We use the term "transfer" to refer to the short segments of ground transportation between airports and hotels, and between train stations and hotels. We also use the term transfer to refer to trips between certain towns and rural locations which are not served by trains

Transfers are usually done by vehicle, but sometimes by boat, as in the case of Venice transfers. There are also some transfers that are best done by train, as in the case of getting to or from the airport in Milan.

Transfers can be set up on the spot, when you are in Italy, using public transportation or taxi. Transfers can also be prearranged, as part of your ItalySource package, so that a driver with vehicle or boat is waiting for you at specified times at airports, hotels or train stations.

Some ItalySource packages include one or more transfers, while other packages have no transfers. For the city transfers, such as between airports, stations and hotels, you can generally save money by working out your own transfers when you get to Italy, and we can advise you about your options for doing just that. However, it is very convenient to have at least the "key" transfers worked out and paid for in advance.

Certain transfers are more complicated than others or are more likely to be appreciated as prearranged services. For example, Venice is at the very top of our list for recommending prearranged transfers. That's because use of the public transportation in Venice can be frustrating as well as physically exhausting when you have luggage with you, on the way to or from your hotel. Also, just finding your hotel in Venice can be a challenge. Another example of a prearranged transfer most people appreciate is the arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel, when you first get to Italy. For most people, that is in Rome. And after your transatlantic flight, it's very nice to have someone waiting for you at the airport, after you exit the baggage claim, ready to get you straight away to your hotel, the cost having been paid so that you don't need to worry about having enough euros in your pocket.

Other transfers are pretty simple, such as the ones to take you from your hotels to the train stations in Rome and Florence. For a party of two people, having the hotel call for a taxi is a very easy and inexpensive solution in those cities. When you have a party of four people or more people, it can make sense to prearrange these station transfers, instead of using taxis. But for a party of two people, we rarely recommend setting up a prearranged transfer.

Arrival at a train station and transfer to your hotel is easier in some cities than others. In Rome, we like to see the transfer included for going from the train station to the hotel, just because the taxi scene at the Rome station is a bit chaotic. In Florence, the same transfer is simple enough to do by taxi, so we only recommend doing it on a prearranged basis for parties of more than two people.

Then there are the specialty transfers, the generally longer ones that connect you between towns or cities or to get you to rural destinations. Our packages include these transfers whenever they are essential to the itinerary and have no good conterpart in public transportation. Examples are the transfers between the train station at Naples, at one end, and hotels at Sorrento or Positano at the other end. We also do a lot of transfers in Tuscany and at the lakes north of Milan.

Please look carefully for transfers in the list services for each of our packages. If you think you may wish to add one or more transfers, take a look at our list of Add on services. We many have the price listed there for your transfers. Or contact us to get our opinions or a quote on the cost to add transfers.