Has anyone driven between Rome and Venice? We're flying into ROme on a Sunday morning and plan on going by train to Venice that morning. Thought maybe it would be a nice drive so that we had some freedom to stop at places like Bologna along the way? It take 4.5 hours by train. Maybe we should just get to Venice and enjoy our 3.5 days there???

<<so that we had some freedom...>>

you might pay a high price for that freedom unless you are a prty of say... five or so. One day car rentals often cost as much as three day car rentals, and of course, once you get to Venice, you are paying for a car (and its high-priced parking) for nought.

I am a strong advocate for car rental in Italy, but this idea merits re-thinking, unless your stops along the way are for overnight stays.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hello anavert, I agree with Rex. Are you flying to Rome from the US? If so I am sure that you would not feel like driving (after having to pick up a rental car) from Rome to Venice immediately after your flight.

And if you are going to have 3.5 days in Venice then by all means take the train to Venice and enjoy your stay there. Believe me, you will not be able to drive from Rome to Venice in 4.5 hours.

Do have a wonderful stay in Venice.

To me a roomy, uncrowded Italian train, departing from city-centre and arriving in city-centre, would feel like "Freedom".

We drove out of Rome last month. Not tough but still a chore.

You'd have the boredom of FCO-Termini but that is the only minus I see.

Hi ana,

Driving from Rome FCO to Venice immediately after arriving from the US is contraindicated.