Car vs Train, that is the question. We arrive in Milan for two days then go to Cortona for 1-week at a farmhouse, we want to make some side trips to Florence (1 day maybe 2) and perhaps Tuscany. After a week we got to Calabria to the family's home on the coast just below Cosenza for 6 days then back to Rome to fly to the USA. Cost, comfort, time, and convenience are the factors. We really are at a loss the trains sound good but the costs? Cars offer cost savings but driving is a chore. Any thoughts?
Posted by
Mansfield, GA
850 posts
Agree with Bill. I would want a car around Cortona especially if you plan on driving the Tuscany and Umbria areas. The driving is easy there. If you rent your car for your entire visit you can park your car at the Camuchi-Cortona train station and take the train to Florence. Would not try to drive in Florence. We left our car at the Camuchi-Cortona train station for 3 nights. No cost to leave it there. If you do rent a car make sure you get an International Drivers Permit. You can get one at your local AAA auto office. Take a gps with you if possible. They are great for driving in Europe.
Posted by
Danville, California, USA
139 posts
We stayed near Cortona and took the train to Florence. It was about 12 euro round trip. Very easy. I would not drive to Florence. Where you are going to be you will need a car for everything else, going to dinner, unless you can walk to Cortona from where you are staying, sight seeing etc. But there is so much to see in the area. Driving was not a big dear in Tuscany area. It seems you may want a car when you get to Cosenza area. But you may just want to train to their.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Agree with the above replies. Avoid driving in Italian cities, you mention Milan and Rome, pick up car after Milan and turn it in before Rome.
Posted by
OP
New York City, NY, USA
2 posts
Thank you for the tips. I gues what I am still looking at is time versus cost. We are driving the whole leg Cortona to Calabria on a Saturday about 8-10 hours. Rail is 8 hours.
Thanks