How to get to Orvieto from Florence?
 

I would like to know how to get from Florence to Orvieto. Will I need a car; how long will it take to get there; and should I spend the night in Orvieto or is 1 day enough to see the major points of interest?<BR>Any info. would be helpful;thank you Sherri

I would spend a day in Orvieto, but not stay overnight. Charming town but the high points can definitely be covered in a day. We had a car which was an easy way to get from San Gimignano to Orvieto. Can't speak to distance, but would definitely be less than 3 hours.<BR><BR>www.viamichelin.com is a website that gives you drive times between cities.

Sherri, it's easy to get to Orvieto from Florence; trains run at least every other hour, and take around 2 hours. In Orvieto you don't want a car. Just take the little funicular railway that leaves from near the train station to the top, and then pick up the little bus that shuttles you to the Duomo area.<BR><BR>Whether you spend the night depends on where you're going after Orvieto. If Rome, then sure. If back to Florence, maybe not.

OOps, Sherri, I just checked and the trip time is faster than I thought, less than 90 minutes, not 2 hours.

Orvieto is magical at night after the tourist hoards depart.

Thanks everyone all of the info. provided has ben so helpful; if I were to spend the night in Orvieto does anyone have any suggestions?

Try the Hotel Virgilio. I found it in Margo Classe's book, Hello Italy. Rate was the equivalent of about $80 USD/night with a simple breakfast included. It's just across from the Duomo. Ask for a room at the front overlooking the piazza. Furnishings are 50ish style with little ambience, large bathroom, clean. The location is unbeatable, though. Great gelateria a few doors away.