Trying to figure out the best scenario. Pick up a rental car after our stay in Venice or take the train Venice to Florence and pick up car in Florence. How much of a hassle with family of 4 will it be getting to/from rail stations, vs rental agencies in each of these cities? Costs etc. Any input from anyone? Thanks.
Posted by
White Bear Lake, MN, USA
479 posts
Margaret, buying the train ticket will only make you spend more money than you have to. The cost of the rental car will be minimal if anything at all. You'll just have to pay for tolls and gas, which is less than 4 train tickets. Pick up the car in Venice and drive to Florence. I've done that trip and it's wonderful. You can stop off at Ravenna on your way to see the basilicas.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
It's much easier to rent a car in Venice than in Florence because you drive straight out from the central parking area to the bridge back to the mainland. No fighting city traffic.
Posted by
OP
Maple Valley, Wa, USA
108 posts
Kent, yes that is exactly why I posted this question because I wasn't sure how it all came into play when picking up a rental car. I think given the feedback we will end up renting in Venice and driving over. We're actually planning on staying around the Siena area (hopefully an apartment or agriturismo if we can find one for less than a week stay) and will then just take the train into Florence for a day trip. And yes I know we could use more than a day in Florence but with two tweens and many other places to see a day is about it! Thank you all for your feedback.
Posted by
OP
Maple Valley, Wa, USA
108 posts
oh yes, hubby is a big list maker. He'll have us on the stopwatch!!
Posted by
OP
Maple Valley, Wa, USA
108 posts
Kent, Thanks. I'm sure we'll have a great time. I'm so grateful for everyone who shares their tales & advice on this website. As it happens my daughter is currently studying this era in school so maybe she'll be able to teach me a thing or two!
Posted by
Powell Butte, Oregon, USA
11 posts
We have found a strategy for staying in the area of Florence that seesm to work rather well. We stay in agriturismos near the city and then bus into town for day trips, or return our car to the airport and hop the bus into the city and stay a few days at a hotel. That way you do not have to drive in the city, but don't give up the advantages of a car for the outlying areas.
Posted by
Bel Air, MD, USA
261 posts
I have the same question as Margaret. Where do you pick up a car in Venice without having to go all the way out the airport? How about return in Florence? It seems like being able to go from city center to city center would make taking the train a big advantage over car rental, even if the cost is higher.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
To the last Margaret - in Venice, the rental car agencies are in the main parking garage quite close to the train station. It's very easy to drive out of Venice and onto the Autostrada. No need to go out to the airport.
Posted by
OP
Maple Valley, Wa, USA
108 posts
Thanks to everyone for their respnses. As it happens we have changed our plans and are renting our car in Germany and driving our entire trip. Of course we will be investing in a GPS and we will definitely not be driving into the city centre. Staying at agriturismo outside of Florence and will likely take the train in for the day. Many thanks again to everyone on this site for the input.