Travel to Itay...Train or rental car?

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hi,

My friends and I around 4 people) plan to go to Italy.

We are thinking to either rent a car and drive to Italy ...Milan,Rome...etc.

But I found train tickts are expensive since 3 of them are not living in Swiss so they dont have discount cards.

But driving in Italy sounds crazy..

what will be the best option?

thx

2
Definitely more economical to drive and share petrol costs if there are 4-5 of you. You'll need to factor in highway tolls and parking too. And yes, driving in Italy is madness. I almost died of stress on the streets of Milan.

Never tried driving in Rome but an Italian friend drove me about in Rome and I was hanging on for dear life. Was impressed how he managed to horn, cuss and show rude gestures whilst driving at the same time though.

3
you're in a bit of a pickle ...

option one: trains are expensive and crossed the border they will run late but you will be relatively safe and relaxed and you will enjoy the scenery

the other option: you won't depend on any train 'schedule', you'll be independent, the car will probably be cheaper, but you will still be late of course due to the traffic, and how about parking... mmmmmhhhh

i would take the train if i were you

i hate the traffic, the heat and the jams and the way the drive down there, oh dear!

4
I also think about above options....but it is really hard to make decision...

Or I should change my schedule to France? Maybe France is more driving-friendly?

5
In a nice car it would be a beautiful drive, my wife is forever telling me how amazing it was driving from Austria to Venice and seeing the Dolomites etc.

6
austria to venice is definitely not the same as driving to places like milan, bologna, florence and rome not to mention naples

let me tell you it's not an easy relaxing and enjoable drive; unless you just hire a car when in tuscany, umbria, marche, sardinia or puglia

7
hehe yeah, point taken

8
If only touring small towns, I drive, as it's far more convenient and relatively stress-free.

If I'm going to a city, I fly or take a train, as driving in an Italian urban area is sheer madness and will take years off your life. I just returned from Milan last night by train, and it was painless. Although the north of Italy is less chaotic, driving in Milan can get pretty crazy.

You can always consider renting a car, but instead of driving into the big cities, you can stay in a small town nearby and just take the train into the city.

9
Drive for sure....

Everyone must at one point in their life drive in Italy. Deeper the better.....

What a buzz.... But do make sure all your insurances are up to date !!!

10

What he said. Plus it's impossible to park in most Italian cities. Particularly Rome. In Naples there would be a pretty good chance of not seeing your car again.

11
ha ha nicely put

rome is a cross mix between a beehive and an ant colony, they all seem to be about to crash into each other and yet they manage to avoid accidents, pretty much most of the time that is ... watch out for the mopeds...craaazy!

so, if you are not used to that type of driving extra insurance is a must as it's been previously suggested, ah and yes it helps sometimes to just shut your eyes and step on the gas

12
Driving in Italy isn't a problem.

Driving is a no-brainer if you're sharing both fuels costs and the actual driving. Then it's cheaper, easier and more convenient.

13
I have been driving in Italy since around 1985, privately and with my job, so I can advise you to "Let the train take the strain".

The heat and the traffic, the cost of the car hire, the stress of heavy traffic in ugly Italian suberbs, the difficulty parking, the good chance of something "Going wrong" - no chance of me doing that!

The trains to Italy are air conditioned, you can all have a conversation, you can see more of the countryside, you arrive in the city center relaxed.

The SBB will sell you cheap trips to Italy, and if you want, a decent hotel. Italian rail fares are very cheap compared to Swiss prices. But you need to book soon.

www.easyjet one way on Sat 31st July Basel -> Rom + 1 case = Fr 126.-- and come back by train.

or go by train, www.easyjet from Rome to Basel on Sat 7th August + 1 case = Fr 135,--

14
If you do take the car, I suggest a GPS and parking in multi-story car parks/parking garages but they can be expensive in the cities. Some in Italy require you that you hand over your key to some guy who'll park your vehicle for you.

However if you don't regularly drive (and/or had little to no experience in such cities) then consider other options. I think it'll cause you too much stress and probably remove the pleasure out of it all.... think about the traffic, chaos, parking, trange signage, and then as it's a rental car... the extra stress of returning it without any scratches, dints, etc... unless you take the extra extra insurance option

15
I love driving in Italy, Im no boyracer but as they say, do as the locals do... or sometimes you will never get there. Just have insurance and GPS, anyway, trains are cheap Italy.... when they work. Have fun!

16
I always follow the three basic rules when driving in chaotic situations: (1) Don't hit anyone/thing; (2) Don't let anyone hit you; and (3) whatever happens, don't get caught.

17
It depends on 1) your driving skills and 2) where you go.

Some of the Autovia's I've been on are literally "whiteknuckle" experiences. I remember driving to Genova and then Livorno and overtaking hundreds of trucks whilst weaving up/down a mountain is not for the faint hearted. I'm a good driver and it was a small challenge for me.

Parking in Rome and Milan etc is a nightmare. City car parks are not as expensive as you think though and if you find hotels with FREE (or relatively cheap 10-20Euro/night) parking then I'd drive as long as ur confident with your ability.

The main reason to drive is the cost compared to the train/plane option. But its horses for courses...... take care and enjoy

PS hire a scooter in Rome, its an amazing experience - when in Rome blah blah. I take no responsibility for ur safety though as its a personal risk thingy.