Is it difficult to drive and park within major cities of Italy, such as Rome, Florence and Venice?
Our family is planning a summer trip to Italy. Like to take train from major city to city. But not sure how to go around inside the city. Do we need to have a car?? It seems very expensive for rental car from point to point. This will be our first time to Italy. Like to explore more by ourself if possible.
Thanks.
Reply to this Hi Jamme,
Thanks very much for the input. I will check these out.
Reply to this Hi, if you are planning a summer trip to Italy the train cannot be a good idea on July and August. If you'll travelling in June or September will be fine.
I can give you some advice for Florence and Rome. Florence is not so big and you can easily do walking tours. As regards to Rome the metro is the best way as buses can get stucked. The car is a godd idea if you plan to visit the countryside as well, but if you just want to visit major cities than train and public transport is the best solution. But if you can don't come over in July and August. Contact me if you need more info. I live in Tuscany.
Ciao
Reply to this Hi Ciao,
We are going to Italy from 6/22 to 7/6. I have booked the tickets but nothing else. This will be our first time to Italy. Our thinking is taking trains from airport to Rome then to Florence, then to Venice. We will stay couple days in each city. We would like to visit those major attractions in each city.
So is train still an idea or should we rent a car? I heard it is difficult to park inside the city, plus the driving in Italy is opposite of US ( the driver is at right side of the car). Is it true??
Thanks very much.
Marian.
Reply to this Hi Marian,
First of all it is not true that the driver is at right side of the car, it is the same as in the US. Rome and Florence are very well linked by train so there's no need to rent a car and you have booked a good period, the weather should be perfect and cities not too crowded.
So unless you want to visit the countryside or small villages you don't need a car.
Ciao and let me know if you need more info.
Rossana
Reply to this I drove last year through Italy. Loved it but would not drive in Florence again. You really don't need a car there any way. Next time I'd leave my car at the airport and taxi into Florence for a couple of days. In Venice, you park your car as well.
Cheers.
NC
Reply to this Most of the intercity trains have no air conditioning. We traveled to Italy last summer in July, and it was very hot. We used the trains for the most part and rented a car to go through Tuscany a few days. Driving is a little crazy in the big cities, although it was quite nice in the country. We stayed in a little town between Pisa and Florence called Lucca. I would recommend it.
Reply to this Driving is amazing and you cannot see or experience the same Italy without it. However, for a first trip where you want to see the Big Cities, I wouldn't reccomend it. It is very easy to get lost if you don't have a good map and do not speak Italian well(I know from personal experience). If you take the trains and stay in the Major Cities, it is pretty easy to get around without any language issues. Also, I loved the driving because that is my style, but if you can't handle city driving in the states, I DEFINATELY wouldn't try it in Naples or Rome.
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