We're going to be in Rome 5 nights then Tuscany for 3 nights, then the Cinque Terre for 4 nights from Aug 21 to Sept 3. There will be 3 of us - my husband, my 3 year old, and myself. We had initially planned to rent a car at the Rome airport upon completing our 5 nights in Rome, drive to Tuscany, then drive to the CT with a Friday arrival (parking sounds to be a nightmare on weekends). With the gas costs, rental costs, and parking issues in the CT, wondering if it's possible to do this - take the train to Florence (seems easy and relatively affordable with family fare), then possibly rent a car in Florence (would there be anything near the train station??), drive to Tuscany, return the car back to Florence, then take the train to La Spezia and onto CT, then a return train to Rome from La Spezia. Any advice on this? We pack relatively lightly, but with a child (although she does love trains), wondering if advisement would be to just keep w/the car? The only think making me second guess the car was parking in the CT, as I keep seeing posts about the Vernazza lot particularly on weekends.
Posted by
Northborough, MA
636 posts
We drove to Vernazza earlier this month, and we did not regret it. The drive was spectacular; a bit hairy in spots (hairpin turns on single lane roads), but it was fine.
We arrived mid-afternoon on a Sunday, and we had no problem getting a spot in the parking lot. We paid, drove back up to the overnight lot, and took the shuttle that followed us to the lot.
Rather than taking all our stuff with us (5 people, each with a 30" rolling/backpack duffel), we each carried a small backpack instead. (We only stayed for 1 night/1.5 days, so this was easy.) Given the distance from the shuttle to town, then the climb to our hotel (La Mala), that worked out great!
Things to consider ... We were advised by our hotel to call them the morning of our arrival (again, a Sunday), so they could alert the parking lot of our arrival later in the day. They said that this would not reserve a spot, but that it would help.
Vernazza is much less crowded during the week. Even late on a Sunday afternoon, the town was much more crowded that any time on Monday.
Good luck! Despite lots of warnings, we stuck with our car (picked it up when leaving Rome and dropped it off upon arriving in Venice), and we loved the flexibility and convenience that it provided.
Posted by
Anna Texas, USA
144 posts
We just got back from a two week Italy trip. We did trains all the way. Normally in Europe (France - Germany) I drive. I think it would be nice to drive, but you will save yourself a lot of headaches and money by doing trains. I figure you save about half. Think of the safety part with traveling with a small child - any kind of issue while driving could turn in to a major problem. Any way you go you will enjoy it.
Thanks - Bill
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
search the forum and you can see that in Florence a lot of people are getting expensive tickets for driving in locals-only areas. I'd consider renting a car for pickup on the outskirts of town (definitely NOT at the train station which is in the heart of downtown) or take the train out of Florence to a town in Tuscany in/near where you're staying and pickup/return the car there.
For where tourists usually go in Italy, you don't want or need a car except Tuscany and perhaps Amalfi coast. Trains run often (MUCH more often than we're used to here in the US), the station is in the heart of downtown, and you don't have to drive in traffic thru cities with road-plans that predate the car by 5-20 centuries.
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
You can reach the places you wish to visit via train. I always take the train when possible as cars & particularly gas are expensive and parking can be hard to find.
Posted by
Ballston Lake, NY, USA
157 posts
I just returned from some time in Italy and I had rented a car. I have done both trains and cars on previous trips. I prefer the car outside of the major cities (like Rome) Renting at the Rome airport and then driving will be costly with gas and tolls but I believe it is worth it especially with a three year old - you can get out and eat when and where you want and of course you can stop and see the scenery you want. The roads in and around CT are very scenic and I like driving them but as the other post commented they can be narrow and they are switchback roads - whoever is driving will likely find it more enjoyable than the passenger! Another reason I prefer the car is the issue I have with the trains in Italy - they go on strike at random intervals. I do not like the idea of being stranded and or scurrying around to fix the strike problem
Parking the car in CT can be an issue. I solved this by booking in advance and getting a parking space with my room.. (FYI I stayed in Riomaggiore at La Baia di Rio.) I just looked at the dates you will be in CT and 8/21 is a weekday - parking will be easier than if it were a weekend that is certain. Based on your post I could not tell if you had planned to drive from town to town and therefore that is why you are concerned about the weekend parking. Once you are in CT though I suggest leaving the car parked using the boat, local trains and trails to get from town to town
Posted by
boulder, colorado
192 posts
I would rent a car only for the Tuscany portion of your trip. I travel to Italy often and you will not need one, or want one in Rome or the CT. Take a train to a smaller Tuscan town and rent from there for your tour of Tuscany - and if you are going to Florence for a day trip, park at a nearby town and take the train into Florence. I have rented autos in Arezzo several times and that has worked out well. There is always parking outside of the city walls in the Tuscan hilltowns.
Posted by
OLD WESTBURY, NY, usa
77 posts
Rent the car at the train station on your way out of Rome. Its one straight ride out of the city onto the highway. Tour Tuscany, great with a car, soooo easy. Drive to La Spezia and drop off the car, go to train staion hop on for a short ride. The Ride to La Spezia is really cool. Dont forget about the siesta. The rental car office close for the afternoon 12:30-4, check on the times.
Posted by
Sheboygan, Wisc., USA
934 posts
Consider training to Orvieto.Stay the night and rent a car accoss from the train station.Drive thru Tuscany staying in several towns or a few.The dives around Pienza,Montalcino(we stayed there and its very nice)Montepulciano,Cortona. Assisi in Umbria is also very nice and nearby. Then get rid of the car before going to the CT.