Need to rent 2 vans for I-month Italy trip

Yes, rental prices are outrageous, and have been for at least a year. I managed to get a screaming deal on a manual 7 passenger van through AutoEurope in Germany for next summer (<$500 for 20 days). Everything else I’ve seen has been about $1600-$2500. So keep watching.

The next thing to consider: do you REALLY need a rental for the full month? You don’t want a car in most places in Italy. Especially in any cities. Maybe you only need it for a week in Tuscany?

Also consider that European vans are smaller than US vans. So if you’re expecting to fit 6 people + luggage in each van, you’re going to have problems. We had trouble fitting luggage for 4 people in the back of some minivan taxis.

Renault has a lease program that you might look into. Just remember that you are responsible for any repairs during that month.

https://www.reidsguides.com/italy/planning/get_around/car_leases.html

Does this provide you any new info?

You have hung around this site long enough to understand the structure. Your question should be posted in the correct section. Probably get better answers.

Thank you travel4fun,
We’re 12 people, ten of which have never been to Italy. My wife and I have been three times; we love Tuscany! This group includes 4 teens and a 4th and 6th grader(grandkids). All kids will journal daily as we hit the main sights. We will probably do trains and a “transfer company tour”from Rome to Pompeii.

Thanks again for your input!

With that size of a group, I would carefully plan the itinerary to limit the time you really need cars. Travel by train between the cities. If you want vehicles for a week or so, rent three smaller vehicles. Find a base location for that week, get to your hotel using public transportation, then the 3 drivers go pick up the vehicles. That way you’re not trying to cram luggage in the car.

Everyone should pack light (carry on only) and be able to handle their own luggage. When traveling in a group, I do something to easily identify each piece of luggage as part of the group. I make luggage handle wraps from brightly patterned duct tape. That way when we have 12 suitcases and 12 day bags to grab off a train, it’s easy to see one that belongs to the group, so none get left behind. This is also helpful when a hotel is holding luggage for us.

Fly into one city and out of another (multi-city) to avoid backtracking.

In addition to all of the above, I'd say your group sounds like it's going to need some serious wrangling, which could impact on the fun you want to have. Have you considered hiring a couple of drivers with vans for the time that you need them? In my experience, especially with rental prices as high as they have been, the cost is comparable.

In July, I traveled through Austria, Italy, Croatia and Slovenia with a group of 9 family members. We ended up renting 2 cars through Costco because all other rates were wildly cost prohibitive. (I would've loved to use public transport, but that's not feasible because my youngest has cystic fibrosis and that requires a lot of extra luggage!)

However, back in 2018 we used the Renault buy/lease program that was significantly cheaper than renting -- we were also able to get an 8 passenger van. Sadly, that option was not available this summer because of a shortage of cars. I think other companies do that buy/lease program too, but I can't recall which ones. Good luck and I hope you have a great time. My family loves to make traveling memories!