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Arezzo to Padua car vs train?

I will be using Arezzo as my base for 4 days to tour Tuscany then move on to Venice but staying in Padua. What would the ride be like? Should we just take a train? We won't use a car after arriving in Padua.

Posted by
19637 posts

There is 1 connection approximately every hour to Padua, a couple are direct for as low as 9 Euro. Times vary from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hour depending on the routing and type of train.

Posted by
88 posts

Karen, I stayed in Arezzo Sept. 2012. Easy connection by train from FCO (30 min,), via Termini (2 1/2 hrs). Arezzo has a small train station, easy to navigate. Arezzo is a beautiful town, easy to walk. I took the train to Cortona & back for a day trip (buying my ticket that day). I moved on to Venice (2 hrs), via Florence (1 hr), also using the train. If you buy tickets early, you can save a bunch! I didn't rent a car and don't think you really need one. PM if you want more info. Have a great time!!!
Susanna

Posted by
24 posts

Thank you Suzzanne. We will be traveling from other areas before Arezzo so will have a car when we arrive in Arezzo. We want to travel through the countryside. I just didn't know which was best to return the car in Florence or continue onto Padua with the car.

Posted by
24 posts

Thanks Sam,
So you suggest getting rid of rental car before moving onto Padua and taking car?

Posted by
3696 posts

Are the rates the same if you drop in Florence or Padua? If its just as easy to drop in Padua I would probably just drop the car there instead of dropping in Florence then taking the train.

Posted by
19637 posts

I like to return the car to where I rented to avoid any drop off fees, but this may vary per individual contract. I was assuming you are renting in Arezzo. If so, I would drop it there and take the train. Where are you picking the car up?

Posted by
15041 posts

Since you have a car already, and it's probably two or more people, I would drive from Arezzo to Padova and return the car in PD if you rent from a company that has an office in PD. It's all freeway driving, so it's fast and easy. Returning the car in Florence is a pain because of the traffic restrictions that might either get you lost or fined, also it's a 10 min. walk from the car rental offices (they are all in the same street) to the station. If you have luggage you may want to avoid that. Personally if you choose not to drive to Padua, I think it's easier if you return the car in Arezzo and take the train from Arezzo (train change in Florence). But I would drive. As I said, it's easy freeway driving. After Bologna it's straight and flat too.

Posted by
24 posts

Thanks to everyone. It did make sense to drive but didn't know what the roads would be like, Roberto you answered that for me. Will it be toll roads? I will have to make sure I can return a rental in Padua.

Posted by
15041 posts

Tolls. Freeways aren't free in Italy. They work like parking lots in the US:
Pick up the ticket from the machine at the freeway entrance booth, and give the ticket to the guy at the freeway exit booth when you exit the freeway and pay the amount you owe.