Train travel costs vs. Car rental

Old Nov 18th, 2002, 02:40 PM
  #1  
Ken L
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Train travel costs vs. Car rental

We were considering taking trains between these cities: 1) Florence to Venice 2) Venice to La Spezia (Monterosso al Mar?)
3) La Spezia (or Monterosso) to Brescia

In Brescia, we'd planned to rent a car to drive around the Lakes area then to Tuscany and Umbria areas.

Does anyone know approximate costs of these inter city train trips? If train costs approximate those of car rental charges, perhaps we should rethink? Thanks again for your help. Ken L
 
Old Nov 18th, 2002, 03:02 PM
  #2  
Sue
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Ken, if you go to a website called 'trenitalia' (or google under 'Italian national railway') you can usually bring up the fares you seek and also the schedules. For our trip, we found the train to be both more economical and more practical, with the possible exception of Tuscany. However, we were but two people; you don't mention how many in your party, or their ages (which might be a consideration.) Enjoy your trip.
 
Old Nov 18th, 2002, 03:05 PM
  #3  
Sue
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OOOps, sorry, Ken, the search fare function of www.trenitalia.com isn't working (as alas, it frequently doesn't) but you can still get the schedules.
 
Old Nov 18th, 2002, 03:10 PM
  #4  
Rex
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Ken, no one can answer your question without knowing how people traveling together. Four or more will almost surely be cheaper by car. Perhaps even three or two.

Best wishes,

Rex
 
Old Nov 18th, 2002, 06:41 PM
  #5  
Betsy
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Ken, go to www.railsaver.com and plug in your itinerary. You'll get the cost of point-to-point tickets as well as the cost for a pass (though a pass would probably not be cost effective for you itinerary).

Seems like you're doing some backtracking. Why not go from Florence to La Spezia to Venice to Brescia?
 
Old Nov 19th, 2002, 03:28 AM
  #6  
up
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topping, for Ken.
 
Old Nov 19th, 2002, 03:34 AM
  #7  
Steve James
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Hello Ken,

Here are the rail fares (2nd. class Eurostar)BR>
EURO 27.00 Florence-Venice
EURO 39.50 Venice-La Spezia (via Florence/Pisa)

La Spezia-Brescia should be approx. EURO 20-25.00 via Parma
(no Eurostar or Intercity trains on this route).

Agree with Betsy - it might make more sense to make it a 'circular' tour rather keeping backtracking through Florence.

Hope this helps ...

Steve


 
Old Nov 19th, 2002, 06:33 AM
  #8  
Ken L
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You Fodorites are GREAT!,ie Sue, Rex, Betsy, Steve--& many others who contribute their time, talent, and knowledge to this site. I'm sure you have helped so many with your expertise.
Just a bit more information & comments on our plans:
My wife and I are going, and we are "active" seniors. Yes there is some backtracking; however, I did not want to rent a car two different times as a # of the convents/monasteries have finalized arrival dates already.
I may try to change this though as the Florence to La Spezia to Venice to Brescia makes good sense.
Last thought: If the prices Steve quoted are for Inter City trains (not sure if 2d class Eurostar is the same?)--then I can definitely see a car might be the BEST way to go overall.
Please pardon the long post, but I do appreciate your suggestions. Ken L
 
Old Nov 19th, 2002, 06:40 AM
  #9  
John
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Having a car changes some aspects of most people's trips - where to park at night being one, savings on taxis from train stations to hotels, etc., being another. You might find yourselves choosing different hotels - away from the town centers, for example (which can be a cost advantage too). We always find the increased freedom and flexibility is worth it, regardless of the cost differential (usually minimal when all's considered) but you need to make up your own minds.

One thing to bear in mind is that most large car agencies will allow you to drop the car in a different location than where you picked it up, provided you're in the same country. So "one way" or wandering itineraries can be accommodated.
 
Old Nov 19th, 2002, 07:42 AM
  #10  
cris
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Another option would be to check the cost of the train/car plan with the Eurail Pass-I think it would work well for you depeding on how long you are traveling.
 
Old Nov 19th, 2002, 08:09 AM
  #11  
Andy
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It can be much cheaper to rent a car with a stick shift.

Americans who want to rent a car in Italy should be good drivers. If you are considered a slowpoke driver in the US, you should not drive in Italy. Likewise, if you drive fast but don't look before turning. Driving in the country or in smaller places, like Brescia, is somewhat more sane than Rome.
 
Old Nov 19th, 2002, 08:19 AM
  #12  
Rex
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Thanks for the very kind remarks, Ken. Have a great trip.
 
Old Nov 20th, 2002, 01:09 AM
  #13  
Steve James
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Ken - Eurostar fares are HIGHER than Intercity fares.
You can make a saving by NOT using Eurostars.

INTERCITY fares for those routes are:

EURO 22.00 Florence-Venice (includes reservation)
EURO 27.00 Venice-La Spezia (inc. res)

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S. Re-checking, La Spezia-Brescia is probably nearer EURO 15.00 as it's a non-Intercity train route.







 
Old Nov 20th, 2002, 09:42 AM
  #14  
Ken L
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Thanks again as all the comments & suggestions has helped solved my itinerary confusion. Re-looking at the train schedules & considering the car costs, I think we'll try to fly into Venice and go counter clockwise to Lakes, La Spezia, Pisa, Tuscany etc.
Hope I can get the convents/monasteries to be flexible on my "new" arrival times.

NOW onto reasonable air fares to Italy. Are these best looked for in the spring?

Thanks again to all. Happy holiday seasons. Ken Lansing
 
Old Nov 20th, 2002, 01:34 PM
  #15  
Rex
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I hope I haven't missed it - - but have you said what month - - for your air fare? Can't advise on when to look without knowing when you wish to travel.

And likewise, from where? Keep in mind that you might do well to keep your radar screens open to flights to London, Paris or Brussels as well as to/from Italy - - if you want to save some money (hard to say if the savings will be a little or a lot).
 
Old Nov 20th, 2002, 04:02 PM
  #16  
ttt again
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for Ken...
 
Old Nov 21st, 2002, 03:44 PM
  #17  
Ken L
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Rex, Month is Sep/Oct of 2003. I am staying with just 30 days as I understand the best fares usually have that restriction by the airlines.
We live in a small town in Oregon, so we may have to get to a larger airport for the best fares, ie SFO, Phoenix, Ptld or Sacramento?
We are thinking main flight to London--then Ryanair, etc for flight to Venice. Is it equally as good to look at Paris & Brussels (compared to London)? Perhaps I should post this type of question as a POST & not a reply? Thanks again for the info.
Ken L
 
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