Question about driving to Cinque Terre

I don't see a train line to/from Canazei. From Bolzano to Monterosso, some trains take 7-8 hours with 2-3 connections. Driving would take 6 hours or more plus time to drop the car in La Spezia and catch a train to Monterosso, if you're not parking the car there.

How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it. Try www.viamichelin.com for driving estimates that might be more conservative than GoogleMaps.

If you get your car from a small location will you be able to get what you want? Do you need an automatic or are you able to drive a normal car?

By stops on the train I take it that you mean changes or connections, and not the number of times the trains stop at intermediate stations (lots)?

The problem you are trying to beat is that both the beginning and the end of your journey are in remote places, neither well linked by roads or trains - the consequence I'm afraid is a somewhat convoluted trip by either train or car.

Thanks! I am wondering if we just stop somewhere in the middle for the night and to look around and break up the trip. Any good suggestions on where would be a nice stop somewhere between Canazei and Monterosso!??

Rent in Venice, as planned, then drive to the Dolomites mountains.

There are no railways in the Dolomites. Trains don't travel well up to the mountains. Bolzano is the closest station, but their rental locations aren't convenient, they are all at the airport and I"m not even sure about that, since currently all commercial flights have ceased at the Bolzano airport. Canazei would have no rental offices either.

From there to the Cinque Terre, I would drive and, if you don't want the car while at the Cinque Terre (not needed there), then return the car in nearby La Spezia. It's a long drive (5 hours + pitstops), but once you drive the first 40 miles through the mountains, and you get on the freeway at Ora, it's all multi-lane freeway driving all the way to the end.

If you are from the US, I bet you are familiar with freeway driving. Just stay in the right lanes. No cruising in the left lane in Europe (left lane is only for passing).

As Laura mentioned, I'm not sure you'll be able to rent a car in Canazei so either Venice or Bolzano will be the best choice. If you haven't driven in Italy before, note that each driver listed on the rental form must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which may be provided by the issuing office). You'll also have to be vigilant to avoid the dreaded ZTL (limited traffic) areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities. EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket, which you won't know about until several months after you return home!

If I'm reading your post correctly, the easiest solution would be to rent the car in either Venice or Bolzano, and return it in Verona. If you can return the car first thing in the morning and get to Verona P.N. station by 10:02, there's a departure to Monterosso with one change at Milano Centrale, arriving at 15:05 (time 5H:03M). That's about the easiest trip possible, as the first segment is via high speed Freccia to Milan and the next is EuroCity direct to Monterosso with no changes. That's absolutely the one I'd use in the same circumstances.

Thank you all so much for your very informative answers, they are such a huge help!!!!!