We need some input on which would be better to travel between places and if this schedule is feasible.
This is what we have planned so far.
We are flying in to Rome to spend three nights.
From Rome we plan to take a train to Florence. We would like to spend two nights in Florence and from there head to Tuscany. We have two nights booked in a small villa in the Chianti country side.
From Chianti, Tuscany we would like to go to the Amalfi Coast for three nights. Then we head back to Rome to stay in a hotel near the airport to fly back home the next morning.
Is it better, easier to travel by train between each city or drive? I have read that we definitely will need a car in rural Tuscany, where would be a good place to rent a car, in Florence then drive to the Chianto region? What is the best way to travel to the Amalfi Coast? By car from Tuscany or by train? And should we purchase train tickets before we go to Italy? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thank you so much!
Posted by
5250 posts
Of course you have to weigh this advice with your personal situation (will you ever get back to Italy, etc.), but hear me out.
Why drive all the way south when you could explore the coast of southern Tuscany, which has some scenery just as dramatic as the Amalfi Coast? You lose SO much time in transit--time that could be spent sitting in the sun, enjoying a glass of wine, visiting an Etruscan ruin, etc. etc. You could then position yourself close enough to Rome airport for your departure.
You could also take train to Florence upon arrival, then get car (airport pickups are usually the best, but there are alternatives) and go to Chianti, then go to coast, then drop car and train into Rome for last few nights--potentially giving you an extra night somewhere instead of at an airport hotel the last night. I'd add that extra night to the Chianti place, since you only have one full day there otherwise.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23652 posts
I think you need to spend some time with a map. You are covering a lot of territory. The Amalfi coast is well south of Rome and Tuscany is equally far north. Personally with your time frame choose one or the other. Florence is in Tuscany so not sure where you are head to Tuscany from Florence. If you stick with your proposed schedule you should use the train but lose a full day getting between Tuscany and the Amalfi coast. A car is a big problem on the coast.
Posted by
New York, NY
1586 posts
When you fly into Rome depends on the time you land, take a train immediately from FCO to Florence or if it's not feasible, then travel next day to Florence. Save those extra days in Rome toward the end of your trip after visiting the Amalfi Coast, then on your return to Rome, you can give yourself those extra days to enjoy the city so you don't have to rush back and get on a flight the next day after traveling from Amalfi Coast.
You can rent a car here in Florence:
https://www.europcar.com/location/italy/florence/florence-via-borgognissanti
https://www.autoeurope.com/car-rental-santa-maria-novella-rail-station/
The best way to go to Amalfi Coast is to drive from Tuscany back to Florence airport to drop off the car, the shuttle bus between the airport and Santa Maria Novella railway station takes 20 minutes, then take a high speed train direct to Salerno in (3h 15m). From Salerno, you can take a ferry to Amalfi or Positano (35m). It's the fastest way.
Buy train tickets in advance at Trenitalia website.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2213 posts
valadelphia is spot on. Go to Google Maps. Getting from the Chianti region to anywhere in the Amalfi Coast will chew up an entire day.
I also agree about heading straight to Florence and bunch up your time in Rome at the end. Two nights (one day) isn't near enough time in Florence or in the country side. Spend a minimum of two days in each.
What time of year will you be going?
Posted by
11660 posts
Rent a car as you leave Florence. Drive from Tuscany to Naples airport, drop off car. Take the dedicated bus to Sorrento. Then either a driver or taxi to Amalfi coast . Or driver service Naples airport to Amalfi Coast. The drive from Tuscany to Naples airport is not difficult at all, all autostrada like an interstate. Airport is a little north of downtown.