Driving time from Rome to Zurich??
 

Can anybody help with driving time from Rome to Zurich..It would be on a Sunday in June of 2002..Would a car rental be feasable for a family of 4? Train and car rental seem to be around same cost wise..train is about 9 or so hours. thanks

Meg, <BR>You can drive the distance in anywhere from eight to nine hours depending upon traffic and weather. The drive will be almost entirely on autobahn or autostrada. I question whether you're correct in saying costs, by train or car will be comparable. Will you be returning the car to Rome, or Italy at the end of your trip? If not, be prepared for a stiff out-of-country drop off charge. Have you considered fuel and toll costs, the 20% VAT rental and the prohibitively expensive mandatory insurance for an Italian rental?

I think the car time is a bit optimistic. Nine hours for the 530+ miles might be about right for the actual drive time. However, delays in the Alpine region are quite normal. The nine hours doesn't take into account the time to get out of Rome, nor does it include time for fuel, food or comfort stops. <BR> <BR>Do check the prices carefully. The train and car may be about the same price, though I think you may be surprised what a one day rental in Italy with an out-of-country drop charge may cost you. <BR> <BR>Time-wise, I'm confident the train will be better ... and more comfortable as well for everyone. <BR> <BR>twenj

the rental I was considering was with avis, one way..full size 195.00 for car 170.00 drop off charge plus the various taxes..most likely would end up more than train..

Add another $100 for gas and tolls probably. Unsure of train fare, but I'd guess under $75 for adult second class. <BR> <BR>You might be able to get a somewhat better rental rate, though for a full-size that's in the ballpark for one day. One can almost rent a subcompact for a week for that!