Best way to travel between cities

Our personal preference is almost always the train especially with places like Venice, Rome, Sorrento, etc.

Maria, Travel by train is usually the best and quickest method. Use the Trenitalia website to work out details and prices. A car might be useful for a day or so in Siena, if you're planning to visit nearby hilltowns. Regarding car rental... It's important to note is that for driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some cases are provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information on driving in Italy. You may also want to search other Posts here regarding the Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many towns in Italy (especially Florence!). EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW. If you accept the CDW offered by the rental firm, it will be expensive but will provide "peace of mind". Some "premium" credit cards provide rental vehicle insurance, however I've found this to be somewhat complicated so I just accept that offered by the rental firm. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. Happy travels!

You won't need a car in either Siena or Sorrento. Both are very walkable and without being a resident you won't be able to drive in the city anyway. Taking the train is very easy and fast. If your travel dates are set you can save a lot of money when buying train tickets by buying the mini fares. These can save you up to 60%. Donna

Looks like train travel wins, which I agree with. But don't be detered from renting a car for a day to tour the countryside or hire a driver.

I agree that train travel is best to travel from place to place. You do not need a car in Sorrento. Either take the bus along the Amalfi coast or hire a car. You can see all of Siena in one day. Renting a car for a day trip to the hill towns would be highly recommended. Most roads southeast of Siena will provide wonderful country side views. The Laurantan rd, #438 on roadmaps, to Asciano will give you quintisential Tuscany views. If you like wine, Montalcino and/or Montepulciano are well worth a visit.

I think Bob has a great idea to travel in Tuscany for a day or two by car. Even though I have a car most of the time and have driven all the places you are going, driving the Amalfi Coast was not a delight for me and if I go back to Sorrento I will take the train. Parking was horrible. Visit Siena, then get your car and explore for a few days. Driving is very easy in the countryside of Tuscany.

If you rent a car, do remember that you will be expected to understand and abide by all traffic laws, including the zero-tolerance cameras that capture every single car (tourist and non-tourist alike) that violates the ZTL area found in most larger cities. Happy travels.

I'm going to be in the Tuscan hill country the week before Easter. We're going to rent a car to do day trips to Sienna, Volterra, San Gimgnano and Chianti. We'll be staying in an agriturisimo between Certraldo and San Gim. We are driving the 100 or so miles down to Orvieto, where we're leaving our rental car. Then, it's a 1 hr. train trip into Rome Gasoline is about $8.55 per gallon. That's why you go by train from bigger city to bigger city.