Rome to Siena

Anna, there is a Hertz office within a block of the train station. We're renting a car from them at this location in September. I'm not sure if they have a location where the bus leaves you off. The bus leaves you off at the city wall. The train station is almost a mile away down the hill. Next, there are two ways to get to Siena from Rome on the train. One way is by high-speed to Florence and a Regionale train to Siena. The second way is by Regionale train from Rome to Chiusi where you change trains for Siena. Interestingly, the travel time of just over 3.0hrs is the same for either journey. However, there are two important differences between the two runs. 1) The fares are different as it costs more to ride the high-speed than the Regionale trains. Ordinary fare for the run with the high-speed is 51.50Euro. Non-refundable discounted fares as low as 27.50Euro are available 119 days out on www.trentialia.com. The ordinary fare on the two Regionale trains is 16.50Euro. 2) You can buy the tickets online for the run with the high-speed. You cannot buy any tickets for an all-Regionale train run farther out than 7 days from the time of travel. Never a discount either. For most Regionale train runs, you can buy tickets 1-2 days in advance and you're fine.

The buses from Rome Tibutina to Siena may arrive at the train station (where most long distance buses arrive), and there are only a couple of buses per day. If you're staying in Rome prior to departure for Siena, it's much easier to adapt your travel to the bus schedule and it can be a good option as it's direct. Trains offer more flexibility as there are many more per day, and I find they fit better with morning flight arrivals in Rome. By train, you'll change in either Chiusi or Florence. From Chiusi, travel is by local train or bus (catch it just outside the main entrance to the left). From Florence, you can continue by train (requires change in Empoli) or direct bus to Siena's Piazza Gramschi (must walk a short distance to the bus station). If arriving at the Siena train station and needing to go to the center, any city bus going to Piazza Gramschi or Via Tozzi will get you there. You didn't mention the location of the rental car agency, but it's probably outside the center. You may be able to save on Rome-Chiusi (IC) or Rome-Florence (high-speed) train tickets by buying online in advance. My recollection is that advance bus tickets may also be discounted. Only downside is that they lock you into a specific time. Last September, I opted to buy train tickets via Chiusi upon arrival in Rome as that option was still inexpensive even at full fare and provided flexibility if my flight arrived late. I had no problem getting same-day tickets.

Thank you for your suggestions. It appears that I had the car rental name wrong as we are renting from Avis and not Hertz. Avis is located outside of the city wall at address of Via Simone Martini. Can you advise if this is close to where the bus drops you off? Are there taxi's close by if needed? Based on your suggestions, It appears that the bus is the more direct route. Thanks.

Anna, Travel by Bus is certainly one option, but there are fewer departures each day than with trains. From Rome to Siena, going by train would be the easier solution (likely a change in either Florence or Chiusi). I believe the Avis location on Via Simone Martini 36 is reasonably close to the station, but I'd suggest taking a Taxi (there's usually one waiting when trains arrive, but you may have to ask). As this is your first visit to Europe, hopefully you're aware of the usual "caveats" regarding both train travel and driving in Italy? To summarize.... > If using Regionale trains, tickets MUST be validated (time & date stamped) prior to boarding trains, or you could face a hefty fine. If using Freccia or other trains with compulsory reservations, you MUST have a valid reservation for the train you're riding on or again, hefty fines. Fines start at €50 per person! > It's not necessary to buy tickets in advance, although considerable savings are possible if buying tickets for premium trains. However those will "lock you into" a specific train and departure time. If you miss that train, the tickets are worthless and you'll have to buy more at full price. You can also just buy tickets from the Kiosks a day or two before you'll be travelling. > For driving in Italy, EACH driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. Failure to produce an I.D.P. if requested can result in fines on the spot! You must also be extremely careful to avoid the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas as expensive tickets will result, which you'll receive in the mail several months after you get home. Happy travels!