After determining our way to get to Italy, we’ve compiled all the necessary information and essential tips regarding transportation in Italy: When it’s recommended to rent a car, fly, take a train, or a bus, and what you should consider before choosing how to move between regions or from north to south. Everything depends, of course, on the planned travel itinerary.

Renting a car is, in my opinion, the best way to travel comfortably and efficiently, and the train is our second preferred option, especially between the major cities.

Flights to Italy:

Many tourists arriving by flight to Italy do not consider that internal flights within the Italian peninsula are also an option. Much depends on your entry point to Italy. The capital, Rome, is centrally located. It makes sense to rent a car from there or perhaps prefer to travel by train, or a combination of both. On the other hand, if your entry point is in northern Italy (Milan, Verona, Venice, or Turin) and your final destination for the trip is in the south (the islands of Sicily or Sardinia or even regions like Calabria or Puglia), it might be worth considering a domestic flight.

Italy has countless airports, large and small, some of which you might not have heard of. It’s essential to remember that near every major city with a large airport, there is usually also a smaller airport. Small airlines operating within Europe fly to these airports, and their flight costs within Italy can be significantly cheaper. It’s worth considering internal flights, even if just one way.

Car Rentals in Italy:

The first questions tourists ask themselves when planning transportation in Italy are:
Should we rent a car?
Isn’t it scary to drive a rental car in Italy?
The answer to the first question depends on your travel itinerary, primarily how many major and central cities you plan to include in your trip. If you intend to travel and visit only large cities such as Rome, Florence, Naples, Milan, Venice, or Turin, renting a car in Italy is not required. Public transportation is excellent in most cities, and Italy’s efficient train system will easily take you to any of the major cities. Furthermore, parking at hotels and in the centers of large cities can sometimes reach 30-35 euros per night. Remember that the car will be parked most of the time and not driven, so renting a car is really unnecessary when your itinerary includes many major cities.
The answer to the second question is: not at all!! Italians know how to drive well, and there is no fear in joining traffic on the road.
Moreover, if you plan to explore rural areas, renting a car in Italy will allow you to reach many unique places and include scenic spots that would be hard to get to otherwise (even by bus).

Once you conclude that you need a rental car for your trip and the itinerary you’ve established for yourself, or at least for part of it, consider the following factors before deciding which car to book:

1. Who you’re traveling with: Always remember that the trunk space in rental cars is not particularly large, so it would be wise to book a car suitable for the planned luggage amount. A family of two adults and two children might want to reserve a station wagon or a minivan for seven people. For a trip of 5-7 people, it’s also worth considering a vehicle with nine seats.
2. Manual or automatic: Most cars in rental companies in Italy have manual transmissions, and very few come with automatic transmission (which also costs more, of course).
3. Fuel: Most vehicles in Italy run on diesel. Check with your rental company about which type of fuel is required for the rented car’s fuel tank. This is important when planning overall fuel costs for your trip.
4. Driving license: If, heaven forbid, you’re stopped by local police, they will ask to see your international driving license, not the one from your home country. Remember this well before your arrival in Italy.

Decided to rent a car in Italy? Get 10 tips you must not miss before renting a car in Italy.

A recommended site for car rentals in Italy that centralizes all major companies is: Rentalcars

Trains in Italy:

There is no better way to see Italy’s cities than by train, which connects almost every town or city. Driving in cities in Italy is a challenging task that can sometimes end with an expensive and unnecessary traffic ticket. The use of trains in Italy has become increasingly popular in recent years, largely due to the Italian railway website Trenitalia, and it serves as an alternative to internal flights, even for trips from north to south or vice versa. There’s no need to drive to a distant airport, no time-consuming check-in, no baggage limits or weight restrictions – it’s perfect.

The train website for booking tickets: TRENITALIA

Buses in Italy

Italy is spread over 20 regions, which significantly impacts bus transportation within the country.
Traveling by bus within each region individually is smooth and efficient. Each region has buses that allow access to almost every point within it.
The problem starts when you want to travel by bus from one region to another. Even if the bus is not the method you’ve chosen for your travel itinerary and you’re without a vehicle, you’ll discover that the bus is the only way to reach some places you’ve chosen to visit.
In charming towns where you choose to stay, there may not always be a nearby train station, making bus travel an option that shouldn’t be dismissed outright.
So, how to move from region to region? Several companies operate routes between different parts of Italy. It’s advisable to check before traveling.

An excellent and user-friendly site for booking bus tickets is Omio

Companies that allow booking tickets from Europe to Italy:
Eurolines,  Busabout, Flixbus

Bus companies in Italy providing transfers between regions:
Omio, Traveling, Flixbus

Regional bus companies in Italy:
Rome and Lazio – atac, Florence and Tuscany: ATbus, Milan and Lombardy: ATM, Venice and surroundings Actv.it

Cruising in Italy:

Italy is located in southern Europe and the Mediterranean, making it easy to reach by cruise. The fact that it is surrounded by the sea reinforces this possibility, especially for coastal cities or islands. Most cruise companies operate during peak seasons and close in winter when the weather does not allow for sailing. For those traveling with a car, it should be noted that not all ships/ferries allow cars onboard. Some are too small, and in some destinations, cars are not needed. It’s vital to verify in advance whether the destination you’re traveling to allows vehicle transport or if you can leave it at the departure port.                          

Recommended sites for booking cruises to Italy: Traghetti