Buongiorno! It's a beautiful spring day in Rome. I have never rented a car in Italy but I need to go up to Turin one weekend soon. From Turin, where we'll stay, we'll have to go to at least one town in the region that is not accessible by train and I really do not want to mess around with regional buses. So I thought that a car rental would be the best way to deal with this situation. Plus it might afford us the opportunity to see some other sights in the area more easily. There will be three of us going, and the question is: Rent in Rome and drive the whole way, or train from Rome and then rent in Turin? With a combination of an Italo train to get there and Trenitalia to come back, we would be looking at a 4.5 hour train ride each way and a total of about €125 each, or €375 total expenditure, before renting the car in Turin. If we were to rent in Rome and drive the whole way, according to Google Maps it takes a little over 6 hours. I haven't looked at rental rates yet but I imagine they are less than €375 for a weekend. Not sure what to expect in terms of fuel expense. Also, someone told me recently that there are a lot of tolls to pay in Italy. The final question I have concerns ZTLs. Does anyone know if such zones exist in Turin? If so, maybe we should look for a hotel outside the historic center that also offers parking I presume we can easily get into the city on the public transport. A final final question that just popped into my head: maybe we should fly instead of train? I'll look at airfares in a moment. But in any case, if anyone can weigh in and offer some suggestions regarding this trip, I would appreciate it! Bryan
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
You can drive Roma-Torino-Roma for less than € 375, tolls included. Torino has a ZTL that covers mosdt of the old center. If you pick hotels on the new business districts they will be well clear of the ZTL. If you decide to drive, why don't you take the opportunity to make a quick stop on the way out and in? If you are willing to put one extra hour of driving, you can go via Firenze/La Spezia/Genova/Savona/Torino route to alternate the more direct route (which is mostly flat-out between Bologna and Torino).
Posted by
Portland
3648 posts
If you go to viamichelin.com, you can get the amount for tolls and an estimate of fuel costs. Yes, Turin has ZTLs. A friend recently told me that she had just received four(!) tickets in the mail, from a trip last May. She's very experienced at traveling in Italy and was unaware of making any incursions into the prohibited area. I'd do as you have considered and the poster below suggested and stay in a modern hotel outside the historic center.
Posted by
turin
17 posts
Hi Bryan, I live in Torino and,yes, there is a ZTL zone around the city center. There are underground parking parking garages that are easily accessible to the hotels in the center. I also believe that you are allowed to drive into the ZTL to drop your bags off at your hotel. You would have to check with your hotel first to find out exactly what the protocal is so that you don't get a fine. Enjoy your time in Torino, it is certainly a beautiful city!
Posted by
turin
17 posts
Hi Bryan, I live in Torino and,yes, there is a ZTL zone around the city center. There are underground parking parking garages that are easily accessible to the hotels in the center. I also believe that you are allowed to drive into the ZTL to drop your bags off at your hotel. You would have to check with your hotel first to find out exactly what the protocal is so that you don't get a fine. Enjoy your time in Torino, it is certainly a beautiful city!