Hello,

We will be staying in Siena for 5 days in mid-April. We have thought about renting a car during our 5 day stay but are now leaning more to possibly just using public transportation (more than likely bus). We are interested in seeing San Gimignano, Montalcino, possibly Chiusi and some other tuscan towns.

For cost and convenience which means is better?

Thanks

No question---you need a car to see Tuscany well.

I agree with Bob. Public trans is just too time-consuming.

Hi Gg,

Siena to Florence or San G and other towns will take about 1:15 - 2 hr.

San G. by bus is easy as they run almost hourly.

Montalcino would be more of a problem unless you go very early because they don't have many afternoon returns. No busses between 2:30 and 7:30 to get you back to Siena.

Chiusi is impossible. It would be 3 hours one way and 3 changes of busses.

Enter your cities and be sure to check return routes. Keep in mind if you are traveling on Sunday, they will be less frequent.
http://www.busfox.com/timetable/

Bus to San G is easy, convenient and very, very cheap. Been there, done it. We had a local bus about half full of kids. It took about an hour. The bus drops off and picks up just opposite the San G main entrance.

We also took the bus to another Tuscan town, the name of which escapes me, just for the heck of it. It was small, charming and took about 1/2 hour.

Buses take you right to the top of the hill towns usually IME

When driving, at least in peak season like the week before and after Easter you may have to hunt for a parking lot that still may be a hike up to the top where the bus dumps you off.

There is an extensive bus service in the area with tons of departures, etc. You take the same roads as you would drive without the hassle of finding parking, etc. And the buses are dirt cheap

I took the train from Siena to Chiusi and it was easy.

Just take the local bus (I've forgotten which one, but you can easily ask) to the Siena train station. The train I took did not require a change, although it made a few stops. I believe it took around 1-1.5 hours.

Once you arrive in Chiusi, in front of the train station you will need to hop on a local bus and take the short ride up the hill to the old town. Or, take a taxi (~10 Euro ride).


The bus from Siena to San G leaves frequently. Very easy.

The bus from Siena to Montalcino leaves early in the morning. Check the schedule or ask at the bus ticket booth the day prior. It takes about an hour to get to Montalcino.

<<For cost and convenience which means is better?>>

I have done all of these trips using public transportation. I have also rented a car and driven throughout Tuscany. I prefer the car (convenience), but public transportation will cost less (cost).

ok, it seems my friends and i have decided to stick to the public transportation route. we are now down to planning out our 5 day stay.

We will be staying in Siena for 5 nights. so with our 5 days were are thinking about the following:

Friday (April 10) - Arrive early from Florence and siteseeing Siena, just walking around the town

Saturday (April 11) - Bus to San Gimignano for the day.

Sunday (April 12) - Easter sunday, prob go to church in Siena and stay around the town all day today.

Monday (April 13) - Train to Chiusi for the day

Tuesday (April 14) - bus to either Montalcino or Montapulciano.

Wednesday (April 15) - leave for Rome


Any advice on any of this plan from those who have traveled to tuscany before would be WONDERFUL. also, would you add additional towns to this itinerary, maybe on the Chiusi day or the Montalcino day?

thanks !!!

Good bus link, kyb.

Thanks

Not much in Chiusu IMO - at least compared to Montepulciano just a short bus ride away. Or one of Italy's fanciest spa towns is just a few minutes bus ride into the hills - Chiancano Terme (not sure of name but many hotels, good bus service, etc - on the way to Monetpulciano.

Check on what will be open/closed in Chiusi on a Monday. I agree with PalenQ-Montepulciano would be a better town to visit than Chiusi.

I suggest you not add another day trip. You can use the time to explore Siena.

so maybe best to do...

Monday (April 13) - bus to Montalcino

Tuesday (April 14) - bus to Montapulciano

to make sure we see both of these towns?

can we do both in one day or is that asking too much with public transportation?

Hmmm ! Why does that surprise me? Forget Chiusi--do both of the Mont. towns.

Don't try to do both when relying public transportation.

Greekgazoo,

Since you are ending up in Rome, why don't you relocate south for the final two days of your 5 days?

I can't really advise specifically because I haven't done it myself, but if the bus connections work I would be tempted to go to Montepulciano to spend the two nights, using one day to visit Montalcino, and then bus to Chiusi to catch the train. If you timed it right, you could probably stow your luggage at the train station while you visited Chiusi and the Etruscan museum. Then take the train to Rome.

You need to check the bus schedules and find out if there is a left luggage depot in the Chiusi station.

Of course, not the same day.

I was in Chiusu-Ch-T station last Jan and do not recollect any luggage storage but obviously could be wrong - usually someone somewhere will watch your bags - a cafe, etc.

I agree with zeppole.

Why not spend two or three nights in Siena, then move south for a couple of nights?

How many friends? Have you thought about taxis? Why Chiusi?

You need to check all towns for Sunday and Monday openings. That can help you make your plans. Find out when shops, museums, churches and other major sites are open.

There are many areas of Italy that are easy to see and to travel around by public transport. Tuscany is not one of them.

Greekgazoo,

Driving in Tuscany is a pleasure. I still say get a car. Then you won't be so limited, make discoveries, and visit Sant'Antimo when you visit Montalcino. Maybe add Monte Olivetto when you visit Montepulciano....stop for photo ops, etc.