I plan to drive from Florence to Rome (in the end of August). In between, I want to stop by Siena and Orvieto (stay one night in Orvieto). I read the previous forums postings and many members suggested that the train might be a better option.
Please advise me if the train is better for my case as well. (Florence to Siena, Siena to Orvieto, Orvieto to Rome).
I will have a big luggage bag.
Thank you!
What is a big luggage bag? True the places you listed are accessible by train
But if you don't think you can manage the big luggage bag getting on or off the train then maybe you should drive
If you stay on the hill in Orvieto arriving by train you might need a taxi with a big luggage bag.
It depends on the person
Thank you, Jazz+Travels, for your reply! I think I may be able to handle my luggage but the bigger reason for wanting to drive is that it could give me more freedom to tour the cities. And you are right, I will need a taxi from the train station to my lodging in orvieto, if I take a train. My concern about driving is that I am not sure about how I can avoid ZTL and deal with automated cameras. I also read that finding a gas station is not easy. So I am still debating....
Cars are good for touring the countryside, not necessarily the cities... since, as you note, there are many hard to avoid no driving zones in the cities for a novice. Only you can decide the baggage, but you might consider a "set" of two pieces of luggage that are designed to stack securely on one another, (think business travel sets or aircrew bags) each of which is easier to handle individually.
I also read that finding a gas station is not easy.
Where did you read this? Was it written this century?
Some will classify a 25 inch bag as 'big'; for others 'big' starts at 29 inches. What is your definition of 'big'?
green,
Unless you plan on visiting locations along the way that are not well served by trains or other public transit, taking the train would be a better option.
I assume you're aware that you'll need an International Driver's Permit for driving in Italy? IDP's are used in conjunction with your home D.L. so you'll have to take that too. You'll also have to be extremely careful to avoid the ZTL (limited traffic) zones which exist in all the places you'll be driving. Each pass through one of these areas will result in hefty fines, which you likely won't know about until several months after you return home. Florence is just about saturated with automated ZTL cameras so don't drive within the city.
A few points to note......
The rail station in Siena is at the bottom of the hill, so with "big luggage" you'll need to use a Taxi back & forth to the station. You could also travel by Bus from Florence to Siena, as the bus drops passengers right in the main part of town. The rail station in Orvieto is also below the city but there's a Funicular so it's easy to get up to the city.
The funicular in Orvieto does not go all the way up. Better to take the bus up, ride the funicular back down.
Read this about driving in Italy and restrictions involved [ZTLs]; avoid leaving anything of value in a car when parked:
Have you looked at a map? Siena and Orvieto are in different directions. Siena has long uphill walks from the parking lots, and Orvieto has good escalators from their huge garage. But it’s still a long level walk in town. Both will be packed in August. Will your bag be visible in the Siena parking? This is a long, hot day!
I would not count on empty luggage lockers in August, but I don’t know which rail stations have them.
Just drive. For Siena follow directions to the STADIO (stadium) and park near the stadium.
For Orvieto you need to inquire with the hotel you plan to stay. If you drive, choose one that is car friendly (accessible by car with parking).
I wouldn’t choose trains in your case for the following reasons:
1-trains and large luggage don’t travel well together. From Florence to Siena the bus is more appropriate in any case.
2-if you visit Siena for a day what are you going to do with the luggage? Lug it around all day? I don’t think there is a place to store your luggage while you roam the town.
3-the train from Siena to Orvieto is slow, requires a change in Chiusi (with related luggage transfer hassles)
It sounds like you are traveling by yourself.
No one has asked for clarification on that.
I would default to "take the train" so you can enjoy the views.
If you only have yourself, navigation will be harder, you won't have multiple people to amortize the cost of the car, gas, parking, and tolls over.
Thank you all for your helpful replies! :)
We just got back from two weeks in Italy, including 7 days driving high Tucany. Was my first time driving in Europe. We returned the car in Orvieto before taking train to Rome the next day. Plenty of gas stations along the way. While driving was ok, we would have preferred train or bus if driving was more convenient for the places we wanted to see. Pretty sure we'd take bus and/or train for Siena and Orvieto. Much rather leave driving to someone else and just relax during ride.
Thank you David! This is really helpful!
I am not sure how many days you have in Florence, but Siena is an easy day trip by bus from Florence. If this is possible I would do Siena as a day trip from Florence then take the train to Orvieto. Once you arrive in Orvieto take the Funicular up and there are shuttle buses that run every 15 minutes or so that will take you to the center of town. Orvieto is easily walkable and you do not need a car in the town. We loved Orvieto! Orvieto to Rome is another easy train ride and you can enjoy the views on the way.
I would do this: Visit Siena from Florence by bus as a day trip and then take take an early morning train to Orvieto the following day. Or ask your hotel in Florence to store your luggage for a day after your departure. Visit Siena by train. Stop in Florence on the way to Orvieto in the late afternoon to collect your luggage before taking the train on to Orvieta. Either way take the train to Rome from Orvieto. Taxi only if your luggage is too heavy to carry or wheel.
