Train versus auto from Italy to Austria

You'll certainly pay a hefty fee for picking up a car in Italy and dropping it off in Austria. For your route, train is probably best.

How long are you going? If 17 days or more on the ground, check out leasing.

I think you should price both and decide for yourself. For five of us a lease was much cheaper than five train tickets, even considering picking up and dropping off in different countries (leases charge for either outside of France).

When checking out a rental car, you will do best reserving a diesel with standard transmission. Automatics are much more expensive and don't get the gas mileage. European diesels are great; there is no vibration, noise or smell that would make you think it's diesel. You will want full CDW insurance for your trip.

If driving, pick the car up as you leave Rome. You don't need it there. Try to find a place outside Florence with public transport in. Florence hotels are expensive and not great, plus you run the risk of getting the limited traffic zone fines.

Finally, if driving, bring a GPS from home that you have learned to use. Italy is tough to navigate with a map because of the lack of signage.

Vienna is a large city, with very little parking (same with Rome and Florence - you'll find more specific info. if you do a search on this website). Salzburg is crowded as well. Seems to me that a train would be easier. Last year, we took only trains for our trip: Vienna-Salzburg-Ferrara-Vernazza-Varenna-Milan.

Thanks all for your help, feels like the train should be the option, now we'll have to figure out how to pack light