Car vs train - Italy to France

3 You can get a train to Nice. Right now, you can get a Freccia via train from Florence Campo di Marte station to Genoa, then an IC train to Ventimiglia then a TER train to Nice. If this is for after June 8, not all the schedules are up yet, so you will have to wait until they are out. Leave at 7:54 am and get to Nice at 2:11 pm.

4 You carry and manage your own luggage. No car seats required.

1. Can't help you with that one.
2. and 3. There would be a huge drop charge to rent in Italy and drop in France, you should consider that. Also, driving in Italy frequently results in large tickets that you will receive after you return to the US. Trains are great in Italy, suggest waiting to rent a car when you arrive in France if you want a car. The alternative is to drop the car in Italy. Consider visiting Milan, it is a bit out of the way, but a nice place to visit. Then take the train.
3. We traveled with train a lot 30 years ago when we lived in Germany and never checked our luggage. Also, we have taken trains in Italy and France in the past 10 years and didn't try to check luggage. Not sure if you can do that? Most people carry on their luggage onto the train and either place it in a rack over the seat area where you sit or at a luggage storage area at the end of the rail car (this is not recommended if you have valuables in your luggage, since theft is a factor). I don't remember seeing car seats for infants on the train.

number 1 - which airport? Florence? Is your hotel within walking distance of a tram stop on the line from the airport? No car seats required on the tram. I don't know a car service - I'd take a taxi if I couldn't use the tram. Taxis are exempt from requiring car seats.

number 2 - since you have 2 days for your trip, does that mean one overnight midway? The fastest journey is along the coast autostrada / autoroute, and takes at least 8 hours..... so 4 hours each day to split down the middle, that's maybe somewhere between Vallegia and San Remo - I like San Remo but it is about 30 minutes beyond half way.

number 3 - probably Florence to Genoa (Genova), Genoa to Ventimiglia, change to French trains along the Côte d'Azur (shame you don't have time for a second overnight) and get your car in Nice, Menton, Monaco (but be sure they give you a French car). Others may have other ideas.

number 4 - q1 - no, you carry it, you carry it up the stairs, you take it off. Be sure that you can carry all the luggage and the toddler by yourself (yourselves). q2 - no

Thank you for all the feedback! A few responses/additional questions

1. Re: Getting from airport to hotel with our toddler: Yes, flying into Florence - I’m not sure if there is a tram stop near our hotel - where can I find a tram map/schedule? We’re very near the Ponte Vecchio, in district 1.

   • If no tram stops from airport to hotel - anyone know of drivers who provide car seats?

2. Sounds like the best plan is a train from Florence to Nice and rent a car there. We’ll leave Florence on a Saturday morning and train arrives to Nice in the afternoon- we’ll have about 36 hours (have to be in Provence Monday afternoon so will leave Monday morning).

   • would you recommend staying in Nice or another nearby town? Looking for something relaxed, nice calm beach for toddler to swim and play and for us to relax for a Sunday between our two travel legs.

Thank you so much for your feedback!

make sure your plans for the beach for the kiddo include a sandy beach. They are relatively rare unless you pay top whack as the natural beaches around Nice are sharp gravel and sharp sand. Check before setting out.

1. I recommend a taxi. There are plenty at the FLR airport at the taxi stand (turn right as you exit the terminal and walk about 50+ meters). The cost is approx €25 flat fare (slight variations depending on weekday, holiday, day or night, luggage pieces). Taxi and limos are exempt from mandatory car seats for kids, as long as the kid sits in the back with an adult).
2. Any place you wish on the Ligurian coast. I like Moneglia but there are many others, like Sestri or on the West Riviera, Laigueglia, Sanremo, etc.. the car rental drop off before the border would be in Savona or possibly Sanremo (maybe Avis only). You will need to rent a child seat, as rental cars are not exempt from that unlike taxicabs. I think rental car companies charge approx €30/day on average.
3. Yes. Florence to Nice. However there is no direct train, so you have to change trains along the way. Use www.trenitalia.com to find the possible options. Try to have at least 15 minutes layovers between changes since you have several moving pieces with a kid.
4. No, you carry your luggage onboard yourself and place it on the overhead compartment or on the luggage holds on each side of the cars (for larger pieces). No child seats required on trains.