I am visiting Italy for the first time this summer and am wondering about the train\railpass system. What is the best railpass to purchase for Italy. (I cross into Germany eventually for a prepaid flight home) Should I just purchase ticket by ticket? I am also interested in the hill towns of Umbria and Tuscany. I have heard these are better in a car. Can I rent a car in Sienna or would I have to drive from Florence? What is the best way to rent a car? (I'm assuming the country driving in italy is not that crazy)
Posted by
Plano, TX, USA
85 posts
My experience with Italy is that point to point tickets (or a kilometric pass) are a much better bargain. Siena and Florence are easy by train -- but I haven't done Umbria yet.
Posted by
OP
Halifax, NS, Canada
28 posts
Do you need to reserve tickets in advance?
Posted by
525 posts
Hi Nick,
Go to AutoEurope to look at renting a car. We are picking up a rental car in La Spezia and returning it in Orvieto. AutoEurope has LOTS of pick up and drop off sites. I believe there is an office in Siena. You can also keep checking the prices after you rent and if you find a rate lower, AutoEurope will adjust your rate. We paid by credit card and they credited our car from $303.00 to $262.00. we've rented from Autoeurope several times and have not had any problems.
Good luck.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
Nick,
If a railpass in Italy makes economic sense you are travelling too much. Point to point tickets are cheap and easy. Unless you are travelling on a weekend or holiday there is no need to reserve in advance. If you do need to reserve in advance a day or two is sufficent. You can get tickets at any station or at travel agents with an FS in the window.
A car is better for hilltowns in Tuscany and Umbria because many don't have rail stations and buses are infrequent. Siena has an Avia, Hertz, and Eurocar office. See Autoeurope, a broker, for prices. Driving outside the big cities is easy.