Hello, I am hoping for some recommendations.
We will be in Naples in early July, and will be continuing on to Florence. We are a party of - 2 adults, 6 kids ages 20 to 9. It seems to me the high speed train is the best option, we can leave comfortably at 11am and be in Florence by 2pm. Whereas google maps predicts about a 5 1/2 hour drive. This seems like a no-brainer? am I missing something?
Thank you!
Posted by
8859 posts
We were in Italy a couple of weeks ago and took the HS train from Rome to Florence. It took 1 1/2 hours and was very comfortable.
Hiring a car and driver would cost some big bucks.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17162 posts
We were in Italy a couple of weeks ago and took the HS train from Rome
to Florence. It took 1 1/2 hours...
Very kindly but I'm guessing you took the train from Naples to Rome, not Florence. A 'fast', no-changes train from Napoli Centrale to Firenze SM Novella takes about 3 hours, give or take a few minutes, so yes, the Trenitalia site shows a "fast" leaving at 11:09 and arriving in Florence at 14:11: abt. 3 hours.
A vehicle transfer will be VERY expensive but while train tickets for 8 won't be inexpensive, I'm guessing the total $ may be considerably less expensive than a driver ( a random date/time on DayTrip.com is coming up with an estimate of well over $2,000 for 6 adults/2 children, if I've entered the info correctly.) Personally? I'm a fan of the Italian trains all day as seats are reasonably roomy, you can bring your lunch, get up now and again to stretch your legs, see better than from a vehicle, and the restroom travels with you; no need for potty stops. Oh, and you'll get to Florence more quickly than by road. :O)
If you can get that tribe of yours up, washed, fed, dressed and packed a tad earlier, there's another train at 10:40 that arrives at 13:46.
A side mention? You're probably aware of this by now but when buying attraction tickets, making accommodation reservations, etc. your two eldest offspring (ages 18 and 20) are considered adults in most cases, OK? Where driver transfers are involved, your 15 and 14 year-olds may be paying adult rates too, such as on Daytrip.com.
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1334 posts
Absolutely take the high speed train, for all the reasons mentioned above, unless you take way too much luggage! I see people getting on/off and moving through the train with these giant suitcases that they can't lift and will barely fit down the aisle. I think they must have to rely on the kindness of strangers to help them off and on, then they're at the mercy of karma to find a place to stow them. Don't be those people!
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9300 posts
You would need a very large vehicle for that many people and luggage.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8285 posts
Frecciarossa tickets can be cheaper with advance purchase, but are likely non-changeable, non-refundable. You would need a van for this group, extra cost, and maybe short of baggage space. This a very long car trip with an empty return to pay for, and high gas costs.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1873 posts
The high speed trains tops at 300 km/h (Rome to Napoli) or 250 km/h (Florence to Rome), while a driver is likely to get a fine if exceeding 130 km/h. The train trip is much faster and much more relaxing.