Italy transfers - Help!!
 

Ok so now i am feeling a little panicky. My husband and I are going to Florence first(taking two trains from FCO to florence) then venice then rome.

Everyone on this site has been helpful in how to book the trains between the cities but now i am wondering what to do between the train and our hotels?

How expensive are the taxis? Can we walk?

In Rome we are staying at the Sofitel (near the trevi fountain) How far is this from the train station? Can we walk?

We figured we have to book a car directly to the airport because it will be too stressful to find our way to Termini station and then to the airport by 9am for our departure.

Does anyone know about florence train station? We are staying at the Hotel Gallery Art (near the continental hotel I think and not far from the Uffuzzi)

And in Venice i think our hotel is not too far from Plaza San Marco - it's called Hotel Liassidi i think.

I just don't know why i did not think this through regarding getting from train to hotel...

Relax! No problem. Taxis are not that expensive between stations and hotels.

In Florence,if your hotel is near the Uffizi, I would take a taxi. They are right outside the station. Too far to drag luggage. The same for Rome.

You must get on the taxi lines and never go with a driver that comes up to you to offer rides.

In Venice when you get off the train you will walk through the station and right there are vaparetti. I forgot which number takes you to San Marco, but you can ask.

From Rome to the airport you are better booking a car. You can do it through your hotel or contact www.airportshuttle.it. Even though the train is easy and cheaper, you never know if trains go on strike. I think the trains to the airport don't even start until 7:00 am.

thank you so much! Just to get an idea, what would a cab ride be from termini to the spanish steps area?

or florence to the uffizi for that matter?

Do you know anything about taking a private car to florence from Leonardo da Vinci? I am thinking after two trains and a taxi a private car might be cheaper??

thank you

A private car from Rome airport to Florence would be a couple of hundred euros - way more than 2 train fares and a quick cab ride.

I can understand the desire not to do all that trekking train to train etc after a long flight - but I think the cost will be MUCH more.

You would have to arrange this in advance - so contact 1 or 2 of the reco'd car companies for Rome and ask them for a price.

Termini to the Spanish Steps will be about 8-10 Euro by taxi.

Santa Maria Novella to the Uffizi about 6-8 Euro.

A private car from FCO to Florence will definitely not be cheaper than the two trains and a taxi: 11 Euro + 51.30 in first class or 36.10 in second and taxi comes to a maximum of 132.60 Euro. A private car will cost at least 300 Euro.

thank you again. yes, it is significantly more for a private care. about 480 euro.

this may be a silly questions, but do the taxi;s in italy have meters running so you can see how much you owe? I remember a few taxis in other countries that did not have this and they just quoted you a price (sometimes ridiculous too)

Italy has a set fee for taxis coming from the airport (was 40€), but I'm not sure if it's the same going to the airport.

Taxis usually have meters running if they're within each town or a fixed amount from airport to town center. But - if you're taking from one town to another you need to organize a fee in advance - and I would get it in writing.

thanks. It is recommended to coordinate a transfer back to the aiport in Rome or just take a taxi?

Sounds like the price might be the same?

The website i booked our tickets on offered private car service back to the airport for 98 US dollars. Sort of equivalent to 50 Euros i feel like now, so i am wondering if i should just book it or if i would find a better deal elsewhere.

Rome Shuttle Limousine is 35€.
http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/FiumicinoE.htm

I just returned from a Rome vacation and spent over $1,000 on Rome Shuttle Limousine's services. I do NOT recommend them. Stay away. All over the site they advertise a Mercedes Benz fleet. Two of our rides were in dirty old cars, a Chrylser mini-van and Lancia. The latter vehicle had no air conditioning. I complained but they don't care.

We had a fine experience with Rome shuttle Limousine! It was a mini-van, not dirty or old, it arrived exactly on time, the driver was friendly and helpful, and we got to the airport in good time even though there was briefly a traffic jam.

ssc229:

May I suggest that you invest in a calculator that has a currency exchange rate conversion function? At the current rate (roughly 1.5 dollars:1 euro) 50 euros is about $75. You may save yourself some money when shopping, buying.

We enjoyed the services of DriverInItaly[.com], including station to hotel transfers, throughout Italy and the three cities you will visit. Not inexpensive

Just to let you know, romeshuttlelimousine failed to pick me up at FCO in May. I arrived on time, waited and waited, but nobody showed. I tried to call, but didn't get an answer(it was a Sunday). I know a lot of people on this site have used and reccommend them(which is why I booked with them), but I was left hanging. There are taxi stands right outside, but I was charged 50 euro to get to my hotel. I am sure there is a good reason why I wasn't picked up after reading so many reccommendations, I am just giving you the info.

In Venice you can easily take a vaporetto (bus/boat) to your hotel near San Marco. I'm not sure the exact price but they are not expensive.

Contact your hotel in advance (or check if they have a website) and ask which # route you need. Likely there will be some walking involved, possibly stairs or bridges from the vaporetto stop to get to your hotel. If you are packed lightly (one small rolling suitcase each) this will be much easier to manage.

I want to add as a general note of reassurance (I have not been to Rome or Florence) most anywhere there is a train station, there will be taxis or some kind of transporation available.

Just remember there are thousands of who do exactly what you plan to do, every day!
:-)