How hard is it really to drive in Italy?
 

My brother and sister in law are planning a road trip from Naples, Italy to Salzburg, Austria. She is apprehensive about renting a car. Would it be more feasable for them to just use trains and cabs?

I think it depends on what you're used to. I live in the metro Boston area and thought the driving it Italy, by comparison, was relaxing (Rome excepted) and the drivers competent and courteous. The road signage is nothing short of fantastic, which helps considerably.

Totally depends on what they want to see. If they plan on mostly doing major cities like Rome, Florence and Venice - then a train would make more sense. If they want to see small towns and countryside then the car is better.

Driving in Italy is the same as driving in the US. Major cities are crowded, parking is horrible, there are one way streets, etc. But driving everywhere else is fine. The highways are as good as in the US (rest stops are much better). Some people drive very fast, but most drive like they do here. Main difference (which I think is a good thing) is if you're in the left lane you better be passing or going really fast or you'll be tailgated. Off the highways the roads are also just like anywhere else - they range from good, wide roads to narrow dirt roads. Town centers are often very narrow streets and often pedestrian only - but there are parking lots surrounding them and it's much nicer to walk in towns without cars.

I drive in Italy a lot. The only thing I would add to the other's posts is that after dark, the trucks come out and OWN the road. so, my advice would be to minimize driving at night.

I laughed about the road signage comment, though. Flyfish is 100% correct on the autostradas. However, on the smaller roads, my DH and I joke about the Italians being very fond of 12 point font.

BTW, we always drive...we like the convenience and freedom.

Cheers,
Jan

Driving on the autostrada in Italy is about the same as driving on interstate highways in the US - tedious. The Italians do drive much faster than in the US and the poster who said that you have to stay right unless passing is correct - the cars approach very, very fast.

Given a choice of driving the autostrada or taking trains I would choose trains.

Driving secondary roads is a pleasure. Minimal traffic until you come to the outskirts of a city or large tourist spot. The drivers are courteous - no road rage. Much nicer than driving in the US (at least the part I live in).

For a long trip such as your brother and sil are planning I might think of a combination of trains and rental car. They probably have a few stops where they're planning on sightseeing. If those stops are cities such as Rome or Florence I would train between them. If they're interested in more rural areas then a car is what they'll need.

I would not be apprehensive about driving in Europe. It's a delightful experience.

If you are a competent (rather than timid) driver Italy is no problem at all.

Highway driving is much faster than in the US (limit is 80+ and people routinely drive much faster) and it is imperative that you keep to the right unless passing (or you will find a ferrari flashing, honking and running up your rear).

Big city driving is like other big cities (NYC or Boston) but perhaps a little more so - since there are fewer traffic lights there are more games of chicken at intersections.

If you enjoy driving and are good at it - go for it. If' you're not that comfortable driving in heavy city traffic - or at high speeds - take the train.

FYI - my beau and I always do road trips because we love the freedom and convenience - but then we're both "drivers" rather than "riders".

If they are going to stay on the main highways...navigation is no problem.

The real joy in Italy is driving between some of the small tows..and for that a good map and "navigator" will come in handy.

You wil llearn theat the green signs are for the Autostrada and the blue are geographical.

This is a pic of a signpost in Montepulciano.

http://www.pbase.com/image/22802873

I actually found driving on the Autostrata easier in many respects than driving on the NJ Turnpike or Garden State Parkway. The traffic definately moves at a faster pace. But, drivers don't camp out in the left lane so you actually have less of the cars weaving in and out.

I also noticed that one the routes we took between Genoa and Venice, Venice and Florence, and Florence and Rome, that you had generally less traffic than you might encounter at home.

To me, the complexity of driving in Italy was in the cities. Vespa drivers go where they want, when they want. Navigating city driving was more of a challenge than what I'm used to even in New York City.

I lived in Naples for three years and I can tell you while I thought driving there was freeing and thrilling, it was also quite dangerous. Many drivers do not consider a red stop light the same way we do. We would simply pause, look both ways to make sure no one was coming and then continue through. Four lane freeways often became five lanes (the shoulder) when there was traffic. Quite often, drivers pass on the freeway shoulder when they wish to pass someone. Also quite often, drivers pass into oncoming traffic on streets and highways. If you can imagine all that and not have a problem with it, then you're ready to drive in Naples.

Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?

A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps?study them in advance?and have a good navigator
* We have rented a car for 20 of our 22 trips to Europe. Our only mishap was a minor fender bender in a leased car, and that was in France.

Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?

A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is AUTOEUROPE [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, full mandatory insurance coverage, and VAT taxes. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.

Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?

A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers?both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing?you should too !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.

OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign ? SENSO UNICO? and take heed [ONE WAY ].

2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb?300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.

3. Do not attempt to follow road numbers?that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination[ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA?SIENA ETC.]

4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.

Topping for Ken

I must admit I am puzzled at how so many people comment on FAST / Aggressive Italian drivers, since I do not seem to read such comments regarding driving in Germany.

Does any who drives in Italy actually think that Italians drive more quickly and aggressively than Germans?

When I'm on the highways in Italy, I am actually quite bored--with the 130 kph speed limits and I've never had more than a handful of people passing me doing more than 160 kph.

In Germany, I'm always running a minimum of 200-210 (if traffic permits), and so do many others. With little traffic, I'll routinely go 225-235 and there are still many a Porsche who will come up behind me quickly.

I just think Italy gets a bad rap regarding crazy driving. That's just never been my experience.

Hands down, the average European driver is much better than the average American driver--due to the rigorous testing for getting a driver's license vis-a-vis the US. Aggressive but safe.

Abig problem are those ****** mopeds - you must always expect them to dart into and out of traffic, coming out of nowhere. Young kids often pilot these loud things - helping to make chaos on roads in cities like Rome.

Italian drivers are not particularly fast, but they are nervous. Driving in Italy is not a problem except in cities. It is not only that the driving habits of the Italians, including moped riders, become more obvious, but the streets are often one way streets and are not parallel to each other. So have fun on the open road and ditch the car as soon as you reach a large town.

Not mentioned thus far is that there will likely be a very hefty drop charge to return an Italian car in Austria. Maybe return it in Trento or Bolzano, and take the train the rest of the way - - assuming there are some driving detinations along the way that make it worthwhile to do this. If they just want point to point travel, then it might be cheaper and faster to fly Germania Express - - see whichbudget.com - - from Naples to Munich, and finish by train.

Best wishes,

Rex

Italian drivers are "nervous"?!?

That has to be one of the more ridiculous statements I have come across in this forum.

Perhaps the word intended was "nervy," which, according to Webster's can mean "showing calm courage : BOLD."

That might be closer to the truth. While I don't drive myself, I've frequently driven with Roman friends in Rome. An Italian driver can usually judge whether he has a clearance of a centimeter on either side and, if he does, he will gleefully drive into a space that most North American drivers would consider impossible.

And that is because an Italian driver, unlike most North American drivers, knows exactly what he can do and does it with sangfroid (for those not familiar with the term: imperturbability) and, above all, discipline.

Riffic -

Agree with you that naturally highway driving in Germany is much faster - since in many places there are no limits for cars. And since big Mercs, BMWs and Porsches are fairly common you are undoubtedly going to fairly soon run into a blur coming up behind you at 200 plus. (There's nothing like flooring the gas to get out of the way of the 200+ black blur and then having it pull into the right lane directly in front of you only to be immediately passed by the 250+ red blur behind him.)

But the in-town driving is definitely much less chaotic than in Italy (at least in my experience - perhaps because the centers of so many of the cities were reconstructed from their mideival design by WWII.

And the query, after all, was about italy.

Thanks to all of you for your responses. Having driving extensively all over Europe (except Italy) I would agree that the most aggressive drivers we have come across were on the Autobahn in Germany. We love the freedom of having our own vehicle. From your answers, it looks like they should do some of both, train and car.

I love Dick's photo of the signpost! We've seen a few of those in our travels. Special thanks to BobtheNavigator for the detailed instructions. I've been checking out the Auto Europe website.

Italy is my fav place to drive. They are aggressive and good drivers who stay to the right if slower moving. A car gives us freedom to do what and when we want all over Italy. We like to stop at the rests/bars on the autostrada and get a sandwich and cappucino while on the road.

It was not as hard as I had feared. Biggest most pleasant surprise was that in a week of heavy driving on both the autostrada and secondary roads, we hit no traffic, no lane closures, no accidents and no construction. None. Even at rush hour driving into Florence, and Friday afternoon heading for the beach. We lost no time due to traffic. We did, however, lose a lot of time on secondary roads getting lost. And gas is hideously expensive (about $5.25 per gallon). But all in all, I would definitely rent a car again, particularly if I am not staying in a major city.