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Transportation between France and Italy

Need to know what is the best way to get to Florence from Monte Carlo, Monaco this summer. Should I rent a a car or take the train? Do not want to go all the way to Milan. Can you get off the train somewhere closer? Help!!!

Posted by
7916 posts

I agree with Frank. A car is an expensive, unnecessary expense just to get from point A to B. (Rental, Insurance, drop off fee.) I to am confused by the reference to Milan and getting off "closer. The train will take you directly to Florence, dropping you off in the middle of town. A journey like this will require you to change trains, most likely from a regional line from Monte Carlo to a Main line, then somewhere in Italy. A quick look showed options for changes in a number of towns (Torino, La Spezia, and Milan) But the routes through Milan were a couple hours faster, around 6 hours vs 8 or 9 hours.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you for your replies! I will look into train schedules. As for my comment about Milan. When I was researching train schedules, it looked like I had to go through Milan to get to Florence. Now, it looks like I maybe able to get off sooner and train across instead of "up and over". Once in Florence, I will rent a car as I would like to have the option of touring at my own speed.. thanks again for your advice!

Posted by
23562 posts

Another best question in which best has no meaning. A car would be most convenient and most expensive if dropping the car in Florence. Believe you can connect through Genova. What makes you think you have to go through Milan? If want to look at schedules go to bahn.ge

Posted by
33513 posts

What is the attractiveness in taking a train fewer miles but which is much slower? This question has been frequently asked and I am sure the usual answers will come. In the meantime, if you search around you will be able to see previous threads. Look for Nice rather than Monaco.

Posted by
8700 posts

Are you an early bird? If so, you can a regional train from Monaco to Ventimiglia, departing at 05:49 and arriving at 06:13. You'll just have time to buy tickets for your next two legs (Ventimiglia-Pisa and Pisa-Florence) and then catch the 06:33 IC train to Pisa. In Pisa you'll have 11 minutes to connect to a regional train to FLorence which arrives at 12:00. If 05:49 is too early for you, take a regional train to Ventimiglia in time to buy tickets and catch the 08:58 IC train to Genoa. Connect there to a FB train to Pisa. Connect there to a regional train to Florence, arriving at 15:22. Go to bahn.de to see all possible departure times for Monaco-Ventimiglia. Go to trenitalia.com to see all possible routes and times from Ventimiglia to Florence. On the Trenitalia site enter a date within seven days from today in order to see the times for regional trains.