Moving around Toscana
 

In June we will be in Pienza for a week as a home base to explore Val D´Orcia. We are planning to rent a car for 3 days to move around the hill towns and use public transportation (bus) to visit bigger cities such as Firenze and Siena.
I read somewhere that there are no buses out of Pienza on Sundays. Is that true? Can anyone help me with more information about buses and trains in that area? I am aware that the closest train station is in Chiusi, about 40 miles from Pienza. Thanks!

You should check the rental rate for 3 days vs. 5 days. Usually the 5 day rate is less expensive and having a car in Pienza will give you more flexibility. I stayed in Pienza and visited Siena with a car. There was plenty of parking in the large parking decks.

Sorry I can't help with bus info.

For your itinerary a car makes much more sense. Trains ad buses do run between a lot - but not all - places, but the schedules can be minimal - esp on weekends. With a car you go where/when you want - no waiting and multiple changes.

mmcs,
See http://www.trainspa.it/train04/extraurbano.pdf
it loads slow.

I am considering renting for the whole week. The problem I am the only one, in a group of four, that would take the challenge to drive in Italy! So... I am trying to avoid “autoestradas”…
Henry, great info. I found the 112 bus to and from Siena.
Thank you all.

Also, if you are from N. America - be sue to get an international drivers permit.

Renting a car is def. easier because I found that a lot of the train schedules in the smaller towns were very erratic (if they showed up at all). It's convenient to make your own schedule and not have to rush to catch a train or bus.

The autostrada is really not that bad. Just don't drive in the left lane unless you are passing! We got honked at a lot for that mistake lol.

Also be careful on the traffic circles b/c I found there were a ton (at least in the Lucca area where I stayed) and the rules of the traffic circle were basically pray and go :)

I highly suggest you rent the car for the entire week. It won't cost much more than the 3 days. Driving to Siena would not be a problem (no autostadas) and you can avoid the autostadas on a trip to Florence. Park the car in a town with a convenient train connection (Siena, Buonconvento) to Florence.

Also, not sure if this is possible, but you might want to consider staying a night or two or more in Florence rather than doing a long day trip from Pienza. Florence has so much to offer- a long day trip does not do it justice. Spend your week in the Val d'Orcia IN/NEAR the Val d'Orcia exploring the beautiful countryside, nearby towns, sights, food/wine and relaxing. Slow down and enjoy where you are.

The autostrada does not run between Pienza and Siena. I drove as far north as Volterra and San Gimignano on secondary roads and you can probably get to Florence on secondary roads as well.

You found the bus, but didn't pay attention to the schedule legend. The crossed hammers mean works days (Monday - Saturday). If you don't see a cross at the top (cross means Sunday and holidays), then there isn't a Sunday bus. Look above the crossed hammers and you will notice some buses marked scolastico (means students will be riding this to and from school at that time), estivo (summer) or invernale (winter).

No bus out of Pienza to Siena on Sunday.

honestly, mmcs, after 30 mins you'll wonder what the fuss was all about, so long as you stay out of the centre of places like florence.

you're even driving on [what is for you] the right side of the road, unlike us Brits, who have to drive on the wrong side! we're taking our car to France in the summer, so even the steering-wheel will be in the worng place.

annhig is absolutely correct. I'd much rather drive in Italy than at home - the Italians are courteous and don't try to run you over when you're crossing the street. Nothing is worse than driving in NJ.

Despite my aprehension, I found driving in tuscany easy. We picked up our car in Siena and drove around southern Tuscany. It really was not a problem. We even drove on the autostrada (from Chiusi to Orvieto) It was simpler than driving N. American freeways.

you really don't need to worry about driving in Italy - just have someone ride shotgun to look at the signs at the roundabouts to tell you which way to go. And everyone is right - the autostrada is a piece of cake. Just remember to STAY RIGHT unless you are passing someone (not usually a problem - the Italians are the ones doing all the passing). You will really love the freedom.

I have driven in Italy (as a solo female traveler) from:

Venice to Florence (drop car in Florence)
Florence to San Gim and Siena (pick up car when leaving Florence)
Siena to Assisi (even drove the tiny lanes in Assisi alone to the parking garage at the top of town)
Assisi to Orvieto
Orvieto to Sorrento (drop car in Sorrento)

No problems, no tickets. Freedom to do what I want, go where I want, when I want.

WOW!!!! Lots of encouragement to drive! So… I will go for it. I already got my international permit, docdan. Actually I am from Brazil so driving is really hectic and that’s why I was looking forward not driving at all. Italy can’t be worse than here!
Well, I am aware about no buses on Sundays (we are planning to include Sunday on our rental).
Regarding Florence, we all have been there before, so that’s why we are going just for the day. We are staying about 10 days, a week in Val D´Orcia and a couple of days for day trips to Siena and Florence.
Thank you all! Ciao!

>>>Well, I am aware about no buses on Sundays<<<

There are buses in Tuscany in some areas on Sunday, just not Pienza/Siena.

Get the TCI Toscana map.
http://www.amazon.com/Tuscany-1-2000...0&sr=8-1-spell

Use mappy.com or viamichelin.com for driving times.

kybourbon, thanks for the tips! I am familiar with viamichelin, but not mappy.com. I will check. By the way, I decided to rent the car for a week!