Milan ---> Bolzano

Posted by pinto.p.chris on 09/03/19 04:04 PM

Hello!

We are going to Italy in about 3 weeks. We arrive in Milan and plan to spend the day relaxing and exploring. The next day we are going to Lake Como and will spend a night in Varenna. From there we plan to drive to Bolzano. Doesn't look like there are many car rental agencies in Varenna, so we were going to take the train to Milan and get a car there.

How is it driving from Milano Centrale to Bolzano? I heard driving from big cities gets quite hectic. But I figured it shouldn't be for too long once we get on a highway?

How is the whole rental process? Any advice? Should we secure a rental online prior to going? Or rent when we get there?

Any information would be helpful!!

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

09/03/19 04:30 PM

21274 posts

Definitely reserve something in advance. Are you returning it to Milan, or dropping it elsewhere? That should be included in your quote request. Have an International Drivers Permit along with your drivers license. When you pick up the car, take careful note of any dings or scratches and take photos.

The A-51 is about 3 km east of Milano Centrale station. Typical city driving for that distance, but it is clear sailing once you are on the Autostrada.

You could also take a train to Bolzano and rent a car when you get there.

Posted by RJean

New York, NY

09/03/19 05:05 PM

1586 posts

Chris - Autoeurope is a good car rental agency. Either rent the car in Milan or train to Bolzano from Lake como and rent car there to continue your journey.

https://www.autoeurope.com/

Posted by Mary

Reno, NV, USA

09/03/19 05:09 PM

2563 posts

We took the train from Milan to Bolzano and then picked up a rental car there. In Bolzano, the auto rentals are at the tiny airport. You will have to get a taxi from the train station to get to it. Definitely reserve ahead.

Posted by pinto.p.chris OP

09/03/19 05:59 PM

2 posts

We were thinking to drive to Venice and drop off the car in Venice. Is driving in Italy as crazy as they say? Worried about the tolls. Or if we have GPS through our phones, we should be okay?

Posted by RJean

New York, NY

09/03/19 07:06 PM

1586 posts

Driving in Italy is not bad as long as you know the rules of the road there but don't drive into the big cities to drop off a car. It's better to train to the big cities.

http://www.italia.it/en/useful-info/rules-to-drive-in-italy.html

https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/transportation-driving/

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

09/03/19 07:49 PM

21274 posts

Yes, you will have tolls on the Autostrada. You can get an idea buy plugging in your trips at www.viamichelin.com. It will show tolls and fuel estimates, as well as detailed directions and driving times.

Driving is more civilized than people imagine, since there are now speed trap cameras and "tutor" timing systems to see if you exceeded the speed limit between tolls booths. Don't stop and drive in central areas of cities where they have ZTL's, where cameras will pick up your license plates and send tickets to your home months after you have returned. In fact, any of these automatic violations will result in a charge to your credit card from the rental agency, and that is just the service fee for notifying the authorities your home address to send the actual tickets. One charge for each violation. So park in a garage outside the center if you want to say, stop and see Verona. Speed trap cameras are notorious on the causeway bridge to Venice if you choose to return the car there. Only a couple KPH over the posted limit will generate a ticket.