My girlfriend and I have decided to fly into Milan and drive straight to Cinque Terre. Do you have anything against doing this? Google maps is telling me that it's approximately a three hour drive. I heard driving can be difficult in/around Cinque Terre -- is that true (i.e. tough hills/bad roads for a manual compact car)? Also, how is the drive in general? Thanks!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Ben W.,
It's unlikely that you'll be able to drive from Milan to the Cinque Terre as quickly as taking the train (especially if you're using one of the fast trains).
I've found that driving estimates from Google Maps and others are ALWAYS inaccurate, and the trip ALWAYS takes longer than expected.
Note that for driving in Italy, each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which must be used in conjunction with your home D.L. Failure to produce an I.D.P. can result in fines on the spot, and failure to pay the fine can result in the car being impounded (even rental cars!). The I.D.P.'s are easily obtainable at any AAA office.
A GPS unit and / or a good Map would also be a good idea. Finally, as a previous reply indicated cars are somewhat useless in the Cinque Terre and there would likely be the costs for parking as well.
Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
New York
2 posts
Thank you both!
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
Ben- Some tips for if you decide to drive:
The drive itself is easy. Mostly autostrada (there will be tolls) However, you need to decide in advance where you want to get off since if you "zip" by, it is not as easy to get turned around and back on as one would like. We park in Levanto and take the train from there. I have never driven down to one of the 5 towns, but the drive to Levanto was easy. If you are only doing the Cinque Terre (no other need or desire for car) take the train.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Click here, scroll down to parking, read the 1st paragraph carefully. That's why about 90% of travelers (reporting in here) choose not to rent a car until after their time in the CT (say, to explore Tuscany).
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, USA
320 posts
Ben:
I have done this twice. It is easy. If you want to take a car then take a car. You will find that there are "train" people and "car" people on this helpline. I am sort of both.
It is a long boring story about why I had a car on both trips so I wont go into it.
The drive is beautiful. It is easy to park in Monterosso (once I parked in the big municipal lot and once I stayed at Hotel Villa Steno and they have parking). There isn't really any practical parking alternative for the other CT villages.
The roads down from the Autostrada to the Cinque Terre are indeed narrow and winding. Big deal. It is just a few miles and frankly you'll find narrow and winding roads virtually everywhere you go in Europe. Have fun.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
"You will find that there are "train" people and "car" people on this helpline."
There's no need to be all one way or all the other on this, many of us suggest trains when they make sense and cars when they make sense.
And so, there are also people on this helpline who, for Italy in particular, recommend a car when having one will enhance the quality of the trip experience, and who recommend the train when that choice will enhance the trip experience.
For example, take the train from Milan to CT, avoid having the useless burden of a car just sitting in the overnight parking at the CT, then pick up a car after the CT to explore Tuscany or other locations where trains don't go.