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Anyone drive themselves around in Italy?
Posted on 6/26/25 at 7:42 pm
Posted on 6/26/25 at 7:42 pm
We are about to go to the Dolomites and Lakes Garda and Como.. flying into Venice, leaving out of Milan. Staying at AirBnBs
Renting a small van/SUV (5 of us)....
Any driving tips, warnings, suggestions? Rural roads look narrow as hell.... and of course Italian drivers have a reputation...
Renting a small van/SUV (5 of us)....
Any driving tips, warnings, suggestions? Rural roads look narrow as hell.... and of course Italian drivers have a reputation...
16
Posted on 6/26/25 at 8:02 pm to TigersnJeeps
Yes and it’s not difficult. Just don’t speed on the highways as there are speed cameras everywhere.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 9:17 pm to TigersnJeeps
Yes, drive from Rome up to Tuscany and back. Rented an Alfa Romeo Stelvio so similar in size to what you're considering.
As another poster said, don't speed on the highways as there are cameras everywhere. On the rural roads, all bets are off.
Also, be sure to get the international drivers permit as the rule is strictly enforced in Italy.
As another poster said, don't speed on the highways as there are cameras everywhere. On the rural roads, all bets are off.
Also, be sure to get the international drivers permit as the rule is strictly enforced in Italy.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 5:27 am to TigersnJeeps
Driving around Italy is fine. Great in some instances. Driving in the major cities is maddening. Drove up around Lake Garda and all over Emilia Romagna last summer. Dropped car in Florence. You will be fine. Those back roads are magical.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 6:33 am to BlackenedOut
^^This.
I drove around the DOlomites for several days earlier this month. Just be patient as it can be slow at times. Respect the bicycles. Motorcycles will pass bwtween cars but you get used to it.
I drove around the DOlomites for several days earlier this month. Just be patient as it can be slow at times. Respect the bicycles. Motorcycles will pass bwtween cars but you get used to it.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 6:34 am to TigersnJeeps
A nanosecond is the amount of time between when the light turns green and the people behind you start honking (in Rome.) In other words, don't drive like a pussy.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:58 am to TigersnJeeps
I have driven around Italy on several occasions. Twice we spent a week with a rental car in Tuscany. Those were great vacations.
We have driven from Rome to Tuscany to Venice. The toll roads between cities are good highways for driving.
You don’t need a car in the big cities. They are walkable and the only thing worse than the traffic is the parking.
If you can drive in the US you will have no problem driving in Italy. Just be careful in the snow covered mountains.
We have driven from Rome to Tuscany to Venice. The toll roads between cities are good highways for driving.
You don’t need a car in the big cities. They are walkable and the only thing worse than the traffic is the parking.
If you can drive in the US you will have no problem driving in Italy. Just be careful in the snow covered mountains.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 10:37 am to geauxpurple
No snow on mountain roads at this point. Weather was great in the Dolomites.
DO NOT hang out in the left lane. It is for passing and is a sure fire way to piss off other drivers.
OP: What town are you staying at in the Dolomites. If it is Otisei you have to eat at Tubladel. Their food is fantastic.
DO NOT hang out in the left lane. It is for passing and is a sure fire way to piss off other drivers.
OP: What town are you staying at in the Dolomites. If it is Otisei you have to eat at Tubladel. Their food is fantastic.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 10:46 am to TigersnJeeps
Yes. Drove from Florence to Tuscany and all through Tuscany for a week. I got a camera ticket in Florence for driving in a commuter lane. I couldn't read the signs. Had to pay one ticket through the car rental company then they kept sending me more tickets when I got back home. I never paid any of those
Posted on 6/27/25 at 11:34 am to VABuckeye
quote:
DO NOT hang out in the left lane. It is for passing and is a sure fire way to piss off other drivers.
Also, do not pass to the right. Only pass on the left.
People in Europe will let you know quickly if your driving sucks.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 12:22 pm to VABuckeye
here are the towns (or maybe districts?): Cortina d’Ampezzo, Plan Da Tieja, Torri del Benaco, Perledo, and Milan.
Thanks for the recommendation...
Thanks for the recommendation...
Posted on 6/27/25 at 12:28 pm to TigersnJeeps
I'd do a day trip to Ortisei and go up the cable cars to Alpe di Suisi and Seceda. Beautiful up there with tons of hiking trails.
Lago da Braies is also very pretty.
Lago da Braies is also very pretty.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 1:32 pm to TigersnJeeps
Did that in Spain in the 90s. It was a series of 91 near death experiences so I just ride in the back now.
Posted on 6/28/25 at 11:17 am to TigersnJeeps
We usually rent a car. It’s not difficult at all once you get out of the cities. City driving in Italy (and most Euro countries for that matter) is …. not fun.
Posted on 6/28/25 at 1:47 pm to TigersnJeeps
I’m in Positano right now and I’m SO glad I didn’t rent a car. These ppl are fricking insane on these tiny arse roads.
Posted on 6/28/25 at 6:36 pm to TigersnJeeps
I agree that it’s generally pretty straightforward. Two possible exceptions.
I got a ticket for driving in an area of Sienna that I wasn’t supposed to be in. I did it and knew it shortly after doing it. I’m pretty sure I did the same thing in Pisa but wasn’t ticketed.
Also, as noted above, driving on the Amalfi Coast is pretty difficult. Perhaps even harrowing at times. It is doable but I’m not sure I’d want to do it again. Not sure if your itinerary takes you there or not.
I got a ticket for driving in an area of Sienna that I wasn’t supposed to be in. I did it and knew it shortly after doing it. I’m pretty sure I did the same thing in Pisa but wasn’t ticketed.
Also, as noted above, driving on the Amalfi Coast is pretty difficult. Perhaps even harrowing at times. It is doable but I’m not sure I’d want to do it again. Not sure if your itinerary takes you there or not.
Posted on 6/28/25 at 11:29 pm to TigersnJeeps
Be careful of “green zones” in some cities. Got a ticket in Modena for parking in one. I think the Maps app has the restricted zone on it.
Otherwise it’s not any different than driving like normal. Almost all of the Italian countryside is beautiful so highly recommend driving.
Otherwise it’s not any different than driving like normal. Almost all of the Italian countryside is beautiful so highly recommend driving.
Posted on 7/10/25 at 5:04 pm to dirtsandwich
Agree. Tuscany and Umbria are fine to drive in. Amalfi - hell no.
Posted on 7/11/25 at 7:31 am to TigersnJeeps
Driving in Prague was enough to make me not want to drive in another European city again.
Posted on 7/11/25 at 8:30 am to Free888
Yeah, driving in the Italian countryside is fine. Would I want to try to figure out what to do at a 6 way intersection in Rome? Hell, no.
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