Traveling by train in italy tips for beginners
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What we do know for sure is that traveling to Italy by your own means a before and after in the travel experiences of any foreigner who chooses this corner of the world. We do not know a single person who has not loved it. We came back completely in love with its people, its food and its cities. Shall we start?
We recommend the car option, only if you are going to make a route through nearby countries such as Croatia or France. Keep in mind that parking in cities like Milan, Florence or Venice can cost you a lot of money, since the downtown area is restricted to vehicles or is payable.
The big question you will ask yourself when organizing a trip to Italy. As always, it will depend on the days you have available and what you want to see, but we believe that 7/8 days is the minimum you need to enjoy this Mediterranean country.
To travel around Italy we recommend using the train, it is the best option. The stations are located in the center of the cities, besides being a comfortable and inexpensive transport. Calculate that a trip between Milan and Venice has a price of about 20 euros in modern high-speed trains. Check prices and availability on the Trenitalia website.
Italy in 7 days
It is true that most travelers entering the country do so by plane, however, a very popular option is to access certain areas by boat. There are many alternatives of cruises in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic that allow you to know the coastal areas, and you can also make excursions to larger cities such as Rome.
In this sense, one of the best tips to travel to Italy that we can give you is to take into account all the factors: the price you are willing to pay, the time you are going to be there, the amount of places you want to visit, what will be your starting point…
In case you are planning to leave from your origin driving, you should check if your license is valid within these borders. If you are from the European Union, there will be no problem. Otherwise, we recommend that you check the Italian driving regulations in case you have to apply for an international license.
On the other hand, it is convenient to know that tolls and the price of refueling is high and the roads, in comparison with those of the rest of Europe, are somewhat more neglected depending on the area through which you circulate.
How to move in Italy
Italy is a member of the Schengen Agreement. Foreign military personnel entering Italy under a Status of Forces Agreement do not need a passport and need only show their valid military ID card and their travel orders. Their dependents, however, are not exempt from visa requirements.All non-EU, EEA or Swiss citizens staying in Italy for 90 days or less have to declare their presence in Italy within 8 days of arrival. If your passport was stamped upon arrival in Italy, the stamp counts as such a declaration. Generally, a copy of your hotel registration will suffice if you are staying in a hotel. Otherwise, however, you will have to go to a police office to complete the form (dichiarazione di presenza). Failure to do so may result in expulsion. Travelers staying longer than 90 days do not need to complete this declaration, but must have an appropriate visa and must obtain a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno).
Traveling in Italy by car
With the car you will have a lot of flexibility of schedules, it is economical (especially if you travel 3 or 4 people) and the trips from city to city are affordable (never more than 4 hours). In Italy there are many car rental agencies and most of them allow you to pick up the car in one city and drop it off in the next, so it is very convenient. On each day of our smart route we will tell you in which Smart Link you can book your car at the best price and where to pick it up and drop it off.
To be able to drive in Italy, it is essential to have a valid driver’s license from your country. If you are not EU citizens, you will also need an International Driving Permit. Get it at least 4 weeks in advance at your local Traffic Office or through the automobile associations in your country.
To make driving easier, we recommend using a GPS navigation system that you can bring from your country of origin (remember to download the maps of the country of destination) or rent in the car rental offices.