I'll be staying in Montecatini in October of this year and will be taking side trips by car to several towns. I'm wondering how difficult it is to park (car) in Florence and Pisa. Also.. would traveling by train make more sense from Montecatini to Venice than driving. Thanks! Jimmy
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16240 posts
I think you are better off taking public transportation to Florence. With no traffic you can be in Florence in 45 min but if you go in the morning and return from Florence in the late afternoon, you will be dealing with commuters driving to/from Florence. The train will get you there downtown in less than one hour, which is less than what it takes by car during rush hour.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
My memories of driving into Florence include four lanes of traffic, but with no lane markings, followed by lots of one-way and restricted streets. Since then, I have known better. There's a hefty fine for driving in the Limited Traffic Zone without a permit. Parking lots on the outskirts of Florence cost 20 euros/day (or free at Piazzale Michelangelo), plus local transport into town.
At Pisa, you can park for free in the Pietrasantina parking lot and take a free shuttle bus into town (see pages 591-3 of Rick Steves' Italy). More fines for driving into the center. Most trains from Montecatini to Pisa require a connection at Lucca.