Hello
We are traveling to Italy in March and will have a rental car while in the Florence & Tuscany area. We then will be in Rome for 5 days before driving to Pompei/Amalfi. Is there any need for a car in Rome as there is parking where we are staying? Is a car needed to travel to Appian, Catacombs & Aquaducts? Thank you.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
You can't drive in central Rome and Florence, unless you live in central Rome and Florence. The districts of bigger cities where non residents can freely drive in... are the same districts where there is no reason to stay and not much to see.
In Pompeii and Pisa do not leave ANYTHING in the trunk.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Thank you for the response. Sorry I was not clear on the fact that we are just picking up the car in Florence for Tuscany.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Kathy, before you rent a car for anything BUT Tuscany, please read this and download their e-book. Pertinent info on signage, and rules of the road for Italy.
Doing so will save you very expensive fines up to a year after your return.
To drive in Italy, you need an IDP which is a translation of your license which you also are required to have.
IDP is available at AAA cost is $24.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6859 posts
On my list of places where I would rather get a root canal than have a car, Rome has got to be right near the top.
Avoid having a car in Rome. Cars are great in many places. Rome is someplace where having a car would be a major headache at best.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11834 posts
We traveled by Metro or bus to go everywhere, including a the Appia Antica and Parco degli Acquedotti. Rick Steves’ book guides you to the AA. The Parco degli Acquedotti is reach by Metro from the Guilio Agricola station. Ron in Rome’s website has had a good description of how to get there, but the site is down for maintenance. 😟
BTW, we lived in Rome and I would not drive in the city for anything. I did it a few times and it was unnerving.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11834 posts
I would not want a car for Pompeii or Amalfi Coast either.
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
Amalfi Coast was no problem when I drove it in May.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8359 posts
Orvieto is the popular place to return rental cars as the Hertz agency is just across the street from the train station. Many people take the 70 minute train ride into Rome Termini.
Due to traffic congestion, poor roads and a general lack of parking, few tourists take rental cars into the Amalfi Coast. They take the train 150 miles down to Naples and switch trains which take you right to Pompaii and down to the coast.
Trains are preferable on that leg of your trip.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Thank you for all of this advise. What a great platform.