We are flying into Florence and out of Venice. We would like to spend a few days in the Dolomites in between. Can we rent a car in Florence and drop it off in Venice (and is it affordable)? What is the best way to find a reasonably priced rental car?
Thank you!
I have used this company twice in Italy. Despite their apparent focus on Germany and Austria, they can do reservations in all of Europe. Great rates and service.
We love the Dolomites but have only visited there by train and bus, so you don't really have to rent a car. You can take the train to Bolzano, bus to Ortisei, and base there for lots of hiking on both sides of the Val Gardena.
Bolzano and a nearby hiking base are easy by train and bus. The benefit of a car would be if you wanted to do more scenic drives around the Dolomites. Dropping the car at a different city within one country is usually not a problem. Auto Europe is another supplier/consolidator you could check. Although I would usually take a train between these cities, and although driving the AutoStrada comes with tolls, car rental may cost the same whether you keep the car for 1, 2, or 3 days, so make the most of it.
Yes, you can. The Dolomites can be reached by train (to Bolzano) then bus, but driving will give you more flexibility and more options. The drive from Florence to Ortisei in Val Gardena for example (I also love the Val Gardena) is over 4 hours (plus pit stops). The cost of the rental varies, but with full insurance (I suggest full coverage-no deductibles) it shouldn't be more than 45-50 euro per day for a compact car.
A consolidator, such as www.autoeurope.com or www.kemwel.com or www.gemut.com, might get you a better price rather than going directly to a rental car company.
I tried a few options, but wound up renting directly from Budget. We rented one way without an issue -- I think the costs get crazy when you cross borders, so you should be good.
