Drving from Munich to Rome

Hi, Melinda

What sort of problem do you mean? Driving most areas of Europe is relatively easy. As long as you are staying within EU countries, border crossings are a snap; they usually just wave you through. Italy is a bit more of a challenge, but if you stick to the motorways it's okay. Just keep in mind that the Italians, hmmm, lets just say they drive differently than we do, (they all think they are Formula One drivers); it can be quite exciting. You don't want to take the car into the larger cities, and therein lies the problem; the traffic, parking can be an expensive nightmare, and there's the ever present problem with vandalism. If you do park overnight don't leave anything in the car. Also, many rental companies have a steep drop charge for leaving the car in a different country.

Generally speaking, travel in Europe is best done by train; in most regions, a car is an unnecessary hassle, although there are some places where it is convienent, like Tuscany and Germany's Romantic Road. Trains take you to the center of town where you typically want to be, usually within walking distance of some good hotels. Depending on your itinerary, some form of Eurorail's 'Select Pass and Drive' might work; you can mix up train days with driving days and really customize your travel. You didn't mention the ages of your kids, but they generally travel for half-price. My wife & I have traveled all over Europe by train and it has always been a pleasant experience; we won't rent a car unless we are in an area not well served by the train. Trains are safe, reliable, usually run on time and much more relaxing than driving. Happy travels.

Everything Ash says about auto travel is true. I have rented a car and driven through Europe from Scotland to Krakow. One finds a variety of roads in such an expanse as Europe.

I enjoy the convenience of having a car; stopping where I choose and staying as long as I like.

However, the cost increases every year. Parking is impossible in some areas and too expensive in others.

You will find the tolls on Italian super highways excessive. But driving the back roads permits one to see more of the real Italy.

I stop in the suburbs of larger towns such as Florence and Rome to find a room and use public trans.

The problems in driving through Austria are no different than other areas. Adjusting to the speed of other drivers in all of Europe is difficult for most of us.

If this is your first time to rent a car, read the section in another part of Graffiti Wall called "Driving Europe Crazy" for help. Also read the archives of this page where auto rental is discussed.

In general, driving between cities in Europe isn't difficult, often easier than in the US. The problems arise taking the car INTO the cities. The medieval street plans of most European cities make navigation very difficult, even with a GPS. Your fellow drivers won't be very forgiving if you're in the wrong lane, or make a wrong turn, etc. And parking is often very difficult to find. So yes, taking a car into a European city is usually not worth the trouble.

For the itinerary you proposed, if there are no small-town stops in between, you would probably be better served using rail.

Melinda,

I tend to agree with the others, in that driving might not be the best choice. As mentioned some of the points to consider:

• could be an expensive drop charge if you rent a car in Munich and drop off in Rome.

• cost of fuel is extremely high

• cost of tolls on motorways

• to drive in Italy, you'll need an International Driver's Permit which must be used in conjunction with your home D.L. You can be fined on the spot for not producing one if requested by Italian Police!

• possibility of travelling through Zona Traffico Limitato zones in Italy (especially Florence!!!) and finding an expensive ticket in the mail from European Municipality Outsourcing a few months after you return home.

• driving in many large cities can be horrendous, and especially as you'll be there in summer.

• parking costs

• possibility of vandalism or other damage (be sure to get the full CDW!).

• I'd highly recommend a good GPS unit, in addition to a Michelin Map.

While travel by rail with four people could be a bit expensive, I've found it to be the easiest and stress-free travel method in Europe (and also faster in many cases). The rail stations are all in the main centre of town, so if staying in a nearby Hotel one can walk most places or use public transit. However travel by rail needs a bit more planning, is not as spontaneous and doesn't offer the ability to stop and explore. If you have very limited time, travel by car is not the quickest or most efficient method.

Good luck and happy travels!

Id take the train to Florence and Pisa and then rent a car for the Tuscany area.Then drop the car in Orvieto and train to Rome.The drop off fee for renting in Germany and dropping in Italy could be very high.I like to drive and usually do but not in Italy other then Tuscany.