After arriving at the Central Train Station in Milan we are renting a car, which we will pick up outside the station. Now with that done I am a little nervous about the route to take to the coast, as we head for Cinque Terra. Should we have rented a car from Malpesa to avoid Milan's city traffic? What is the best route to take to the coast from the train station? The map of the city looks crazy. Thank you!!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Have you driven in Italian cities before?
Posted by
OP
Burson, ca
16 posts
We have never driven in Italy before. We are seasoned travelers in the US, but never in Europe. If we take to train from Milan to Cinque Terra will we miss out on scenery etc that we will not be able to see from the train?
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
The last thing you need in Cinque Terre is a car. Take the train!!!!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Same advice as the others: a car is a useless headache in the CT. After the CT, if you're going to explore the Tuscany countryside (IMO one of the few areas in Italy where a rental car makes sense), then pick up the car in La Spezia (as mentioned above).
On my first trip to Italy, I thought I'd just do the same thing (rent a car) that I always do in the US, Canada, Germany, and other areas where driving is easy: rent a car. I learned. The lack of overnight parking in the CT will blind-side you, especially in the summer or Friday and Saturday nights.
Posted by
OP
Burson, ca
16 posts
Thank you, Thank you......the train it is. So glad I asked!!! You guys are great! Donna
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32367 posts
Donna,
I'm glad that you've decided on the train, as that would have been my suggestion too.
Although it's a moot point now, I was also going to mention (for future reference) that for driving in Italy, each driver requires the compulsory International Driver's Permit which must be used in conjunction with the home D.L. Failure to produce an I.D.P. if requested can result in fines on the spot. You can obtain an I.D.P. easily at any AAA office.
Researching ZTL areas is also important, as passing through one of the computerized Cameras results in a €100+ fine EACH TIME.
Finally, while not essential, a GPS is a really good idea for driving in Italy along with a good Map for "backup".
I'd suggest researching your rail journeys on either the Trenitalia or bahn.de websites so that you have a good idea on the timing and changes. Having that information will make the trip easier.
Be sure to PACK LIGHT as changes from one platform to another in Italian stations often involve going down stairs to a Sotto Passagio (tunnel) and then up more stairs to the next platform. Those hauling cumbersome and large wheelie bags have a bit of a challenge in that situation.
One final point - as I recall you'll be in Varenna at some point. I wasn't sure if that was before or after the C.T.? If you need rail tickets and the station in Varenna is "closed for lunch" or whatever, there's a Travel Agency just down the hill from the station (just before you get to the small bridge - on the right as you're facing the lake). I've always found them very helpful, and they should be able to provide tickets.
Cheers!