We want to base out of Rome and use the trains to get to major destinations. Is this reasonable or are the distances too far to do day trips? What cities would you recomend we include and why?
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Where do you wish to go for day trips? I can tell you that Venice is too far for a day trip and so is Sorrento and the Amalfi coast. If you tell us what you're interested in it'll make it easier to make suggestions. Right now I would just be guessing at what you like and would want to see. Donna
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23788 posts
Describe major destinations. If you are thinking of Venice and Pompeii. It can be done but those are very long day trips and I would not recommend simply because a short day short changes both locations. Florence would be about the max and if you were interested in Pisa, Siena, etc. then it would be better to make Florence your base. You need to provide better information if you want better answers.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Two interesting and fun day trips from Rome are Ostia Antica and Orvieto. Pompeii is doable in a very long day. The other major cities are too far away or have too much too see to be done as a day trip.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2618 posts
Agree Pompeii will be very long day but if you want to see it, go for it. I would think it will be about 3 hours from Rome and back. Fast train takes about hour and half then transfer to commuter train for half hour trip. Drops you 500 feet from Pompeii. That is 2 hours of train travel so I added on an extra hour on for getting from hotel, waiting for trains etc. You can leave early in AM, spend as much time as you want in Pompeii and be back in Rome by dark for dinner.
Posted by
Hoboken, NJ, USA
112 posts
Sure you can travel to Pompeii and Florence as day trips but you are better off actually spending the night in Florence or perhaps Sorento when you visit Pompeii. It would be less rushed that way and you have the pleasure of spending the nights in a different Italian City.
Posted by
Park Ridge, IL
524 posts
Darrell How long is your stay in Rome? Depending on where you want to go, Rome may be more expensive to stay. Is there a reason you want to stay in Rome? You will spend a LOT of time on trains to see other cities. And many of the cities are less crowded, less hot, and seem more charming at night when the tourist crowds have left. I would pick the North of Italy or Rome and the South. Or are your flights in and out of Rome? It is really hard to hit all of Italy in one short trip. It will be good to hear your responses to OP questions so we can respond with better answers.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2618 posts
You also have to consider the costs. Rome can be expensive and then if you are going to go to Pompeii, the cost of two trains for two people can be expensive, have you thought about this? It adds up.
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Rome - Venice is about the same distance as Greenfield to Nashville or Milwaukee; Rome - Florence is roughly Indianapolis to Chicago. I wouldn't try either of those on a day trip even if I were just driving up and back. I think you'd want to spend at least of couple of nights in each of those two cities, IMO.