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- - CAR VS TRAIN (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/car-vs-train-222524/)

Help! We can't decide whether to drive or catch a train. We are leaning towards driving - for the freedom and cost, but are interested in hearing other opinions on the pros and cons. We will visit Rome-Tuscany-Riveria-Nice. thanks

If you had said you were just visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice or any other three major cities, I'd suggest sticking with trains, but for Tuscany and the Riviera, definitely get a car. Just get it when you leave Rome -- assuming that is where you start.

Alex, Have you considered both? You do not need a car in Rome. Quite frankly, I've driven a lot of places including Boston (with the craziest drivers I know of)and a car in Rome is one scary experience! I would suggest the subway, taxis and buses in Rome. We've done them all and it is no big deal. Walking is also good. Take the train to Florence, you said Tuscany, so I'm assuming that might be your destination. You can then rent a car for only the days you wish to take day trips from Florence. Examples may be Sienna or Sangiminano (sp). Even then, you can get there by bus from Florence. Then take the train from Florence to Riviera. Depending upon the time of year, that area can be very traffic intense. Do not know if this helps, but...cars can be amajor hassle. parking, gas is expensive etc. US

Can you purchase train tickets at Termini to Florence just before you leave? Or do you need to prepurchase? I am finding the whole train thing confusing.

Alex, My advice would be to buy them at the station the first or second day you are in Rome for departure at the end of your Rome stay. That way, you will know that you will have a seat on the train. The trains from Rome to Florence go frequently, but they are crowded. OTOH, should you decide to do a lot of travel by train, you may wish to get a pass of some sort. Something like a Eurail pass that allows unlimited, first class travel for five separate days within a fifteen day period. We do this on all of our trips. You may need to reserve on the busy runs, but the flexibility and the price and the first class is worth it. For example, you could take the train from Rome to Florence (day 1). Florence to Sienna (day two), Florence to Nice (day 3) and that would leave two more days. It is far more economical, however if you use the pass for a trip like this: Paris to Frankfurt (day 1) Frankfurt to Cologne and back down the Rhine River and then to Heidelburg for dinner and back to Frankfurt (day 2) Frankfurt to Vienna (day 3) Vienna to Salzburg (day 4) Salzburg to Munich (day 5) We made this trip about five years ago. You may want to try www.ricksteves.com for some advice regarding rail travel. US

What about taking a train vs. car from Rome to the Amalfi Coast? I figured out that cost-wise, with surcharges, taxes, etc., it would be about $330 for 4 days to rent the car. What are the train tickets like? Definitely would not dream of driving in Rome, but what about if one wanted to visit, while on the Coast, Serrento, Salerno, Capri, Ravello? And if I don't rent the car, are there trains to the Amalfi Coast, or do I have to go to Naples and figure it out from there? Thanks.

Good advice on Rome. No car needed or wanted. We travel to Europe quite a bit and only use the trains for short trips to something we want to see. Other than that we rent a car as it gives us the freedom to explore and enjoy the area at our own pace and avoid the crowds on trains, lugging baggage around and waiting at the station. If you want to see Tuscany you difinitely would enjoy the car and the driving was not difficult. Riviera and Nice also not too bad as there are small towns along the way that you have now never heard of but that will be fun to stop and enjoy. Bottom line: No car in Rome, then car.