Our family of 4 is hoping to do a day trip to Venice. We think a train from Florence would work, but then don't know about parking the car? Does any one have suggestions? Thank you!
Posted by
near Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
521 posts
Trains to Venice from Firenze Santa Maria Novella take just over 2 hours, so that's quite a bit of the day to get there and back. Check www.trenitalia.com for schedules and prices. Using Google Maps I searched for parking near Santa Maria Novella station, and there seem to be a number of places. Here is one example, just 30 metres from the station, charges €30 for a large car for 24 hours: http://www.garagedellenazioni.it/
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Lois, you must be extremely cautious in looking for a parking place in Florence. All of the historical area is in a restricted ZTL zone. There are safe roads into and out of a couple of major parking lots but if you happen into any of these ZTLs, it's a certain $150 by the time you get the ticket. They get your license plate with a camera. If you are in San Gimignano, you have two choices. 1) take the bus to Florence and then transfer to the train. 2) drive and park your car at the Venice Tronchetto. Either way, if you are attempting a day trip from San G., you won't see much daylight in Venice. To drive, it's a good 4.5hrs each way. Plus, according to www.viamichelin.com, you will pay 36Euros for petrol and another 19Euro in tolls. The bus/train will take you almost as long.
Posted by
OP
Colchester, VT, USA
2 posts
Thank you for the very helpful suggestions! I appreciate your research and guidance. We will think about the bus from San G. TO Florence and then the train to Venice for a highlights tour. Best regards
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15174 posts
I would drive. You can be at the Tronchetto garage in Venice in 3 hours. It's almost all freeway (about 300km, or 180 miles) and the speed limit is 130km/h (80 mph) most of the way. The cost is also less than the train for 4 people. Also that gives you a little more flexibility because the last train back to Florence is at 7:25pm. The only drawback is for the driver.