HAWAIIKAI

I am spending 6 weeks in Italy with my kids and parents.- there will 6 of us.My main questions at the moment is about how to get around. Italy seems to have a vast train system...is it reasonably priced and seems easy enough to get from place to place. We are deliberating between using trains / buses or renting a car. Because of the children we are staying in one place for about a week at a time and planning on day trips e.g Pistoia for a week, Rome for a week etc etc. Renting a car would definitely be much easier and more convenient but I not having much luck in finding reasonable rental rates at this time - especially as the car/van needs to hold 6!! Any advice would be appreciated!

Marko

Did a lot of northern Italy a few years ago with 4 kids in tow. Use the trains !!! Way to easy and most stations are so central, more room in trains for kids to !!

cathies

If you do end up renting a car/van don't forget you will need to be able to fit everyone's luggage. The Italian trains are great and I think it's a much less stressful way to travel.

Hope you have a great time - how lucky, 6 weeks in Italy!!

ira

Hi HK,

Italian trains are cheap and reasonably reliable.

Italian auto rental is expensive, because you must buy the CDW. You will also need an IDP for each driver - see http://www.aaasouth.com/home.asp

You don't want a car in Rome, but there could be other parts of your trip where it would be useful. What's your itinerary?

suze

For most place I'd prefer the train, that way everyone can have space, move around, have snacks, read, look out the window, etc. A car is more confining. Though perhaps for getting to certain particular towns might be required?

HAWAIIKAI

Thanks for the info on the trains !!
We have 3 weeks in Sardinia, 5 days in Rome and then a week in Pistoia. Following Pistoia we have about 5 days to get back to london to return to the States. My main concern was the time period between leaving Rome and the time in Pistoia...however so far, I have not been able to find a reasonable way to rent/lease a car. With 6 passengers + luggage we are moving in to the bigger vehicles. I am almost considering renting 2 smaller vehicles!
Has anyone got any info on Sardinia. We are staying there for 3 weeks in Bosa. I have a car for a week but then was going to rely on public transport..?

Kaneohe

Definitely stick with the trains whenever possible and avoid driving in Roma and Milano. Traffic in both of these cities can be very heavy and parking is a big problem.
Aloha and Buona Fortuna!
K