My girlfriend and I are planning a 9 day trip to Italy (arriving on May 4th in Rome and leaving Rome on May 13th). She has been to Italy once before so this is more or less a present to me. I'm interested to see the Colosseum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel while in Rome. Then we want to take a day trip to see Pompeii and Pisa. Finally we want to spend at least two days in Venice before heading back to Rome (May 12th) and flying back home (arriving home on the 13th). Questions: 1.) is it worth renting a car to drive from Rome to Pompeii and Pisa or is there feasible public transportation options available that have reasonable arrival/departure schedule? Or is trying to squeeze in these two sites is fruitless and not enough daylight time? Our experience, in Europe, with renting a car vice public transportation was in France late last year, driving from Paris to Normandy (Bayeux). We left Paris, drove north to Mt. Saint Michel (visited for a couple of hours), then drove onward to Bayeux to see the Omaha Beach. Trying to coordinate public transportation from Paris to Caen (one of the major cities in Normandy) then onto Bayeux and Mt. Saint Michel was a logistical nightmare and we would had lost a lot of time just trying to abide by the train/bus schedules. This time around, we were thinking of renting a car again to visit anyplace within a couple hours drive from Rome vice rely on public transportation. If there is a timely public transportation option from Rome to Pompeii and Pisa and back, I would be interested to know more. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23290 posts
I think it would be difficult to do both Pompeii and Pisa in one day every with a car. Pompeii can easily consume a day and the train drops you right at the front door to Pompeii. You can check train schedules at trenitalia.com. With a nine day trip you really should use open jaw tickets - into Rome and home from Venice. You are wasting a lot of time traveling.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Pisa is about 2.5 hours north of Rome and Pompeii is a good 2 hours south of Rome. Visiting both in one day really isn't practical, even with a car. Better bet may be to day trip to Pompeii and side trip to Pisa on your way to Venice. For Pompeii, you can take the fast train to Naples and switch to the local Circumvesuviana train, which has a stop called Pompeii Scavi just outside the main entrance. For Pisa, there are a few fast trains that don't require a change in Florence. A change in Florence will be required going from Pisa to Venice.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
From Rome to Pompei, you are looking at a 2.5hr drive. 6.0hrs from Pompei to Pisa and another 4.0hrs from Pisa back to Rome. That's 12.5hrs just for car travel. Add in time to eat, add fuel, rent the car and turn in the car and you're up to about 14.0 hours. At which point during this journey did you expect to see Pompei and Pisa? If you were to attempt it, I would suggest departing Rome in your rental car at 03:00am and arrive in Pisa at 7:00am or so. The leaning tower is beautiful in the sunrise and the street vendors aren't out yet. The crowds haven't shown up yet either. See the tower, have breakfast and head for Pompei. Arrive Pompei about 3:00pm. Visit Pompei for a couple of hours and return to Rome by 8:00pm. I hope the rental car agency is still open. Watch out for busy places on the highways.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Mike, Touring both Pompeii and Pisa in the same day, whether travelling by car or train is simply not practical. The two places are in opposite directions from Rome. Have you purchased your air tickets yet? If not, you might consider using open-jaw tickets - inbound Rome and outbound Venice. That would be the most efficient solution. As someone else suggested, it would be better to visit Pisa either on the way to Venice, or on the way back to Rome (if you use return air tickets). I'm not sure it's worth the effort, but it's your call. Especially in Italy, there are a few potentially expensive "caveats" with car rental, so you may want to consider that. To begin with each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some cases are provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information. There's also the issue of the dreaded ZTL zones, which are becoming increasingly common in some towns. EACH pass through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ violation ticket, which you'll receive in the mail several months after you get home. The rental agency may also charge an additional $50 "administrative charge" for providing your details to the traffic authorities. Happy travels!