In Mid June my husband and I are traveling from the US to Milan, arriving about 9:00. We are heading to cinque terra for a 2 night stay and then going to Chianti for a week. Our hotel is in Monterosso and there is on site free parking. We would like to have a car for our stay in Tuscany. Is it advisable for us to drive from Milan to Monterosso so that we can easily continue on or would we be better off taking the train ? Leaving the Milan airport, would we have to drive thru the city or would we just get onto a highway? If we took the train to Monterosso, where would be the best place to pick up a rental car? We were not planning to go to Florence as we have already spent a good deal of time there. Thank you ..
Posted by
Kingsburg, California, USA
137 posts
Take the train! Why pay for two or so days of car rental when you won't be driving the car. There is a Hertz car rental in La Spezia (never used it) and may be others. You could take the local train to L.S. and get your car there then drive on to Pisa and points beyond. Good luck!
Posted by
48 posts
Ditto - don't take a car to CT unless there is no other way to get there. The train to La Spezia is easy from any of the villages and rental cars are plentiful
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
154 posts
I highly recommend taking the train to Cinque Terre also. Cars are a headache getting to this area. Connecting Milan's airport to the main station is easy using either a train or bus. From there you can get trains (sometimes direct) to Monterosso. You can look up train schedules at Bahn.com. From there you can take the train to La Spezia or Pisa to rent a car and I would look to see which station has better options for your trip at Auto Europe.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
You have direct trains from Milano Centrale to Monterosso departing at 12:10, 14:05, 16:05, 18:05.
The journey is approx 3 hours.
Pick up a hire car in La Spezia as you head from CT to Tuscany.