Driving in Italian Cities: A Tip to Save Time and Frustration
Written by Madeline Jhawar
Right off the bat, let me say that I very rarely recommend that travelers drive in Italian cities. With (kamikaze, I swear) scooters zipping around, the more aggressive driving style of Italians, unfamiliar road signs, difficult or expensive parking, winding, narrow, and one-way streets, and the restricted ZTL zones in historic centers, city driving can be a time-consuming and expensive exercise in frustration.
And, with Italy's extensive transportation systems, there's no need to drive unless you're planning to see the countryside: it's easy to hop between cities using trains and to move around within a city by walking, using buses, trams, subways, or taxis.
However: let's say you've rented a car to explore the Tuscan countryside and need to return it in Florence. Or, you've had a car in Puglia for a week and are dropping it in Naples, where you'll stay for a few days before catching the train to Rome. I understand. You'll need to get yourself off the autostrada and find the car rental place as quickly and safely as possible. If you have a GPS, never mind. You probably won't need this tip.
Otherwise, here it is: follow a taxi.
If the car rental place is near a sign-posted place, like the train station, try to follow the signs. But the minute you get lost or frustrated in a maze of one-way streets, and can't figure out which way to turn your map, pull over at the next taxi stand (sign, above, in the photo). Tell the taxi driver where you're going, and to avoid the Zona Traffico Limitato at all costs. If you've got a traveling companion, one of you can ride in the taxi (and the driver might require this to ensure he's paid).
Don't worry, this tip is tried and true: when I was working as a tour guide, doing week-long bicycle tours in the Italian countryside, the tour pick-up point was always in the center of a big city. My co-guide and I would arrive in a large white van with 15 bicycles on the roof (and another 15 inside), and we'd use the follow-a-taxi trick every time (having tried the hard way at first) so I can assure you, the taxi fare is money well spent.
Photo by Samuel Negredo
Written by Madeline Jhawar
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