We are flying into Nice, France and out of Venice, Italy. We have rented a car for 7 days, automatic, for 4 people for about $900 dollars. Now we are reconsidering the car and thinking maybe we should buy tickets for the eurail but we dont know which would be less expensive. The eurail with taxis in Nice and Venice taking us everywhere OR gas, and parking with a car. Any suggestions?

Also...any must sees or advice during carnavale?

Thanks.

If the $900 includes the cost of dropping off a French rental car in Italy, I say keep the car for sure.

(I hope you haven't rented the car to cover the days you will be in Venice, since cars are not allowed there.)

For one, whatever you decide, you won't need/want a eurail pass. Point to point tickets are almost certainly cheaper. And for 2 -- what do you hope to do w/ the car when you are in Venice??

Where (if anywhere) are you planning to go besides Nice and Venice?

Last May, we took the train from Venice to Santa Margherita Ligure, then on to Nice a few days later. We didn't even consider getting a car, because it's really a pain in the cities. I don't remember how much the point-to-point EuroStar and inter-city tickets were, but I can't imagine they would be more than a car. Of course, for four people, I could be wrong. But the train system is a nice alternative to all the driving we do in the U.S., so why not relax and give it a try.

There are several nice day-trips from Nice via train and bus. For example, we took the city bus to see the Ephrussi-Rothschild estate one day and the train to beautiful Antibes another day. Nice is a very walkable city. As is, of course, Venice.

Have fun planning your trip!
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Hi D,

Unless you are planning to spend a few days driving from Nice to Venice, I suggest that you take the train.

2cl tickets are $68 pp. 1 cl are $108

If you decide to take the night train, it will still be less than the car rental.

You can buy your tickets in Nice at the train station.