Please sign in to post.

Renting a car vs. traveling by train

My husband and I are ending a cruise of the Greek Isles (in Oct) in Venice and want to travel to the Lake Como region, then on to Milan for departure home after several days of site seeing. We will probably have four bags between us and feel that having a car would be easier than struggling with the train/taxis. What is your opinion?

Posted by
1358 posts

With that much luggage, I would definitely rent a car. Be sure to request the smallest one available and diesel power. Thats the only way you can afford to travel by car.

I have wrestled with luggage on trains enough to know that I prefer throwing them in the trunk is preferable to lifting them up into RR cars and dragging them up and down stairs in RR stations. It really gets to be old after a few weeks.

You will find much more of that than you expect in Greece and Italy.

Posted by
1717 posts

I recommend riding in trains. Riding in a Euro Star train, First Class, from Venice to Milan is pleasant. You will not need to walk a long distance with your baggage. Driving a car in Italy can be stressful. At Varenna, hotel Albergo Beretta is located one block from the train station.

Posted by
204 posts

we rented a car when we were in italy a couple of years ago. i have to tell you that we lost our way most of the time but we eventually got to where we wanted to go. it could be stressful especially when our italian was next to nothing. we often asked 'dov e...' which means 'where is...'. but the up side is that we saw more places than if we took the train. so, it's up to you. if you take the train, try to travel lighter. 4 bags are a lot.