There are 4 of us traveling from Venice to Florence. Based on costs alone, I can rent a car for 1 day for about $110, train for 4 will cost about $150 (93euros). We're trying to pinch some pennies, but renting a car sounds like a big hassle for a 3 hour drive. Any thoughts?
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Margaret,
Gas is running almost $6 a gallon over here, so when you add that in, any autostrada charges (tolls), and perhaps "additional insurance," it appears the train may be less expensive.
Unless you just want the driving experience (and the autostrada can be AN EXPERIENCE!), for a trip of that length and at the costs you quote, I'd take the train!
We do not own a car but do use a motorino (better known as "Russian Roulette on Wheels") so we do use the trains often and they're quite comfortable and easy. Good Luck on your trip.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Do take the train to Florence. Do not drive in Florence unless you know how to recognize and avoid the "Zona a traffico limitato" signs indicating a restricted area. They are in various places in Florence. They get your license plate with computerized cameras.
Here's a post from Kent in Oregon. "I just learned that Michelin reports the signs are, generally, large rectangular signs saying: "Zona a traffico limitato riservata ai veicoli autorizzati." No English translation appears on the sign but if it did it would say: "Americano, big fine if you drive past this sign."
There have been numerous posts on this site about very expensive tickets arriving in the mail up to a year later than your trip. You have been warned.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
805 posts
Take the train, buy yourself a nice lunch to carry on during your trip. It's a very comfortable and scenic journey as well. I agree that by the time you pay for gas, it'll be a wash on costs at best, let alone the aggrevation of driving in Italy.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
Let me be another voice for the train. Costs will probably be about the same after totaling everything. BUT the traffic around Mestre getting into and out of Venice can be horrendous. You could luck out and breeze through but you could take an hour or so to go the first 10 miles.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Definitely train. No worries, comfortable and it will be faster, too.
Posted by
In the Mountains, USA
689 posts
We alway drive - but if we were going from Venice to Florence - we'd be on a train. No need for a car in either place - and while the country side is gorgeous and worth exploring, not if you aren't going to keep the car to go further. Just to drive from Venice to Florence is silly.
Posted by
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
705 posts
Train. So much less hassle and as others have said the price of petrol over there is unbelievable. I think you will find getting and dropping off the car somewhat stressful.
Posted by
OP
Bel Air, MD, USA
261 posts
OK. I'm sold on taking the train.