Talk to me about driving, please!

Rome is a nightmare. The normal Tuscan roads and the Autostrada are a piece of cake. I wouldn't worry about it. You may want to stay away from Firenze however as it can get a bit busy. Parking in the train station is expensive but easy access in and out.

Only other thing you have to worry about is the roundabouts. They take a bit of getting used to but are easy once you figure them out

Drop the car off at the Venice airport or at the train station and rent another one (if you need to) for the rest of the journey. You'll just be paying for parking in the Venice garage.

I would suggest getting the GPS as the Tuscan roads are confusing to say the least.

"Should we avoid the autostrada?"

Answer: No, it may be the easiest driving you'll find in Italy.

The thing to avoid, as much as possible, is driving in or through cities and larger towns.

Many experienced travelers in Italy use this rule of thumb to increase the quality of their vacation experience: if trains go there, take the train. Tuscany countryside is not efficiently served by rail.

Cindy,

A few thoughts on your questions.....

Driving outside of Rome (or other large cities) should be somewhat less nerve-wracking, however you'll still have to watch for ZTL areas, which seem to be more prevalent these days. I find traffic in Naples to be worse than Rome!

Since you're already in Rome, it's too late to recommend an International Driver's Permit. Hopefully you won't have any problems?

Having a GPS unit will be a big help, especially in some of the more rural areas where signs may not be too plentiful. In addition to a GPS, I always travel with a good Map for "backup".

If you want to drop the car prior to Venice, you could consider Verona or Padova. Venezia Mestre might also be a possibility (I've never checked?) The train ride from Mestre to Santa Lucia is very short and easy. Another option would be to drop the car in Pisa and take the train to Venice (beware ZTL areas though - perhaps drop at the airport?)

I'm an experienced professional driver (driving for over 40 years), and I also prefer not to drive in Rome. I'm sure I could manage, but my holiday is much more enjoyable if I don't have to worry about parking, vandalism, CDW, "The Boot" or having an "incident" in a country where I'm not completely fluent in the language. Should an "incident" occur, having an I.D.P. could be a big help!

Good luck!

The autostrade is just like any interstate toll road here in the US. Just remember that the far left lane is generally reserved for those folks going far above the posted speed limit. When someone flashes their headlights at you as they approach from behind, it just means move over.

Most other drving is manageable. stay out of Florence with a car, watch out for ZTL signs. Having a driver and a navigator helps.

Figure out a larger town that is in the direction you are headed. Many of the traffic signs on the smaller roads may not have your smaller destination marked, but will have the larger one indicated.

Roundabouts tend to frustrate American drivers since we don't see them very often over here. As you enter there will be a sign with each outlet marked with a city. Find yours quickly then count out the exits till you get yours. I find that works for me.

La Spezia is a bigger city but the through routes are fairly well marked.

WE always pick up the extra no deductable collision insurance.

The approach to Venice is fairly well marked, mostly autostrade and then to the causeway. I have always picked up and dropped off at the airport in Venice, but then you'll need to take the bus into town.

Roundabouts and more roundabouts and then some more roundabouts. Don't be surprised if these have signs that give you two options to get to the same place. Italians also don't use route numbers like we do. They use city to city directions and don't talk about, or even know the route numbers. Asking "How do I get to Hiway Such and Such?" will be met with blank stares. "How do I get to City Such and Such?" and they will reel off a whole series of little towns in the order that you have to drive. Its fascinating to discover that they really don't think like we do when it comes to directions. Italians also drive in bumper to bumper, tailgating Packs with big clear carless spaces between those packs. When you find yourself in one of these car trains, pull over and let everybody pass and also strategically try to be the LAST CAR to leave a village. And if you see a pack coming up behind you, pull over and let them all pass. Don't try to speed up to outrun them. That will not work. You'll have the entire road to just yourself If you understand this pack mentality that the Italians have. The biggest thing for me to get use to is that scooter and motorcycle riders will pass on the right at ANY opportunity. Just be aware of that at all times. Also, Italian drivers do not use their turn signals. If you see someone using turn signals, they are also tourists in a rental car.

You know I wonder sometimes if it's not our expectations that help determine an outcome. We didn't expect to have any trouble driving in Tuscany - and we didn't. We picked up our rental car in Florence and dropped it off in Pisa and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. If you drive at home, you can drive in Tuscany. We generally stayed off the Autostrada and stuck to the smaller roads - much better for sight seeing anyway. Parking can be an issue but most of the hill towns don't allow parking within the center anyway and provide parking lots close by so even that wasn't that bad. It's really great to have the freedom to go when and where you want and not be tied down to bus or train schedules. We found the Italian drivers to be quite courteous overall but we stayed away from the large cities!

We have driven in Italy on 2 different trips:

I cannot recommend driving in Florence or other large cities. We parked outside the city and took public transportation in.

There are speeding cameras everywhere in Italy. They are on the autostrada, but they are also on many smaller roads, particularly in Tuscany. You will see a sign, then the box with the camera. Just drive the speed limit, and you will be fine.

Be familiar with what a ZTL zone is and know what the sign looks like. They are mostly in the historic areas of towns and cities (of all sizes) so avoid driving in those areas.

Other than that, it was a piece of cake. As others have said, the autostrada is very easy.

Rome is not like any other place you are driving.
lAutostrada is fine and easy way to travel.
Stay in right lane. Pass in left, then get back
right over. Italians dont wander along in the left land like Americans, partly because an Audi or Mercedes will come up on you in the right lane going about 100 mph.
Signs on autostrada are easy to follow.
Small towns means smaller roads but more fun and
very scenic. You really can't get lost because going down the "wrong" road often results in finding something more beautiful and more fun than your planned route.
As for driving to Venice, the road ends at the car return area in Venice. You don't actually drive in Venice. It is a four or six lane road right into the area where the road ends, the buses drop off tourists and the car rental places (on the right as I recall) are located.
It's probably harder to drive into Verona and drop off your car than Venice.

As others have said try to stay out of the big cities and you will be fine. Very easy to drive there. I love the roundabouts. Here is a site that you can navigate that will be of help with your driving in Italy.

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/index.htm

Cindy,, I will not say much about driving, as I haven't driven in Italy,, but I will say this,, I constantly see posts,, on this forum and many others by tourist shocked at recieving traffic tickets with fines attached,, from trips taken months ago.

Apparently in the cities it is very easy to drive into or even just through forbidden zones. And the do not forgive lost tourists.

Good luck and keep you eyes peeled for those traffic restricted signs.

Cindy, you'll be fine driving in Tuscany. Here are a few more tips. If you aren't able to get a GPS, stop at a gas station store on the autostrade and buy a good, detailed Michelin map. If it's not too late, reserve a diesel car--a lot better gas mileage. The autostrada is a toll road so carry cash/change. Like others have said, when driving on the autostrada ALWAYS drive in the right lane unless passing--and do it quickly. Do not drive to the train station in Florence--stay on the outskirts to avoid a ticket. The easiest and fastest place to drop off the car would be the Venice airport. Then take a bus to the city.

By the way, when parking the car, take all indications that you are a tourist out of sight in the car such as tour books, maps, etc. We even buy an Italian newspaper/magazine and leave them on the seats in plain view. Put suitcases in the trunk or under the cover of the hatchback. These are simple car theft precautions.

You will be fine driving in Tuscany--it's like driving in the country. Rome would be like driving in NYC, which I wouldn't attempt to do. Relax and have fun.

My husband has an IDP, we brought a Garmin GPS, and I have a Michellin Tuscany road map. So I guess we're armed and ready! I just really needed to know if the driving in Rome was at all like what we could expect of the roads and driving elsewhere. Rome seems incredibly difficult to navigate - both roads and drivers! Thanks for the assurance that Tuscany will be different!

I think the largest cities we plan to visit will be picking up the car in LaSpezia and then visiting Verona before we leave the car in Venice. We're supposed to drop it off in Piazzale Roma.

Is there a smaller city (or easier to drive in) than LaSpezia that we could take the train to pick up a car? We'll be heading south along the coast and then going to Lucca.

At Piazzale Roma - can you give me any advice for following signs or knowing where to go?

When people talk about roundabouts, will we be driving into cities with them or usually parking in the outskirts in parking lots?

Thanks so much for all the detailed advice. It has been VERY helpful. We are having a GREAT trip - first time here.

La Spezia is the more convenient place and should not be a big problem driving out of.

Roundabouts are every where and are basically a way to keep trafiic flowing when changing routes.

Here is some info from the Minnesota DOT on them. Same principal in Italy except the example is a four point interchange and you'll likely encouter ones with one or two more exits or one less.

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roundabouts/

For dropping off the car at P le Roma, just get explicit directions from your rental company.

The roundabouts are located at intersections everywhere. Instead of stoplights, Europe uses roundabouts. It sounds strange but you'll get used to it quick enough. The Garmin should announce which spoke to take off the roundabout ('take the third exit towards La Spezia')

You should be able to enter the piazza roma on the search as well and it will give you directions on how to get there. It's been a few years since I've been there but IIRC it was not too hard to get to.

Rome and Naples are mental to drive in. I drove an ambulance for 10 years and I still did my best to stay away from driving in those cities. Unlike the US where defensive driving is the norm, you have to be an aggressive driver in Italy. The drivers are very good in Italy...you won't have to worry about the LOL driving 35 MPH and swerving between lanes or the other random bad drivers you get in the US but don't expect a lot of courtesy when changing lanes, stopping distance, etc. in Italy. Go with the flow and remain alert.

Piazzale Roma is easy to get to. You drive the Autostrada through Mestre and onto the bridge across the lagoon. Then just follow the signs. It's literally at the end of the road. It's much easier to drive in and drop a rental car in Venice than any other city location such as Verona or Padua.

Cindy, First and foremost, don't panic! Driving in Italy is much like the states. Do not avoid the autostrada, it is your friend. Nothing more than any Istate in the US. If you have fears about Venice, just check with your rental agency, and find an option that works for you. The rail system in Italy is great, and for me Tuscany is the best area of Italy to be in your own car. I would drop the vehicle somewhere in Tuscany, and train from there. We chose to drop in Chiusi, and train to Venice, and then to Milan to go home. The important thing is to not get panicked and let this ruin your trip. Slow down and enjoy. Jeff

Hi Cindy, We did the same trip minus Lake Garda. As long as you stay away from city centers, you'll be fine. We did not find the driving bad at all. The Autostrada is like any big interstate here in the US and Tuscany is country driving on veeeery winding back roads.

I don't know what car rental company you are using, but we picked up in La Spezia and were only about a mile away from the Autostrada going pretty much straight from where we picked up the car. When you get to La Spezia train station, you will need to take a taxi to your rental agency. When you exit the train station, follow the signs left down the hill to the taxi stand. If there aren't any taxis there, you will see a small phone booth. It is to call the taxi. Just pick it up and one will be there shortly. We didn't realize that and waited around about 1/2 hr before we figured it out.

Also in Venice, the road dead ends. All the car rental companies are in the building to your right. Just park whereever you can and go into the rental company, they will go out and move it after they check it out.

One last note, there is a new road on the Autostrada when traveling from Tuscany to Venice which our Garmin did not have and left us going in circles. Make sure you update yours before you leave. This was this past summer and I guess it was recently finished as the worker at a toll booth told us that the GPS's don't have it yet.

Have a great time--both Tuscany and Venice are everything you expect and more! Wish I were there with you.

Thank you so much, everyone! You have all been a HUGE help. My husband and I feel much better. I appreciate the encouragement and all the specific info and suggestions. Thanks again!

Are you already in Italy? If not, please purchase a GPS with European maps pre-installed. Garmin makes a good GPS and there is an online tool on their website to help you choose the right one. I ordered mine through Amazon.com, however. Learn to use it before you leave.

Driving in the countryside will be rather pleasant, but the roundabouts can be confusing (they're everywhere), thus the GPS! You can thank me later for this suggestion. A good GPS will also warn you about the speeding cameras on the Autostrada and point you towards public parking (A+++). Whatever you do, stay out of the city centers with the car and find out the boundaries of the local ZTLs before you arrive.

Driving the Autostradas are a snap, and I recommend that you either have cash on hand to pay the toll or use your credit card. The slot into which you place your ticket is also the slot that you insert your credit card. It took me a minute to figure that one out! The Autostradas will be easier to drive than the meandering back roads. Remember to keep to the right unless passing. I have found that the posted speeds are not universally observed and that I had no problem as long as I kept up with the rest of traffic.

This is a new question related to driving. Should we try to take our own GPS or just rent it there? If we take our own, would we need to download maps ahead of time? What experiences have some of you had regarding renting vs. taking?

Thanks.

Driving in Italy reminded me of driving in Mission Beach, CA growing up. The roads were narrow, packed with cars and every parking spot had a car in it.

I noticed a few differences between driving in the US and Italy.

When turning left at a light, you don't wait for the oncoming traffic to clear before you proceed. When the light turns green, you work your way through the oncoming traffic. Does that sound nuts? Welcome to Italy.

Especially late at night, don't expect people to stop at red lights. Just because a light is green, don't assume someone won't run the light on your right or left. Italians aren't careful drivers, you have to be careful for them - and risk getting honked at by the people behind you for being careful.

Italian drivers are aggressive. They will always give you space to get in but get impatient quickly if you don't move right in - then they start honking. I guaged the success of my driving based on how many times I was honked at.

Good luck finding street signs. You have already done the most important thing for driving in Italy, bought a GPS.

It was fun (in a Theme Park thrill ride sort of way)!

:)

All such good advice so I have little to add. This is a great thread.

I concur that you need not avoid the autostrada, but something you may wish to consider is the primary benefit of having a car in Tuscany is that you don't have to travel on the autostrada and you can enjoy the scenic country roads, the small towns, estruscan historical sights, farms and wineries. After all, you can take a bus that travels on the autostrada.

oops. probably too late to help you..

Peggy, I would take my own GPS. You would already be familiar with it so no learning curve as you would have with a rental. If your GPS does not already have European maps on it then you would need to either download the maps for your gps or purchase a gps with European maps already loaded. Both Garmin and TomTom have units with European maps and it is usually cheaper than buying one without European maps and then purchasing them later for download. Of course if you already have a non-European map GPS it my be cheaper to buy them and download to your unit. There may even be exceptions to that if you shop around and find a real good deal on one with Europe maps.

Having just driven in Italy last week, with my Garmin GPS, (Sorrento area and Adriatic coast, not Tuscany) here's my advice. Yes, the GPS is great, but don't rely on it totally! Pay attention to the road signs too. We had some mishaps at the beginning of the trip because the GPS either gave incorrect instructions (wanting us to turn onto a road that wasn't there) or tried to save us 5 minutes by taking a 'shorter' but extremely complicated route down narrow alleys through the heart of town. The GPS instructions on where to go when entering a round about didn't seem to make sense and sometimes it didn't even realize that we were in a round about. Once I realized that I needed to watch the road signs carefully, things went much better (if the GPS wants you to turn off of a nice main road and go into a narrow street, but the road signs are telling you to stay on the main road...follow the signs, not the GPS). To avoid getting lost when trying to find a hotel in the middle of town, I would suggest getting directions directly from the hotel beforehand...that's something we regretted not doing.

We are currently in Montepulciano for the week and as you can see, have survived! I am reviewing your advice, which has been excellent. You are correct in that the autostrada has been our "friend" - truly the most stress-free driving. The most horrendous driving was north of Lucca in the mountains. Oh my gosh! I would avoid that again at all costs. Talk about ulcers. We wanted to see the caves of Grotta del Vento, up by Barga. Not only do you have the typical countryside Italian roads, but they are even narrower, no white stripe down the middle (not that it matters), you can't see around any corners since you are on a mountain, and there's truly only room for one car most of the way. We had to back up on a cliff (no guard rail) when we met a tour bus (off all things) head on.

The only benefit was that now we feel like all the other country roads are as wide as can be in comparison. I'm assuming we won't encounter that again if we are just touring around Tuscany (hopefully to Volterra and Assisi). Is that correct?

Also, what is it like to go to Verona? We don't need to stop, but I was just curious. Thanks again!!!