To avoid a lengthy bus ride my travel partner and I decided it'd be more fun to rent a car in Milan and drive to Badia in the Dolomites. We'll be in the area for 10 days. First, what's driving in the Italian mountains like? I'm a competent, confident driver but it'd be a first time for me. Secondly, are there any "tricks" to car rentals in Italy I should be aware of.
thanks all.
Posted by
New England
12041 posts
Just make sure you return the car in Italy. We didn’t have any problems driving in the Dolomites. It is beautiful and having a rental car will give you the chance to explore more of the Dolomites.
Posted by
NW England
868 posts
"what's driving in the Italian mountains like? " have you ever seen the opening of the original (ie good) Italian Job movie with Michael Caine? It's just like that but with more traffic coming the other way and fewer mafia ambushes! www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgJuVOrXv68
But almost all of the journey from Milan will be by autostrada (don't forget the cost of the tolls) which is easier as long as you follow european lane discipline rules. My biggest worry would be getting out of Milan in one piece.
It's not a trick but beware that traffic tickets will follow your credit card later and make sure you know what a ZTL looks like. www.autoeurope.co.uk/travel-blog/driving-in-italy-what-are-ztls-and-how-to-avoid-them/ you're unlikely to find any in the Badia but in Milan it's possible.
For the mountains you'll need a car with a higher than average power/weight ratio or the buses will try to overtake. It doesn't have to be Ferrari power, just not the base model of anything. Also many rentals are diesel powered, make sure you know what you've got and fill it up from the correct pump. Black pumps for diesel, green for unleaded (and unless you did get something like a Ferrari the E10 version of unleaded will do).
And remember, competent driver in europe means you can handle a 5 or 6 speed stick shift. If you do feel confident in the Badia try setting a route to Timmelsjoch - but don't go past the summit restaurant without insurance for Austria.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1917 posts
The easiest and quickest route (via Bolzano, Bressanone and almost getting to Brunico) is almost flat and hardly mountain; probably the most worrying place is the long highway section between Bolzano and Chiusa, where the valley is so narrow that they had to build the highway as an almost uninterrupted bridge, you better not look down. Doing the Dolomites passes (for example, the Gardena pass between Badia and Ortisei) is real mountain driving, with hairpin curves and the road is not too wide. Probably you will have to tackle mountains if you drive around, not to get there.
When are you going? If you are going in late July or August, remember that the Brenner highway, north of Verona, may get completely clogged on weekend. Talking about queues 20 km long, but 40 km is not unheard. Time your trip during the week.
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1761 posts
Great to hear that you are a competent driver.
Mountain roads in the region are often windy and narrow. Be prepared for that.
Also, budget more time than suggested by Google Maps because of traffic jams during high and shoulder seasons. For dinner in town, look up parking locations ahead of time as many restaurants don't offer private parking. Sometimes, private or shared lots are offered but the number of space is limited.