We are visiting friends in Bologna and than we will be driving from Bologna to Lake Como (3 nights where the car will mostly be parked) to Venice - just to drop it off and get on our Bike & Barge.... My husband wants to visit places along the way from Bologna to Bellagio so we figured rent a car (4 adults w/minimal suitcases) and since we have to get to Venice sort of early we figured the train would take to long. So I looked at Auto Europe and Kemwel and the Fiat is 40% the cost of the VW Passat Wagon and to me looks about the same size. I'd take any and all advice on this and car versus train as well. Thanks.. Donna
Posted by
100 posts
Donna, it's been my experience that you rarely actually get what's pictured, just like here in the US. It usually says "or comparable". I would just rent whatever looks like would be the best fit at the best price. Is the Passat considered a higher class?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15205 posts
The VW Passat Wagon is a segment D car while the Tipo is a segment C. So the Tipo is a lower size car, hence the price difference. I've driven the VW Passat wagon and it's a great car. It's a standard size (large) while the Tipo is intermediate, in rental car lingo. You can fit 4 elephants in the VW (2 in front and 2 in the back), the cargo area is larger than my Subaru Outback. so I was able to fit myself plus 4 women (5 people total) who don't know how to pack light (I will not travel with all of them again, except for my wife since I can't avoid it, simply because I am not a Sherpa).
The Tipo is a bit less spacious but not by much, so if you pack reasonable amounts of stuff instead of your entire wardrobe like my wife and her family, you should do fine with the Tipo. Of course no guarantees you will get that exact model you book. Rental companies might give you a comparable model in the same category.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15205 posts
Regarding the choice of train vs car that is up to you. A car is useful to visit smaller villages. In your case you seem to be using it just to transfer from Bologna to lake Como (where you don't plan to use it) and Venice, therefore it might be of limited value to you.
Cost wise a car for 4 would be cheaper but not if you keep it parked for 4 days. You pay for rental even while the car is parked and maybe you have to pay parking fees on top.
In terms of speed I'm not sure you save a lot of time if any. Transfer times from Varenna to Venice are comparable especially once you include the time necessary for the car return and related paperwork. Trains are pretty fast. It's no Amtrak nonsense over there.
Posted by
OP
Sunriver
1321 posts
Thanks! I will share with my traveling companions. I told everyone since the Bike & Barge has limited luggage space only one suitcase each not larger than 25". We are visiting for 18 nights so a small suitcase should be doable! I would prefer not to rent a car if we don't have to.
Yes the Passat is a higher class
Donna