Car vs. train
 

After seeing how expensive some of the trains can be, we are now thinking of driving from Milan to Venice instead of taking the train. How is it? I hear the drivers in Italy drive very fast. Will I be a nervous wreck or is it worth the freedom to meander about? <BR>Thanks! <BR>Margot

The drivers are indeed fast, and a bit reckless, at least to most North American eyes. Nonetheless it's no big deal to drive in Italy, at least outside the large cities. <BR> <BR>But the train fare is only about $30 or so for the three hour trip. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com

Have you checked into the price of a car rental in Italy? Highest in Europe. Ed is right; the train fare should not be that much at all, one of the lowest in Europe. And you absolutely do not need a car in Venice, couldn't have one there if you wanted to, anyway. Unless you are going to do a lot of side trips on the way, and I emphasize a lot, to little side towns on the way to Venice, the only sensible choice is the train. And--although--I have been shouted down on this forum before for saying this--driving in Italy is not for the faint of heart. <BR> <BR>

I have to agree. You have to be pretty even keel to drive in Italy. If you really are just needing to get from Milan to Venice and aren't planning on "tootling" around the countryside I would recommend the train.

Hi! <BR> <BR>I have also heard about how cheap trains may be, but I am curious - are these for the fast IC/TGV/ES trains, or the milk runs? I will be traveling with my parents, so with three of us - I wonder if we are better off splitting a car. <BR> <BR>Has anyone heard of the kilometric pass? That may be worth it for us, with a car thrown in, in Tuscany. <BR> <BR>Does the KM pass work for the IC (fast) trains. For three people we would have 1000 KMs each to use. Does anyone know what the train distance is from Milan to Venice, Venice to Florence, and Florence to Milan? I'd pick up my car in Florence for a few days. <BR> <BR>thanks! <BR> <BR>Beth