Hello,

Four of us are planning a trip to Italy next spring. I am the only one who has been there before. (all in our late 20s). When i had been there (and other countries in Europe before) we had always traveled to all our destinations by train. It was always so easy and no hassle. This time I was possibly thinking of doing something a little different and renting a car to travel. this would give us a little more flexibility as far as some of the smaller cities that we might stop at along the way.

our very early itinerary looks like this. Milan --> Venice --> Florence --> some smaller Tuscan towns (montalcino, siena, san gimingiano, possibly lucca, pisa) --> Rome ... fly home. we are lookin at 14 day stay roughly.

I guess what I am asking is 1) is it worth it to rent a car for 4 people, as opposed to 4 people purchasing train/bus tickets to each of these destinations 2) how difficult is it transitioning from U.S. driving to Italy driving 3) how would you approach this trip as far as transportation 4) is it a good idea to rent just to experience a little something different 5) are gas prices outrageous and would it at all be cost effective to drive.

Thank you in advance for any advice on this. I have found no better place to receive advice than from the Fodorites who have traveled these paths before.

We had a five week trip in Italy years ago and only used public transport - mainly trains but also buses, vaporetto, funicular, ferry etc. We were glad we didn't have a car.

Things to think about:
- the high cost of fuel
- the high cost of road tolls
- often impossible to park and if you do find parking, you will have to pay
- narrow roads in villages that are difficult to navigate
- getting lost
- the driver can't look around as he has his eyes on the road
- the navigator can't look around as he is checking the map

If you are all in a carriage together (reserve seats so you can do this, there is a small extra cost) you can talk about the day's plans, eat a picnic, read, look at the scenery and generally relax.

As far as costs go, you need to do a bit of research on how much the trains will cost. We ended up buying point to point tickets once we were in Italy, a few days to a week in advance and had no problems. We went pretty much where you are going plus more (Cinque Terre, Sorrento etc).

Kay

I haven't driven in Italy for 45 years, so I'm probably the wrong person to ask, but...

In general, renting is cheaper than train fare for four. But not a lot cheaper once you factor in parking, tolls, and fuel (not to mention fines, which seem to appear out of nowhere in Italy.)

For many years, our family of 5 has used trains and local transport to explore cities, and occasionally rented a car for a day or two to reach an otherwise inaccessible area. In cities, a car is a liability, not an asset. Around Land's End, Bath/Salisbury, and Bayeux we hired taxis for private tours for less than what a car would have cost.

Perhaps this hybrid approach would work for your party. I avoid renting whenever possible just to reduce the hassle factor to manageable proportions.

Well, you certainly aren't going to want a car in any of those cities you're visiting, so it looks as though the only place a car would come in handy would be in Tuscany. If it were my trip, I'd take trains between Milan and Venice, and Venice and Florence, and then rent a car and tour Tuscany for however long you've got and drive south from there to Rome (leaving the car on the outskirts, or even somewhere north like Chiusi or Orvieto, where there's easy train service to Rome).

Whether it's "worth it" or not depends on a cost comparison. Gas is more expensive than in the USA, but not significantly so, especially given what we've been paying in the past few months. Rent a diesel car - you'll get fabulous mileage.

I can't say how you'd transition from driving in the US to driving in Italy. I personally love driving in Italy - a lot more than in the US! Traffic moves fast, but I have a lot more faith in Italian drivers than most on the roads where I live in the USA. You'll need an international driver's permit.

I agree with Stcirq, especially with 4 of you. Get the car as you leave Florence and pick a base camp in south Tuscany or near Siena. Here is some help:

DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE

Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a GOOD NAVIGATOR.
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors

Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is AUTOEUROPE [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, full mandatory insurance coverage, and VAT taxes. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.

Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—YOU SHOULD TOO !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.

OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.

NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $10. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.

With only 14 days and four major cities already listed, I don't think you will have time for all those Tuscan towns. Some of them can easily be done by train or bus from Florence (all but Montalcino). Pisa and Lucca are only 20 minutes apart by train and both are about 70 minutes by train from Florence (around 10E round trip). Siena is an hour from Florence by bus (about 6E one way). San G is closer to Florence than Siena and can also be reached by bus. I don't think you can rent a car, pay gas, pay tolls, pay parking for 40-50E per day that the train/bus would cost. If you were mainly seeing remote hilltowns then you would need a car.

Hi G,

You will only want a car in Tuscany.

Pick it up in Venice, drop it off in or near Florence, train to Rome.

Or

Stay in Tuscany, take a bus to Florence for the day.

Drop the car in Orvieto or Chiusi before training Rome.

Enjoy your visit.

thank you all for your responses. i am now leaning toward public transportation for the majority of the trip, with possibly renting a car when leaving florence, to travel to some of the smaller tuscan towns. this will give us the flexibility to go to several of the smaller towns that we come across. thank you all again. feel free to continue to offer any advice.

I agree with StCirq too. I don't believe you have really experienced Italy unless you visit Venice, Florence or Siena, the beautiful Tuscany countryside & small hillside villages, and Rome. I wouldn't even think of exploring the Tuscan countryside & villages without a car - especially with ony 14 days.

Personally, I would skip Milan & fly into Venice. Then I would take a train to Florence. Rent a car when you leave Florence & drive through Chianti, visit Volterra, and stay in San G for 1 night. Then head south to Montalcino, Sant Antimo Abbey, Pienza, Montepulciano, the beautiful Val d'Orcia - staying there (Pienza, or Montepulciano) for 2 nights minimum. Then head for Orvieto, visit Orvieto, dump the car, and then take one of the many trains into Rome.

For this itinerary, you won't be on any toll roads - with perhaps the exception of the short section between Montepulciano & Orvieto.

Get a diesel car - better mileage & less expensive fuel costs/liter.

Every small Tuscan town I mentioned has parking outside of town, so you don't need to drive on medieval streets. Pick up picnic provisions in Montalcino & have a picnic lunch at Sant Antimo. Getting lost in the Val d'Orcia is a plus!

Stu Dudley

Greekgazoo,

I agree with St.Cirq and Stu. You definitely need a car for the Tuscany portion and don't want one for the rest.

I agree you don't have time to do all the places you name in 14 days. Milan would be the most skippable.

Remember - you will need a good sized car to handle luggage for 4 people - even if you travel with minimal 21" rollers.

Buon viaggio!