Gas Prices

Unleaded gasoline was $8.55 a couple of days ago, based on current EURO/Dollar rates. If you rent a car, see if you can get a diesel. It's somewhat cheaper, and the cars get better mileage. Now, you see why most people travel between cities by train, and save car travel for doing day trips out of a central location.

I believe gas prices are projected to increase between now and summer 2012. This wil not only increase the total cost of renting a car, but will also indirectly affect airfares, which are significantly affected by aviation fuel cost, which in turn is related to oil/gas price. Increase in gas price is not good for future airfares to Europe.

Not that I want to shock anyone but... Gasoline in Italy has hit 1.80 Euros per litre. I can hardly believe it. Last year you could still find it at 1.50. A quick calculation converting euros to dollars and litres to US gallons gives a figure of $9.27 per gallon. Depending on what the exchange rate does and the rate you actually get when changing you dollars you could well be paying $10 per gallon for gasoline in Italy this summer. Happy travels!

I guess that's why so many people travel on Vespas. And to think Americans are complaining about $3.50 gasoline. Our lifestyle is so different with the urban spread of our cities. I would feel better about $9 gasoline in Europe, however so much of their fuel prices are taxes, taxes, taxes.
And needless to say how efficient their governments are at saving taxpayers' money. Not.

Thank you all very much. I think we will fly to further destination and maybe rent for day trips. Pam

Yes, gas prices are brutal in Italy (all of europe, to be truthful). The one upside, is the europeans have embraces tiny, fuel efficient cars, so this helps mitigate the costs. On my 3 week trip to Italy last sping, I rented a car for the Tuscany portion, which was 6 days. We picked up the car in Orvieto, dropped it in Florence, and drove ALL over Tuscany in between, and we only filled the tank in in our tiny Fiat once. It was a standard transmission, which helped, and I returned the car near empty in Florence.
So, don't be too discouraged about the fuel costs, but I use trains as much as possible, except when travelling in the countryside.