How hard is it to travel around Italy in a car? if I stayed somewhere for a week could I travel from there?

Question

I am looking to rent a place somewhere in Italy but would like to see Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Sorrento...had thought about renting a car, is it trickey to get around? or easier to do daily train trips?

Answer 1

I suggest:

fly to rome, then take a train to florence and then rent a car a travel around tuscany

You don't need a car in rome and in Florence and the train stations in this two cities are really central and well connected by train

ciao

Allessandro

Answer 2

It's not difficult to get around by car, but gas is expensive and it's not always easy to find parking if you're going to a large city. I've lived here in northern Italy for 9 years and almost always take the trains to travel. It's cheaper and more convenient if you're traveling alone. A car becomes more cost effective for a group of people. I basically use the car to get to and from work, to go places not on a train line, or to go to the train station.

The trains are relatively inexpensive to use in Italy. There are frequent trains and they run close enough to on-time that there aren't usually big problems. The stations are usually located close to the attractions you want to see. However, if you're renting a place in the countryside rather than in a city, you might need the car. Right now, there's a strike and the gas stations are closed through the end of the week - that's very rare though.

Answer 3

If you want an "Adventure Holiday", fly to Milan, rent a car and discover Italy on some of the best, but also most expensive  "Toll Motor"  roads (Autostrade) in Europe. The "Adventure" is in dodging crazy, individual  would be racing drivers, let loose on the general population. The other positives are you really see the small enchanting hill towns and cute country villages and not only the "Icons" like Venice, Florence and Rome. You’ll be surprised just how many masterpieces there are in small, unknown places. Alessandro is, however, right about moving around within such major cities: park the car in a supervised garage and then take local transport or walk, it’s healthier, cheaper and more worthwhile. This is especially true in cities like Naples, where there is an established rule to do what is not allowed. The current joke is: in Milan you must stop at a Red light, you should think about stopping in Rome, but in Naples it’s just one of many opinions.

Answer 4

take the trains...they're realitivly cheap....those cities are a nightmare in a car....

Answer 5

It's not really all that tricky to get around by auto 'cept for the fact that gas is extraordinarily expensive in Italy... then if you are using USD's you're screwed.

Do what Conley's suggests and use the trains. You can really get into some pretty far off places with the trains in Italy... and if you what to push further into the hinterland then buses are your next reliable bet.

Italy and most of Europe for that matter has a very good rail system (compared 100x's more) than the States. And even though fares are soon going to cost more, it's still a great deal (as far as I'm concerened).

PS - Ciao AlexCJ - non ti vedo da un sacco. Tutto bene?

Answer 6

You do not need a car in Venice, Rome or Florence.  Actually, they are more of a hindrence in those cities.  

If you have less than 4 people take the train.  Gas prices are closer together now, but the trains are very inexpensive and comfortable.  There are also buses that travel from city to city.