What to do with car in Venice

Park it or drop it off
You’ll be paying big bucks to keep that car that you can’t even use in Venice

Where are you coming from and going to?

Either leave it parked somewhere or return it.

There is a huge parking garage at Piazzale Roma.

We simplify followed Rick's advice and parked at the Tronchetto. Easy to get to and has a vaporetto stoop to get you on your way into Venice.

Thanks, I was looking for the silver bullet, but none exists.

Turn in your rental car when you get to Venice.

Rentals are expensive this year, and parking isn't free either: have you looked at the price of returning the car in Venice and picking up another one 4 days later? You might save a bit!

Where are you going after Venice? You might not need a car.

The car is for the previous 12 days, Hill Country, Cinque Terre and last 2 days in Milan, and then Malpensa to USA.

You could drop the car in Milan and take the train to/from Venice. Alternatively, turn the car in in Venice and then take the train to Milan. You don't want a car in Milan.

I can see the Hill Country, but Cinque Terre, and Milan? It will be a rolling boat anchor that sits in expensive parking lots.

By Hill Country I assume you mean hilltowns in Tuscany?
That’s the only place you’ll need or want a car
CT, Venice and Milan you don’t need or want.
You also may find some unpleasant surprises in your mailbox a few months after you return home

From your previous post it looks like you have 4 passengers plus luggage so that’s not a small car
The rates are well over $100/day this year for just the most basic economy model.

Have you already booked the car?
Have you checked your train options?

My advice is ONLY Rent the car for the days you really need to use.
Make sure all drivers have their IDP
and do your homework regarding driving, speeding, parking and ZTLs.

Paying for renting and parking a car in places you won’t need doesn’t make sense, and it’s not just the $$$ it’s the headaches and stress of having a car in those places.

By Hill Country I assume you mean hilltowns in Tuscany?

I had never heard about an "hill country", so I thought they are going to visit the Prosecco Hills in Veneto, on the way to Venice, or the Unesco Langhe Hills between the Cinque Terre and Milan. Both areas need a car and it makes sense to drive from there to the next destination.

If you are right and they mean Tuscany, I'd just drop the car in La Spezia and take trains from there to the Cinque Terre Village of their choice and then to Milan and Venice.

I think we all agree that driving between the Cinque Terre villages and between Venice and Milan is a complete waste of time and money.