Transportation choices in Italy

We are in our 70s and always use the trains. Plenty of luggage storage either near the entrance or on overhead racks. A carryon size bag works best for the overhead racks. Luggage storage is about the same for first and second class except first class will have fewer passengers so not as much pressure on the general storage area. We get by very well with two carry on size bags.

Not a good idea to drive into the historic centers of Rome or Florence.
Probably not Milan, either.

Grayactor,

• Traveling by train in Italy is very easy and much faster than driving.
• You can take a high speed (freccia) train directly from Milan's central station( Milano Centrale) to Florence ( Firenze S.M. Novella)

• You can also take a train from Florence to Siena but a bus is better
  since it will stop at the city center.

• For bus schedules check this website: http://www.sena.it

• Freccia train from Florence to Rome (Roma Termini)

• You can take a day trip to Orvieto from Rome via train.

• Check the official Italian train website for schedules: http://www.trenitalia.com

• use Italian names for train stations (given in parentheses above)
  when using above website.

You can place your luggage on racks above the seats or near the train door, or some of the newer trains, have space between the seats.

It's best to travel light when traveling by train as it's an inconvenience to lug around your suitcases on & off the trains.

Edit : Most of the larger train stations have elevators, however, some of the smaller ones do not, so you may have to climb a number of stairs to get to the train tracks-- definitely a challenge with a medium- large suitcase!

I've always used trains. I've driven elsewhere in Europe, but I don't want to attempt it in Italy. Packing lighter is definitely going to be important. The only benefit I found in first class, when I've used it, is that sometimes there's enough space to leave my luggage by my seat. That makes my life a little easier. But you can't count on that – it depends on unsold seats.

The luggage racks at the back of the cars work okay for me, and I'm not particularly strong. The biggest Challenge may be getting the luggage in and out of the trains, since the steps can be high. However, I take my time and get myself out before I reach back to get my luggage. I often find that someone will help me… If for no other reason, to get me out of their way. And that's fine with me.

i suspect that sherry answered your concern about getting on and off the train with luggage....stairs are steep but unless you are getting off in the suburbs at 5.30pm, the crowds are manageable. .. the others are right that there is actually plenty of storage.....under your seat for carryon of modest size (slightly more space up and down than on the plane due the lack of upholstery on the train seat.....and yes, there is over head space....but it is pretty high up there. it does NOT sound like going first class guarantees any assistance with luggage.

EDIT use the toilets on the trains....even if they seem a bit sketchy......my experience with the Milan station rest room was that it was down a lot of stairs and seemed to be a mile from our track,,, also know that you would each need a Euro coin to get thru the turnstile into the restrooms

gray,

I agree with the others that even with arthritic knees, train travel is probably your best bet. A few points to consider regarding your original questions.....

• Many Italian towns and cities have ZTL (limited traffic areas), with hefty fines for violations. With a car, that means that you may end up parking some distance from your hotel and having to walk as you won't be able to drive to hotels in the historical centres. If your hotel is out of town and provides free parking, you'll end up having to walk farther to see the sights.
• Many Italian cities have multiple rail stations, so you'll need to know which stations to use. If you choose hotels near those stations, that will minimize walking.
• You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Man In Seat 61 website, which has photos of the interior of Italian trains. That way you'll be able to visualize the seating and luggage details.
• There are usually luggage racks at the end of each car to place larger items (be sure to watch them so they don't "disappear"). Smaller items with valuables should always be kept with you and placed either on the overhead rack or on the floor beside you if there's room.
• When using rental cars in Italy, note that EACH driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These can easily be obtained at any AAA office for a small fee.
• In larger rail stations, there will only be a few steps to board the train, as the platforms are raised above track level. I sometimes throw my kit onto the train and then climb aboard.
• Many of the trains you'll be using between larger cities will be the "fast" trains, and I've found in those that second class is quite comfortable. On the Regionale trains, there are often no classes and only one type of seating.
• Using faster trains such as the high speed Freccia that travel at up to 300 kmH will be much faster than a car, and a more efficient use of your holiday time.

A few important points on using trains or other public transit in Italy.....

• You'll need to know what type of train you're using on each trip. If you're using a Regionale train, you MUST validate the tickets prior to boarding the train on the day of travel. Failure to do so can result in hefty fines which will be collected on the spot! The same is true with Buses and Metro. DON'T forget to validate!
• If you're using the "faster" trains such as the Freccia high speed or InterCity trains, these have compulsory seat reservations which are specific to train, date and departure time, so can only be used on the ONE train specified on the ticket. Those caught without a valid reservation for the train they're riding on will (you guessed it) be subject to hefty fines collected on the spot!

Were you planning to buy rail tickets at stations in Italy, or online?

The size of your suitcase is key: If "medium-size" means 21" roll-a-board, you should be fine. If it is 24" or larger and weight over 22 pounds, it will be a challenge. My husband (71) and I (62) travel by train extensively here, always with 21" roll-a-board and a day pack. We hate the station stairs (between platforms) but manage because our load is light. Getting on-and-off the trains is not bad and if we have to lift the cases over our heads, he can do it because I'm too short. :-)

We just took a car trip and sorely missed our lovely trains! You cannot go everywhere by train, but if there is service available, it is much more relaxing than driving.

I have driven in eight or ten countries in Europe, including Portugal and Ireland, and would not attempt it in Italy. There are train countries and there are countries where you need a car, and Italy is a train country in my opinion. (Maybe if you were doing a tour only in rural areas, a car might merit consideration). This is especially true on your itinerary. Trains in Italy are fast and reasonably priced, or at least were the last time my wife and I were there in 2007. As others have said, the key is packing light. I am not a proponent of "carry on only" because I want a real carry on in addition to my main bag. But the more experienced I get as a traveler, the more I think it's best to limit the size of your largest bag. I would not worry at all about having enough space on the train for your bag though. I have never encountered a problem in that regard anywhere in Europe. For a larger bag, you might have to leave it nearer the train doorway, so don't put anything valuable in that bag. If you pack a smaller bag it will probably fit overhead.

I agree with Laurel and Sherry - packing light and using a smallish suitcase is key. I am short and not particularly speedy, but I can manage to get my suitcase (a 20" rolling carryon, plus a Civita daybag) up the train steps, and down when it's time to deboard.

One tip is to be ready to get off the train when it stops at your destination - some trains stop for only a minute or two, and people sometimes try to get on while others are getting off. I always know the stop before mine, and that's when I start to get my stuff together and move toward the door. It's best not to be the first one off the train, since some train cars need to be opened manually from inside (by button or lever) - let someone else figure that out. I usually put my suitcase on and off the train before I get on or off - and Sherry is right, people will help you, if for not other reason than to move you (politely) out of the way. That's fine with me.

This may sound complicated, but it's a lot less stressful than finding parking, unintentionally entering a ZTL because you didn't notice the signs and then getting a BIG ticket in the mail nearly a year later, and worrying about theft from the car when it's parked (a problem everywhere, I think).

As stated, first class is considerably more expensive, but has larger seats. I always travel second class.

Two things -- be sure you have on each of you only one small wheeled 20-inch carry-on bag, packed light, under maximun allowed total weight. Be sure that your back-pack is light. It's Not funny watching a person get sabotaged by his/her back-pack while trying to climb the stairs to the train car. Trains may have one or three long steps, allowing for several people to board/deboard at the same time, or a narrow stairway of many more steps, wide enough to support only half a foot, and allowing passage for one person at a time. And you will like how lightweight luggage conserves your energy.

Finally, travel First Class where available. Even if you take a Regionale train, check if First Class cars are available. Reserved Second Class will get seats for both of you (you can reserve seats adjacent or directly across and facing the other), but the only luggage storage may be a rack high over the seats. Obviously easier to manage lightweight bags. There may or may Not be storage at the end of the car, and it may be filled.
First Class has "A" shaped storage in between seat suites, as well as the overhead rack. First Class is usually Not as crowded as Reserved Second Class. There is more space available for people and luggage in First Class. If there are empty seats in your suite, you can put your luggage in your suite. Again, you can reserve seats adjacent or across. There are still stairs to climb, but you will have more time going up and down.

I don't recommend "winging it" and settling for coach. Coach is filled with local workers, students, soldiers, and lots of young travelers who can bounce up the steps and sit down before their duffels land on the rack. There's No guarantee two of those coach travelers will give you their seats on a long trip. And you should Not expect them to make way for you. It's common for many people to ride the vestibules in coach.

You know you have special needs. Accommodate them and you will love train travel in Italy.

A rental car is not likely to get you right to the door of your hotel, given the driving and parking restrictions in each city.

Space available for storing your bags onboard any train are the same in first or second class. However, if you would feel more comfortable with fewer people coming and going in each train car, you may prefer either 1st, premium or business class; the faster Le Frecce trains use the latter seating designations. Packing light and going early to the train station are both good strategies. I have always found other passengers to be quite willing to help load a bag onto the train or onto an overhead rack, as long as it's a reasonably-sized bag to start with, not over-packed. If you get run down and feel you need boarding assistance, it can be arranged for elderly and mobility challenged passengers.

Laura's point is great, also pls know, as much as we have said that the "kindness of strangers" will be available to you.....there are a few suspect individuals lurking in train stations who will offer to help you with your bags....and you might loose your camera, for example, in the process. (not to scare you. I found the trains lovely)

The a-shape luggage areas are on most second class carriages as well (I almost never travel first class). There may also be storage areas in the middle of the car.