Hello - I need to get transportation from Venice to Florence, then from Florence to Piza area, then on to Rome where I will return the car. Please advise the cheapest and simplest. Thank you!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
TJ, European cities are hundreds or thousands of years old. Hence, they were not designed around cars, and in fact, a car is quite a problem. There are no cities in Europe like Phoenix, or Houston, or Los Angeles, where a car is a near-necessity even for a casual visitor. To get around cities in Europe, you walk; if you are going a farther distance, you take a bus, tram, or subway. In Venice, boats called vaporetti act like buses, with fixed routes and stops. So, you NEVER want a car in European cities themselves. A car is useful for small towns and countryside. But the cost of gas, parking, tolls and tickets (for speeding or going into forbidden zones like Italy's ZTL's) is very high. Get a copy of Rick Steves Italy, immediately. He explains all the details of getting around your cities (like which buses serve which attractions, and how to buy tickets beforehand and then validate them on the bus to avoid fines). To get between your cities, the train is by far the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10728 posts
Are you planning to stop other places besides those mentioned? If the answer is no, the cheapest and simplest way to do this is by taking the train.
Posted by
OP
Albuquerque, NM, USA
7 posts
Thank you! <<Are you planning to stop other places besides those mentioned? If the answer is no, the cheapest and simplest way to do this is by taking the train.>>
No - but I'm unsure if I will be able to walk everywhere in Florence? I wonder if I should just rent a car to get from Venice and keep in Florence then return there? How much do the cars cost?
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, United States
174 posts
You really, really don't want a car in Florence. You can't drive anywhere much in the city because of the ZTLs (traffic is limited to approved vehicles and you get big tickets). Florence is very compact and easy to walk around. The only hills are up to Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte, and you can easily take a bus to there. We spent a week there for my husband's 80th birthday and walked everywhere with no trouble. If you get too tired there are cabs. Trains are easy: they leave and arrive mid-city in all three locations you are visiting.
Posted by
OP
Albuquerque, NM, USA
7 posts
Good to know! Thank you for all your great help.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10728 posts
As Katherine said, you DO NOT want a car in Florence under ANY circumstances. You will not be allowed to drive in most areas that you would want to be in. Doing so will result in tickets that you may not be aware of for a year, but will cost you a lot of money. And not just one ticket, multiple tickets. I found Florence to be very walkable. If someone gets tired, there are many places you could stop to get a refreshment and rest.