have a lot time to change trains.

The drive would be 3-½ hours. Also thinking I could handle a rental car. Haven't driven a stick shift in 15 years, but how hard could it be to get back in the swing of it? We would need to pick up the car in Venice and return the car in Pisa. Could you suggest a place to pick up a rental car in Venice? Would prefer not to go back to the airport, but on Sunday may not have a choice. Is there a car rental office near the train station?

Looked into private transfer, but not affordable at $550-$600 for the transfer (or maybe that was euros?).

Recommendations/thoughts would be appreciated. Please don't suggest taking less luggage. That's just not going to happen. The older I get the more baggage I carry (literally and figuratively). We'll each have a 22" and 20" bag. Thanks.

Diane
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 10:50 PM
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I see several incorrect assumptions.

>>> how difficult it will be to manage with two pieces of luggage each, primarily for the train change. I'm sure we will not have a lot time to change trains.

You decide how much time you care to spend changing the train. This is not an airplane layover. While Venice St. Lucia - Firenze SMN station is probably a high speed specific time train, the Firenze SMN-Pisa Centrale is connnected by frequent regionale trains. YOU decide which one to hop on. You can have many many hours in Firenze SMN if you need a lot of time.

>>> Also thinking I could handle a rental car. Haven't driven a stick shift in 15 years, but how hard could it be to get back in the swing of it? We would need to pick up the car in Venice and return the car in Pisa. Could you suggest a place to pick up a rental car in Venice?

I don't know how easily you can get back into driving a stick. You can rent an automatic if you are willing to pay for the surcharge. You are dealing with major cities that need to deal with many automatic only drivers. However, I suspect that you are fretting on less critical items.

There is really only one place to rent in Venice island itself. Piazzale Roma. Just go to any rental company site and have it spit out a map. This is a trivial item.

Not so trivial item is whether you are familiar enough with the Italian driving rules. Those who drive often would say it is easy - that is because they know the differences between where they live and Italy. That may not be the case for you.

A major gotcha is that if you fancy yourself in stopping at cities in between without understanding ZTL traffic limited zones, you will come home with breathtaking traffic fines plus administrative charges from your rental company to make your not affordable private transfer a bargain. Any city you pass by between Venice and Pisa would have ZTL. Florence is the worst. Pisa also has ZTL.

Also if you fail to conceal your luggage when you park your car, you might not see you luggage again when you return. You need a car big enough with a cover to carry your four luggage.

Older I get, less I carry.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 10:57 PM
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I won't suggest taking less luggage because you've asked us not to (but that's a lot of luggage). However, can you swap one bag for a largish day pack? That would leave your hands free to lug the other bag around. Luggage aside, I'd definitely take the train. If you allow time for the change of trains in Florence, you could go and relax over a coffee or glass of wine between trains. You could even stash the luggage in the left luggage facility and wander around Florence for a few hours (and add to your luggage by succumbing to temptation).
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 08:48 AM
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The luggage, whether you want people to address it or not, IS going to be your downfall. That and all the driving pitfalls greg mentions. It's not as though Italian train stations have porters to lug your stuff around. Better get to the gym if you insist on the four pieces of luggage.

The older I get, the less I carry. Doesn't matter how long you'll be traveling. One small suitcase/pack is all you ever need. Try it. It's very freeing, especially as you get older and hauling crap up and down stairs and storing it on high compartments in trains becomes a big pain.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 09:05 AM
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You can have as much time as you want or need at Florence train station. The train from Florence to Pisa is a local train, with departures all day roughly every 30min. If you miss the one you plan to get, just get on the next.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 09:18 AM
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I agree that you have more time than you think. Loads of trains do this route, just take your time.

now, an apology. I'm going to talk about packing. I agree with St C - you don't need any more clothes for 4 weeks than you need for one. Italy is equipped with washing machines and driers and it can actually be quite fun going to the local launderette if you need to. All you need is one case and a handbag.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 11:09 AM
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Could you suggest a place to pick up a rental car in Venice?>

Probably at Pza Roma where the parking lots are and the causeway from mainland ends or over the causeway at Mestre train station area - take a shuttle train.

Trains are a snap and IME there are porters in Florence SMN but you have to pre-arrange these:

http://umbria-italia.blogspot.com/20...l#.WH0oEPkrKUk

Book your own Venice-Santa Lucia to Florence SMN ticket far in advance to nab discounted but train-specific tickets that can't be changed for that price but much cheaper than walk-up fares. Book at www.trenitalia.com

Florence to Pisa Centrale trains are mainly regional trains with a flat fare- so buy a discounted Venice to Florence ticket at www.trenitalia.com - and in Venice buy a Florence to Pisa regional train ticket (there are reasons not to do this online- buy regional train tickets)

Pisa Centrale is a fairly small station with taxis near the entrance.

for lots on trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Check first class too for discounted tickets -may not be much more than 2nd cl and more room for stowing luggage and fewer people mobbing exits at Florence-but you are in no hurry as others say regional train tickets are good on any regional train - be sure to validate the ticket yourself before boarding the regional train -do not have to validate any discounted ticket which comes with the mandated seat reservation.

No seat reservations are even possible on regional trains and again first class will be much more conducive perhaps to stowing two bulky pieces of luggage. Not all regional trains have first class.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 12:44 PM
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https://www.google.com/search?q=ital...HaK6BN8QsAQIGQ

The big difference between first and 2nd class is that there are about 25% fewer seats in the same-size train car and only in first are there rows with three seats in them -two on one side of the aisle and one solo seat (both window and aisle seat)-those solo seats can face each other for couples with a table in between them.

But fewer people in same-size train car = more room to stow luggage- indeed there are usually more empty seats in first class and you may be able to put luggage on one next to you.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 02:48 PM
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Train or car rental: Venice to Pisa
Posted by: luvtotravel on Jan 16, 17 at 2:02am


For travel between these two cities make it easy on yourself and take the train.

greg on Jan 16, 17 at 2:50am gave you several reasons for not driving, whether stick or automatic. But if you need more see an illustrated introduction to driving in Europe at http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap18/auto-1.htm. Driving in Italy is more hazardous than in most countries. That is probably at least part of the reason why credit card insurance is not available from most CC companies. And you'll probably need a fair sized car to fit all that luggage into the trunk. If you stop to eat and leave anything visible in the car it will grow wings in moments.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 04:17 PM
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As I read this, I thought that the drive is probably quite a bit longer.... but then, we drive pretty slowly and stop pretty often. so i checked w viamichelin, which says it's closer to 4 1/2 hours of drive time. Also, please remember that the tolls will cost between 50 and 60 Euro, so figure that in with the costs.

As stated above, you can take the train and choose any amount of transfer time. You could even stop off and see Florence (checking your bags) for a few hours... the train station is pretty much in the center of things.

A big advantage of driving (for us) is the ability to stop off and find a charming place to stay along the way. If you are just going straight through, why not just releax and take the train. If you book a deal online in advance, it can often be much less expensive.

Have fun... and maybe think about paring down to one suitcase each... we travel for 3-4 weeks every year and always bring only one suitcase each. It really can be easily done! (though I will admit that it gets more challenging with each passing decade...). It not only makes transfers easier... it makes packing/unpacking and keeping track of what-I-put-where easier. If you start buying things to bring home, you can easily buy a $20 suitcase as you travel. Lots of good advice on packing on this forum.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 04:19 PM
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If budget is important, you may incur a one-way surcharge on the car rental. Also, if you only intend to keep the car for one day, the basic rental charge could be rather high, esp. as others have pointed out you'd need to rent a fairly large vehicle.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 04:21 PM
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Hello ladies,
If your main concern is train change, DON'T WORRY, Florence station is easy to do, and you can take all the time to look for the signals in what dock is your train to Pisa, that run every hour.
I don't see major problem with your bags since they are both carry-on size.
Just one advice, ask for reserved seats, since italian trains are usually full in some routes like Venice to Florence.
In the other hand, a rental car can be a nice option but plenty of possible problems.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 04:29 PM
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Train!

I'm planning our third trip to Italy and always travel by train. Very easy. I recommend reserving your seats. We each have one large suitcase and have never had any problems.

Good luck and have fun.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 04:30 PM
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I once travelled with a friend,using trains and buses. We both had very similar luggage capacity and weight. But she had one bag and I split mine across two (one very small rolling, one daypack). Hers was a real pain to deal with as she couldn't easily lift it. I wouldn't get tempted to reduce number of bags by taking one single big one.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 05:16 PM
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I have never managed to convince my wife to downside smaller than a 24 inch plus carryon but it does work and gives her room for purchases and the weight is reasonable. Renting a car just to move your luggage makes no sense. Trying to re learn how to drive a stick in Italy while navigating traffic zones and aggressive drivers is not to be recommended.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 05:38 PM
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Sorry but I've forgotten... When people say 20/21/24 inches wrt luggage, how is that measured? In my home country, luggage is usually measured in litre capacity or cumulative centimetres (width+height+depth) and I can't seem to remember what the inches mean. Can someone please remind me? Thanks.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 05:49 PM
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Train - no brainer!
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 07:37 PM
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2.54 cm = 1 inch. Luggage measured by length. Capacity makes more sense or w/h/d but it is what it is.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 10:51 PM
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So if a case is 24inch x 8inch x 15inch, it's called a 24inch case? Thank you for explaining. It sounds quite variable but, as you say, it is what it is.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 11:08 PM
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Excellent advice! I love this board. I just knew you folks would point me in the right direction. Train it is.

I have been to Italy many times, once with a car where I was the navigator. I've driven in England (with an automatic), Holland, Belgium and Germany, so I'm not as timid as I sound. But I had forgotten about those pesky traffic tickets that show up long after the glow of the trip is gone (I've never gotten one, thank goodness), as well as never leaving items in the car even if the items are in the trunk. Those two things along with your comments about allowing extra time in Florence make the decision to train a no-brainer. We will be in Florence for four nights before heading to Venice, so no need to make a stop there.

I used to travel to Europe with only carry-on and I had my friends do the same. They only thanked me after the trips and grumbled beforehand. Now with added electronics, many pills that truly add weight, I find I like having more with me. For the first two weeks we'll be on a tour where the tour company will handle our bags, and then we'll spend the next two weeks in only two hotels.

I had already checked out launderettes in Venice and found two good possibilities. It will be fun to do laundry with the locals.

Thanks for the tip to reserve a train porter in advance and for all the other links that I will read carefully.
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