We will be leaving Bologna and then heading to a house outside of Lucca for a week. From there, going to Rome for a few days. This is in June/July if that matters. I’m trying to decide where to rent and return the car we’ll use around Tuscany for the week. It seems it might save time and complexity to rent from Bologna? Then does it make sense to return to Florence or Pisa to take the fast train to Rome? Or return to Lucca the day before and get a transfer to the Florence train station? Drive part of the way to somewhere along the way like Orvieto, and then the train? Drive the whole way to (outside of) Rome?
I’m aware I’d get a gold medal in overthinking….any help is appreciated!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8001 posts
I’d return in Lucca and take train from Lucca to Rome via Florence
You could get it in Bologna- not sure what the drive is like-Roberto should have advice
You could pick up in Lucca too but availability might be an issue especially if you heed automatic
Orvieto only has Hertz so that would limit your choices
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16621 posts
What is your exact Itinerary?
Are you landing in Bologna (BLQ) and going straight to Lucca?
Are you staying in Bologna a few nights then going to Lucca? Regardless of airport of arrival? If so where are you staying in Bologna? Near the station, far from the station?
Are you going from Lucca to Rome directly without room for other stops? Or would you consider some other night stops between Lucca and Rome?
Life is complicated. Overthinking is not a bad thing.
Posted by
OP
Ohio
81 posts
Flying into and staying in Venice for 3 nights, then planned a night in Bologna near the city center - not too far from the train station. We don’t have time to add stops between Lucca and Rome.
Thanks!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16621 posts
Since you will be traveling by train between Venice and Bologna, then you will know that trains require you to travel light because you have to carry the luggage on board by yourself. So I would go from Bologna to Lucca by train (change in Florence) and rent the car in Lucca. Avis-Budget, Europcar, Hertz are present in Lucca although not walking distance from the station so you will need a taxi. Alternatively I would rent the car in Florence, maybe even at the Florence airport, and drive from there to Lucca. The Florence airport is at the start of the freeway A11 which is the freeway to Lucca, so that would be very convenient. The drive from there to Lucca is a bit over 45 min (all freeway) but I don’t know where your accommodations near Lucca are. To reach the Florence airport you can use a taxi (about 30€ or the T2 light rail trolley. The airport rental car center is offsite on Via Palagio degli Spini so if you take a taxi tell the driver to take you there. If you go by T2, that takes you to the terminals. From there they have shuttle buses to the rental center.
Posted by
OP
Ohio
81 posts
Thanks - very helpful!