Any recommendation for a novice in renting a car in Zurich and driving to the Dolomites? Planning to drive to Pontresina for a 4 day stay and then move on to Val Gardena in the Italian Dolomites. Our itinerary is hiking and we will use public transportation at our destination towns.
Any help would be much appreciated as far as the whole process goes with getting a rental car.
Posted by
OP
Saratoga Springs
25 posts
Thanks for the excellent suggestions. We will be leaving and returning to the US via the Zurich airport. So our plan is to go stop off in Pontresina for 4 days. Then from Pontresina drive to Val Gardena. We'll stay there for 8 and then head back to Zurich for our journey home. While in Val Gardena we will stay in Selva. Have read the information from Rick about car rentals. It was very helpful and I am now looking into getting the extra insurance he suggested.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1259 posts
Hi Ruth. You didn't say where you would want to drop the car when done. Car renting /driving in Europe can be great. However, there is usually a large extra charge to drop in a different country than you picked up. Check 'How to Rent a Car in Europe' in the 'Travel Tips' section of this website.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17244 posts
Are you sure you want to rent a car, just to get to Pontresina and then the Dolomites? It sounds like it will just be parked most of the time, while you are hiking. There is an easy connection by train from Zurich to Pontresina. From there you go by train and bus (via Zernez and Males) to Bolzano, and take the excellent local bus from there to Val Gardena. Or you could rent the car in Bolzano just for the Dolomites portion.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
We've driven parts of your trip (parts of the Swiss leg and around Nauders, Austria and around Val Gardena). The Pontresina to Val Gardena leg will take you up to Nauders if you stay on the sort-of main road. It's not autobahn until you hit part of the autostrada around Bolzano. That road is gorgeously scenic. But also by 'scenic' I mean rural and possibly slow going, one lane each way. Make sure you have plenty of time, I would not drive it at night if you're not familiar with the area.