Our group of 4 (2 couples) will be traveling from Rome to Venice. We're in a quandry...do we take the train to Venice or opt for a car/driver? We're told the car option could be a nightmare of traffic/delays arriving into Venice (a Monday at about 3-4pm. The train might be faster, however is it worth schlepping bags?? What is really the best way to go? Anyone care to share first hand experience to help us make an informed decision? Mille grazie!

Taking the Eurostar from Rome to Venice is a pleasure, particularly if the four of you take a table type "four place" in first class. Unless you're traveling with a couple steamer trunks each, "schlepping bags" should be no big deal. The trains have large luggage compartments at the ends of the car. I'd be about 20 times more relaxed and comfortable on the train than in a car!
When the driver would drop you off in Venice, you'd have to deal with the luggage to your hotel the same as when you get off the train.

Traon schedules and fares are at www.trenitalia.com.

A limo from Rome to Naples is about 600E. It's twice the distance to Venice. I expect a limo to be at least 800E.

If you have so much luggage that you can't get it onto the train, you will need 2 cars.

Not steamer trunks but plenty of bags - ES sounds nice. How do you book the table type or "four place" first class? Is that cabin style? Should we purchase tickets before arriving in Europe? What's the diff between booking through Rail Europe or Tenitalia?

Absolutely use the train. If you have a lot of luggage use First Class - just be sure none of the luggage is too big to lift onto the overhead rack.

(And thre's now way 5 people and a lot of luggage would fit into o ne car in europe - unless it was some special sort of limousine - very rare - or van. the price would be VERY high.)

I don't get the comment about the luggage fitting in the overhead rack. I never do that -- too much effort. I put it in the big luggage compartment at the end of the car.

Trenitalia charges no extra fees, while Rail Europe does. You can book at Trenitalia no more than 60 days in advance. For this popular route you can probably wait till you arrive in Rome. It is not cabin style--one open car, but there are sets of seats, some arranged as four facing seats, some as twos.

Hi J,

If you know when you want to take the train, you can book 60 days in advance at www.trenitalia.com.

When you buy your tickets (choose standard fare) you will be asked to choose your seats.

Get 4 together.

RailEurope charges more than Tren.