Train or Car to Italy?

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Should I drive with my in-laws to Südtirol/ South Tyrol from Zürich or take the train? I don’t want to be in a packed car for hours. Any downsides to taking the train? Ideally, I would drive myself, but my in-laws think it’s best we drive together in the same car. Usually this is fine, but for such a long trip...I’m hesitant.

2
Take the train don't even think about driving it will be a disaster

3
If I go to Italy, I take the train then rent a car.

so much safer and enjoyable.

4
IMO it's less how to get there, but how to get around once you're there. To get there, the train is surely more comfy. But if rental cars, public transport or taxis are too much of a hassle or prohibitively priced to get around and about once you're there, then going by car is the lesser evil.

5
It depends on the following factors:

- How big and fast is the car (size matters) ?

- Who's driving and how good or bad (dangerous) are they?

- Who else can drive?

- Do you have to sit in the back or front?

- On board entertainment or do you have to sing 999 bottles?

- Do you have to discuss anything unpleasant (family matters)?

6
I would drive, but avoid the Gotthard Tunnel.

7
I'd take the car, and take it easy. Stop at Via Male, take the splugen pass, have coffee in Chiavenna and head east at lake Como....

8
Viamala, not via Male!

Anyway, car, train would be long and useless for exploring the area.

Personally, I'd go to St. Moritz, and then head east, far more interesting.

Tom

9
Hi. We just went to Brixen, Bolzano and Merano (Sud Tirol). We took the train from ZH over Innsbruck. We made our reservations with the OeBB website and got first class in a panorama car to Innsbruck. Our ticket was 37 euro one way (we got a deal!). We took the train from Innsbruck to Brixen (approx 90 min). It cost under 100 euro for 5 people and we lucked out with a couchette. I would consider reservations next time. In Sud Tirol we biked, but the train system seemed excellent. I personally wouldn’t want to drive those mountain pass roads with freaked out family members! Enjoy the Sud Tirol - it’s beautiful and the food is delicious!

10
What a detour.

O.k. for Lombardy or Trentino, but the South Tyrol is more accessible from Zurich through:

Flüelapass or Vereina Tunnel and Ofenpass/Pass dal Fuorn (with option of Umbrail and Stelvio).

Flüelapass or Vereina Tunnel, Norbertshöhe, and Reschenpass.

The Austrian route over/under Arlberg and Brenner.

The Austrian route over/under Arlberg and Reschenpass.

Heck, even the road over the Silvretta-Hochalpenstraße AND Timmelsjoch is shorter and faster than over Splügen Pass.

11
I've been to Südtirol many times by car. It's a BEAUTIFUL drive if you take ASwissintheUS's advice.

Flüelapass or Vereina Tunnel and Ofenpass/Pass dal Fuorn (with option of Umbrail and Stelvio).

Flüelapass or Vereina Tunnel, Norbertshöhe, and Reschenpass.

Personally, I'd go through lower Engadin on the way to Sudtirol and come back over the Ofenpass. Don't forget to visit Glurns, a cute wall-in village.

Südtirol is about exploring the area and you can't do it well without a car. In addition, the area has a more Austrian feel to it so driving there isn't quite like driving in other parts of Italy.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the beauty and hospitality of the area.

12
If you go that

way (Fluelapass), I can recommend the tunnel to Livigno (munt la schera to lago di livigno).

About 10 years ago when I drove through it, it looked like going into a mine. Only single car width, rough cut (no concrete lining) walls, very bad lighting (like you see in the movies in the metro tunnels in NY). Totally sh!t my pants.