We ( we are in our early 70's) are headed to Italy in October for a wedding in Siena. Flying into Milan we will have 8 nights before the wedding. We'd like to see Lake Garda, Dolomites and Bologna before heading to Siena for the wedding. Do we need a car or is it doable with public transportation? We have driven in Italy before and those tiny streets and city center closures are no fun. Any help is greatly appreciated.
thanks
Posted by
11502 posts
We did exactly what you propose but did have a car. We drove up one side of Lake Garda, stayed in Saló one night stayed in gorgeous Ortisei four nights, then back down the east side of Lake Garda staying in Malcesine.
Then we drove to Bologna, acgreat city, before meeting our family in Tuscany. This was a wonderful trip!!
However, we never have minded driving in Italy and always have rented cars there. In Bologna we left the car in a garage the whole time.
Posted by
Maryland
897 posts
You definitely don't need a car for any of these destinations. Even in the Dolomites there are buses that go EVERYWHERE. For example once you get to your hotel in a South Tirol village they will give you a "Mobipass" for local buses that lasts as long as your stay. Three major localities may be might optimistic for 8 nights though since you need 4 half days for traveling (by car or public transport), which really only gives one full day in each locality. You will also be traveling with "Wedding Clothes" which may be bulkier than most tourist togs and might suggest a car.
https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en
Congratulations to the happy couple.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32325 posts
diane,
You can easily reach all of the destinations you listed by using carefully planned public transit. A few questions.....
- Which town are you planning to stay in on Lake Garda?
- Where in the Dolomites are you planning to stay?
A bit more information would help to provide more specific suggestions. I've visited all those areas via train or bus, and never felt that I needed a car.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15868 posts
A car would be useful, albeit not absolutely necessary, to visit the Dolomites, and maybe parts of Lake Garda area. I would not want a car in Bologna, due to the traffic restrictions in the city center, and it is also not necessary in the city of Siena for the same reason. If while in the Siena area you’d like to visit some rural towns in Tuscany, then a car would be useful.