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Getting around in Italy
Posted on 4/16/16 at 10:29 pm
Posted on 4/16/16 at 10:29 pm
Figured I'd take advantage of our newest board and post some questions about traveling in Italy.
My gf and I leave in 2.5 weeks for a 13 day trip to Italy. We fly into Milan and then travel to Venice, Florence, and finally Rome.
I have hotels and tours booked. I am not sure about other items though. Specifically train travel. To those that have been, did you book your train travel between cities in advance? Everything I'm reading online says if you are unsure of departure times required then it is best to book the day of travel or a day or two in advance. It'll cost a bit more, but the times are much more flexible. Is this true? I just can't decide if I should be booked Frecciarossa tickets now or later. We will also need to travel from Milan to Varenna, but I think we are okay to book that the day of travel as the train leaves every hour.
Also, is it necessary to have euro upon arrival? Or would withdrawing from an ATM when we land be a good route to go?
Lastly, does anyone have experience purchasing city cards? I saw there is a Milano Card...I have also seen the Firenze card. Are these worth the money? Mostly they grant you access to multiple museums as well as some free public transportation.
My gf and I leave in 2.5 weeks for a 13 day trip to Italy. We fly into Milan and then travel to Venice, Florence, and finally Rome.
I have hotels and tours booked. I am not sure about other items though. Specifically train travel. To those that have been, did you book your train travel between cities in advance? Everything I'm reading online says if you are unsure of departure times required then it is best to book the day of travel or a day or two in advance. It'll cost a bit more, but the times are much more flexible. Is this true? I just can't decide if I should be booked Frecciarossa tickets now or later. We will also need to travel from Milan to Varenna, but I think we are okay to book that the day of travel as the train leaves every hour.
Also, is it necessary to have euro upon arrival? Or would withdrawing from an ATM when we land be a good route to go?
Lastly, does anyone have experience purchasing city cards? I saw there is a Milano Card...I have also seen the Firenze card. Are these worth the money? Mostly they grant you access to multiple museums as well as some free public transportation.
11
Posted on 4/16/16 at 10:31 pm to jordan21210
First... Don't brink euro and just go to the ATM.
Train travel can be booked while there.
I would strongly recommend finding a way to rent a car and see some things off the beaten path. My best trips were seeing the countryside.
Train travel can be booked while there.
I would strongly recommend finding a way to rent a car and see some things off the beaten path. My best trips were seeing the countryside.
Posted on 4/16/16 at 10:57 pm to jordan21210
As to using an ATM for cash needs there, check with your bank as to the potential transaction and/or conversion fees involved. It can be expensive to withdraw Euros with the wrong US bank card at the wrong European ATM.
Make sure to notify the issuer of any card you plan to use in Europe beforehand that you are traveling there.
I bring about €1,000 with me when I go to Europe in case there's a ATM or bank problem. You can live for more than a couple of days on that amount. Also I'll have at least 20 €5 notes for tips. My bank here gives me a decent deal on ordering foreign currency.
Have a good trip, sorry I don't have information on your other issues.
Make sure to notify the issuer of any card you plan to use in Europe beforehand that you are traveling there.
I bring about €1,000 with me when I go to Europe in case there's a ATM or bank problem. You can live for more than a couple of days on that amount. Also I'll have at least 20 €5 notes for tips. My bank here gives me a decent deal on ordering foreign currency.
Have a good trip, sorry I don't have information on your other issues.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 6:53 am to jordan21210
Driving in the country was fine. I would not attempt to drive in Rome.
We purchased our train tickets ahead of time. Whatever works for you. If you want to stand in lines then by all means by those city cards. It sounds like you have tours booked already so I don't see the point to them anyway. One museum a day in a city and I'm done with them for the days. Most of the tours are 3+ hours.
We took about 500 Euros with us and it was plenty. Pretty much everyone took credit cards. You get a better conversion from your credit card company than by e changing money.
Enjoy. Italy is awesome.
We purchased our train tickets ahead of time. Whatever works for you. If you want to stand in lines then by all means by those city cards. It sounds like you have tours booked already so I don't see the point to them anyway. One museum a day in a city and I'm done with them for the days. Most of the tours are 3+ hours.
We took about 500 Euros with us and it was plenty. Pretty much everyone took credit cards. You get a better conversion from your credit card company than by e changing money.
Enjoy. Italy is awesome.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 10:48 am to jordan21210
Took the same trip with my family of 4 (2 children under 13) in 2014. Use ATMs for money. Bring a small amount with you. You can get Euros at your bank here in advance. They try to screw you at every turn when exchanging cash.
As for travel, we used trains exclusivley. Public transportation in Italy is very easy to use. I would book in advance if you can because the prices are cheaper 30/60/90 days out.
The only reason we stayed in Milan overnight was to see AC play Juve. If we had not stayed for the game we would have hit the train station from the airport. Milan wasnt bad but not worth more than 24 hours.
As for travel, we used trains exclusivley. Public transportation in Italy is very easy to use. I would book in advance if you can because the prices are cheaper 30/60/90 days out.
The only reason we stayed in Milan overnight was to see AC play Juve. If we had not stayed for the game we would have hit the train station from the airport. Milan wasnt bad but not worth more than 24 hours.
This post was edited on 4/17/16 at 10:53 am
Posted on 4/17/16 at 12:44 pm to jordan21210
If you visit museums without a tour make a reservation before you go, you will not have to stand in long lines
Posted on 4/17/16 at 6:38 pm to jordan21210
Driving in Naples is WAY worse than driving in Rome! It was so bad.
I've along been once for our honeymoon. We did Florence, Positano, and Rome. Positano on the Amalfi coast is my favorite place in the entire world. Great food. Amazing views. Secluded beaches. We took trains everywhere except to and from Positano. We got a driver. I would not recommend driving even a mid-sized car around there.
I've along been once for our honeymoon. We did Florence, Positano, and Rome. Positano on the Amalfi coast is my favorite place in the entire world. Great food. Amazing views. Secluded beaches. We took trains everywhere except to and from Positano. We got a driver. I would not recommend driving even a mid-sized car around there.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 7:28 pm to jordan21210
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/17/17 at 12:37 am
Posted on 4/17/16 at 8:30 pm to jordan21210
Train tickets can be bought online or at the station. We took a train, but needed a rental car to get to a few places we were staying. Either is an easy option.
Yes. You need euros. Go to the bank asap and get some euros. It may take them a few days to get. You can always cash them back in for dollars at the same bank if you don't spend them all.
Credit cards will charge you for using atm for foreign transactions, and the bank is free. But you can get cash there at ATMs if needed.
The exchange places in the airport profit off of you. It is not just a nice service.
There are places to get cards readily accessible. Venice is a good place to get the boat pass. I had all of the tours booked. So I didn't get the Florence pass. I just skipped the line with the guide when we went.
Yes. You need euros. Go to the bank asap and get some euros. It may take them a few days to get. You can always cash them back in for dollars at the same bank if you don't spend them all.
Credit cards will charge you for using atm for foreign transactions, and the bank is free. But you can get cash there at ATMs if needed.
The exchange places in the airport profit off of you. It is not just a nice service.
There are places to get cards readily accessible. Venice is a good place to get the boat pass. I had all of the tours booked. So I didn't get the Florence pass. I just skipped the line with the guide when we went.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 2:00 pm to jordan21210
blablacar.com
Posted on 4/18/16 at 2:47 pm to jordan21210
When we went we booked flights in and out in advance and then trains and everything else as needed.
one day when I go back to rome I will drive. some people like skydiving as a thrill but after seeing it first hand, the driving in rome is insane and seems like a life changing experience that I must try. I don't know if I should go vespa or fiat though.
one day when I go back to rome I will drive. some people like skydiving as a thrill but after seeing it first hand, the driving in rome is insane and seems like a life changing experience that I must try. I don't know if I should go vespa or fiat though.
Posted on 5/22/16 at 4:05 pm to jordan21210
I am making the trip to Italy, hitting Rome, Florence and Venice. We only have 10 full days.
Rome and Venice we have rooms booked, but not sure about where to stay in Florence. Anyone have hotel recommendations?
Rome and Venice we have rooms booked, but not sure about where to stay in Florence. Anyone have hotel recommendations?
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