Car rental from Venice

[Espada III]

Hopefully not a stupid question, but where is the best location to collect a rental car once we want to leave Venice (we are flying in but will drive away to the south).

Is it better to go back to the airport, into Mestre or in the city itself?

[PAXboy]

I can only pass on the instruction from an italian friend when I was visiting Rome a few years ago. She said: DON'T drive in an Italian city - expecially not Rome! Take the train to the airport and then onto the Autostrada."

We were going south from Rome and she said that starting off on the motorway was best as theere was a barrier separating you from the mad Italians coming in the opposite direction. Leaving me with just one lot of mad Italian drivers. She was right.

So, in the abscence of any further advice, I'd be inclined to caution. We were then on country roads and in small towns for the rest of the holiday and Autostrada back, which was fine. Other friends who knew Italy well added Naples to the 'No Drive' category.

if you have not driven in Italy before, be prepared for anything.

[Espada III]

Thanks. Seems like sensible advice. I last drove in Italy over ten years ago and the memory of a truck overtaking me on the autostrada in heavy rain, with my family with me has not been forgotten.......

[Heathrow Harry]

absolutely no point in going into the city as cars are banned from everywhere but the big parking lot at P. De Roma next to the railway station - you'd just have to turn round and drive back down the causeway

I'd definitely take the train - there are all sorts of types and fares but they are cheap cp UK and if you use the DeutscheBahn website they list them all - you can then book on Trenitalia

Book a car locally if you need it but leave the long distance stuff to the Fangio's of this world