One base or several hotels? The real cost of moving — and the best base cities
Every hotel change costs about half a day. Fewer bases and fast day trips usually give you more Italy.
PROTOTYPE · SEO/GEO article v1 · facts from the EmweGo guides (checked 2026-09-23) · question source: Traveller-questions research A01–A10 (Reddit, forums), 23 Sep 2026 (A02, A04, A08) + Threads B1
Short answer
On a trip of 10 days or less, use one or two bases and day trips instead of changing hotels every night or two. A move costs roughly half a day: check-out, getting to the station, the train, getting to the new hotel, check-in. Good bases have fast trains in several directions: Florence (Rome 1 h 25, Bologna 37 min), Bologna (Florence 37 min, Venice 1 h 19), Rome (Naples 55 min, Florence 1 h 25) and Verona (Venice about 1 h, Milan about 1 h 10, Lake Garda).
Checked 2026-09-23 · Italy · Where to stay
At a glance
Rule of thumb
Max one base per 3–4 nights; one or two bases for 7–10 days
A hotel change costs
About half a day door to door (our planning estimate)
Florence
Rome 1 h 25 · Bologna 37 min (fastest Italo)
Bologna
Florence 37 min · Venice 1 h 19
Rome
Naples 55 min · Florence 1 h 25
Verona
Venice ≈ 1 h 01 · Milan ≈ 1 h 10 · Lake Garda by train
Watch out
Day trips add return time — choose places under ~1½ h away
What a move really costs
Good to know
The hidden half-day
Pack and check out (≈ 30 min) → to the station (20–40 min) → buffer and the train → to the new hotel (20–40 min) → check-in, often not before mid-afternoon. A 1½-hour train easily takes 4 hours door to door.
Good to know
Travellers’ most repeated advice
Candidate · not verified · 2026-09-23
On a 10-day first trip, pick a coherent north or south route, or two bases — transfers otherwise eat a big part of the holiday.