My husband and I are traveling to Italy in September. Our flight from the US is to Rome, but plan to spend most of our time at airbnb in Lucca. Our plan is to cycle most days around the surrounding area. My question for the experts here :) is should we travel to Lucca via train to Florence and then train or bus to Lucca or should we rent car one way in Rome and rive to Lucca. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I have both Rick Steve's books and am cramming now.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7282 posts
If your Airbnb is in Lucca, I would just take the fast train from Rome to Florence and the slower one that goes to Lucca.
Enjoy biking around the top of the historic city wall, too!
Posted by
New Orleans
1206 posts
Lucca is wonderful, beautiful, and friendly! I spent five days there on my own there over the Christmas holiday several years ago and experienced the people to be welcoming, gracious and kind, the music inspiring, the architecture of the city amazing, and the food delicious. It is quite easy to take a train from the Rome airport into Roma Termini (there are lots of posts on this forum telling you how to do that if you want that advice). I went first to Roma Termini (30-45"), then took a Freccia train (see the trenitalia.com website) to Florence, then a local regionale train to Lucca (about 30" from Florence?). Schedules are on the trenitalia website (use "Fiumicino Aeroporto" as your starting place). I suggest printing out, or writing out some of the possible schedules from FCO to Lucca, starting at about 1.5 hours after you land. Have a great time! Total time travel from FCO to Lucca should be approx. 4-5 hours - much faster, and easier on you having just landed, than dealing with renting a car!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
From Fiumicino airport, take the Leonardo Express into Roma Termini 32 minutes, then the FR (fast) train Roma Termini to Firenze SMN.
From Firenze the regional train to Lucca.
Book these at the airport in case your flight is a late arrival.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Oh my goodness!!! Thank you all for your quick and helpful responses. So thankful for such caring and knowledgeable Rick Steves travelers.
Posted by
4381 posts
How much time do you have? I'd lean toward train to get there, but the area really opens up with a car, so you might consider a day rental while there. I loved Barga in the mountains.
We took our rental bikes out of the town and it was a bit hairy at first (we could have missed something in the directions), but it was worth it once we got to the park north of town and rode along the Serchio river.
Posted by
North Carolina
2448 posts
Have you already booked your flight? If not, you might consider flying into Pisa instead - very short train ride to Lucca. I loved Lucca! Have a wonderful time.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6052 posts
It’s not safe to drive after an overnight flight and that drive from Rome to Lucca is not a short drive
Take the train
Car rental rates are extremely high this year as well.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks again to all who responded. We are going to spend a couple days in Rome before we head north. We appreciate all your comments :)!