When traveling in Italy is renting a car or rail best?

Question

Of course we want to see the museums and shop, sample different foods in the various regions. But, we also want to get see the smaller less traveled places. So any input as to the best way to make the best use of our little time (10 days)-would be great.

Answer 1

In the travelogues on our web site, you will read that our preference is to travel by rail: http://www.thetravelzine.com  

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

I'd say by rail. We traveled by tour bus and that was pretty scary watching the bus driver drive and how 90% of other drivers drove.  Plus, you'd get to enjoy the sights/view better when you didn't have to fear for your life. While we were in the bigger cities there were other ways to get around rather than depending on a car. In Rome for example, we did a lot of walking and taking the Metro and were able to get all over the place.  You get to experience the area better that way.

Answer 3

Depends what you want to do.  If you are going just city to city, spending a few days in each place, rail would be best and cheapest.  Some Italian cities are a nightmare to park in, near impossible to find a good place to park and what you do find will cost a lot, this is especially the case in Venice and Rome.   If you wanting to explore more the countryside, I would rent a car.  You can always do many rail travel and rent a car for a few days if you don't want to be in big cities all the time.  For a 10 day trip, I would imagine that rail would the best way to go.

Answer 4

I vote rail.  The rail system is very good. I've travelled twice in Italy.  Why take on the headache of a car?  The distances between cities doesn't make it worth renting a car.

Answer 5

Definitely by rail.  Renting a car in Italy is very expensive, plus driving in any metro area is quite hectic.  We planned on renting a Vespa when we were in Florence.  As soon as we saw the traffic we ditched that idea.  If you ride the local trains they really do stop off the beaten path.  I would really check your plans before you leave, because trying to fit in more than 3 cities in 10 days will leave you exhausted and not remembering much.

For example, we had 2 days in Venice.  I wish I had another day to just wander the streets.  We had three days in Florence.  One day we did all the touristy spots on a sightseeing bus.  The second day we went up to Fiosole on the same type of bus and did some exploring.  The third day we walked around Sole.  It is a great neighborhood with a lot of artists.  I wish I had time to take a day trip to some vinyards and to Pisa, but we just couldn't fit it in.  We spend 4 days in Rome.  Here is where you could definitely save some time.  Rome was my least favorite place.  You can see all the major sites and neighborhoods in 2 - 3 days depending on how much time you want to spend in museuems and sites.  My favorite part of Rome was Testavere.  Since we were there in March, going to the sea side was pretty pointless, but if you are going to be there in the summer definitely take a day trip out to the ocean.  

Check out the book "Let's Go Italy."  This book was indespensible to us while we were in Italy.  It tells you about all different areas, where to stay, what to see, where to eat, etc.  It also has a ton of money saving techniques and routes if you want to see the whole country in a number of days.  I think it was like $12 at Barnes and Noble.

Answer 6

Most of my family lives just south of Rome and my wife and I visit there almost every year.

Rome, is extremely difficult to get around.  I have driven in Milan, Verona and Florence and they are not as difficult, but the streets are not well marked.  Also, it is required that you purchase all the extra insurance.  This gets very expensive.

Since you are going to be in Italy for only 10 days, I am assuming that you are not going to jump between too many cities.  I am also assuming that you are flying in and out of the same city.  I will also assume it is Rome.

Do not rent a car while you are in Rome.  It is very difficult to get around and between the bus, subway and walking you should be able to see everything in the city that you would want to see.  Be prepared that you buy your bus tickets in the tabacci stores.  The fines are pretty hefty if you do not have a ticket.

When your time in Rome is complete, arrange to get your rental car.  This will save you money for the days that you are staying in Rome.  Since I am assuming that you are flying in and out of Rome, go back to the airport to pick up the rental.  This will save you a lot of time when you are ready to leave.

From the airport, you will be able to head north or south.  Both directions have a lot to see and it is up to you.  Many of the small towns have museums and other attractions.

Once out of the vicinity of Rome, you will have very little difficulty on the Autostrada.  Last summer when I was in Italy, there was construction north of Florence (Firenze) and the traffic was pretty bad, but other than construction, there is relatively no problem.

Getting off the Autostrada and going into the small towns is relatively easy.  The most difficult part is knowing where you are going.  Street signs virtually do not exist so make sure you have a good map for each region you are visiting.  They have regional maps at the airport and they are well worth the money you will pay.

***Locals drive like idiots and the rural intersections are very dangerous.  I was t-boned by a drunk driver who was traveling over 100 km/hour on a road that was only 20 feet wide.  Please be very careful.***

Rent a diesel vehicle if available.  They are not like diesel vehicles in the states.  You will get better gas mileage (gas is very expensive).

Once on the rural roads, you will see signs directing you to various tourist locations.  They are very helpful in getting you to the attraction, but gettig back can be difficult.  Remember the small cities you travel through as it will help you map your way back.

Once again, buy the regional map as it will highlight every little city you travel through.

Have a safe trip and be careful on the roads.

One last note, the Autostrada has a speed limit of 130 km/hour and they are cracking down.

Answer 7

If you are mostly going to be in larger cities then the train is fine but if you want to explore the less travelled places and really get to know a region then a car is essential. I would suggest hire a car and focus on one or two regions. Stay outside of the main cities but somewhere near a station so that when you need to go into the major cities of your region park the car at the station and catch the train in for the day.

Answer 8

Definitely renting a car is better if you want to visit small places outside the tourist track.

Answer 9

It really depends on a lot of things.

Getting around by rail is much easier and fairly convenient -- Plus it's rail travel part of the romance of visiting Europe? But as you point out it won't always get you to the smaller, less-traveled place and driving a car in Italy can be hair-raising and it's a nightmare to park in any of the cities.

You don't say where you are traveling. This can make a difference. For example in Tuscany you can still see some small hill towns by public transport and if you go to the Amalfi Coast you wouldn't want a car at all!

Hope this helps.