Myself and three other travelers are leaving Rome to travel to Lucca. We have reservations for two days in Lucca. We would like to take the train and possibly rent a car in Lucca and either drive or again take the train to Venice and Florence. My questions are: Is traveling by train more economical than renting a car. Also, how important is it to make reservations in advance to take the train to Lucca. Do we need to transfer
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Kent is so correct. A rental car for Tuscany is great. In fact, you rent it in Orvieto which is north of Rome and out of the city and drive throughout Tuscany. You can easily visit Assisi, Cortina, Montepulciano, Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra before heading up to Lucca. The train from Florence to Venice is so practical, it doesn't make sense to drive a car unless you plan on visiting Verona, Vicenza and Padua. Once you get to Venice, you either turn it in or park it. No cars there.
I've saved the worst for last. Do not drive in Florence unless you know how to recognize the Zona Traffico Limitato signs. They also have cameras associated with them that get your license plate. You rental car company will rat you out. BIG TICKET if you enter these restricted areas. Stay out of Florence with the rental car. Pisa also has ZTLs so watch out there as well.
You will most likely be on a mix of different types of train categories. On the high-speeds, you will need seat reservations. On the locals (R, IC or ICPlus) you won't. Will you have to change trains? Absolutely. From Rome to Lucca, probably in Florence and Pisa. Sometimes you change 3 times. It's the way you travel in Italy.
You can easily get the tickets when you get there. 1-2 days in advance is just fine. I'm sure that it's easier for 4 to just jump in a car when you want and this is fine as long as you avoid Florence.
Posted by
OP
Erie, Pa, USA
2 posts
Kent, thank you so much for your quick response to my questions. We leave today and will take your suggestions. Italy is wonderful but a little patience goes a long way.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32201 posts
Carol, I'd probably use train for that trip, unless there were specific "out of the way" locations you want to see in Tuscany. It's much simpler by train, espeially considering the Z.T.L. zones in Florence and other places.
Cheers!