Where can i find information about traveling between different cities in Italy? I'm planning to go to Rome, Florence and Venice. Do the trains do a great job or should I go for renting a car?!?! Which is most cost-efficient? It might be just my husband and me, but we're trying to convince another couple to travel with us...so it could be 4 people.

www.trenitalia.com

Unless you are planning to visit smaller towns in between those three cities, you are probably better of with train service.

I totally agree. There is no reason to even explore any option other than train, unless you WANT a car for spending a lot of time exploring the countryside between the cities.

You'll love the train travel between those cities (well, at least we did!).

I travel with a lady friend who doesn't "do luggage" very well. (Amazing how such an otherwise perfectly poised woman could turn into a complete klutz trying to maneuver her huge suitcase between the aisles!). So we opted for 1st class, where there are wider aisles and more luggage room. It isn't necessary. Neither trip is that long. But we felt it was worth it. There is often a "dining car" on the Florence/Venice leg. It's really just a snack shop, but we liked sitting by the big windows sipping our coffee as the campana rolled by.

Lastly, nothing can compare to that first sight of Venice when you emerge from the train station! I wish you a sunny day for your arrival! It will take your breath away.

Thank you so much! I pray for sunny weather, too!

Thanks for all the advice on the train. That's so inredibly helpful!!

Hi tt,

It is almost always easier and more cost effective to take the trains between Rome, Florence and Venice.

Have you found hotels with free parking?

Are you used to Italian traffic?

Don't expect to put 4 people and luggage in a compact car.

PS

Why are you trying to convince another couple to travel with you?

If they need convincing, they might not be the best travel companions.

Train unquestionably, especially if you're staying on the beaten track. You can't (or shouldn't) drive as fast as those suckers go.

As everybody has pointed out the train is a better option, on one side you have to pay for taxis from train stations to hotels, although sometimes you can walk or if you have little luggage you can take a bus. Hotels will tell you upon asking which bus to take, for instance we took the bus between the train Station in Florence and our hotel and it did work perfectly.
But renting a car you have besides the renting, the parking which takes aprox between 15 and more 20,25
euros per day, and of course tolls if any, and gas.
Also the driving inside cities it is not that easy plus in some cities like in Florence there are areas where you might have to pay to get in. I have been told lately but do not know exactly how it works. May be if you are a tourist you can have a permit to reach the hotel I would imagine.

Be sure to make a reservation for a seat on the train. When we didn't, we were stuck in the aisle with our bags (sitting on them and getting up and moving when people wanted to pass) or our bags in the area between train cars. It was very unnerving as I constantly worried (and checked on) our bags to make sure they weren't snatched. Don't tell me this doesn't happen.

Also, I would never again travel by train without very lightweight luggage, say a backpack and 22" suitcase. It is not fun to run for a train and heft up heavy (or too many pieces of) luggage.

Having said this it would be long drives between these cities and, as others have said, unless you have the time to drift thru cute little towns along the way, go for the train.

On the routes teachertravel is planning the "ES" trains are the only way to go. There are no fold down aisle seats, all seats are comfortable, the coaches are clean and airconditioned, and every seat on the train is reserved. It's like night and day compared to the trains Nancy took.

There are no stops Rome-Florence, and only 3 or 4 Venice-Florence, and there is ample space either above the seats, or between back to back seats for luggage, plus a large rack at the end of the coach as well.