Car or Train to Orvieto or Assisi?

Posted by Terri (La Pine, Or) on 11/04/13 12:56 AM

We will be traveling into Rome the first of March, staying 3 days and then onto either Orvieto or Assisi for a night. From there we're planning to go to Tuscany and staying in the Chianti area. Planning day trips to Florence, Seina, and other small towns in the region before returning back to Rome. I'd prefer to wait and rent a car outside of Rome and looking for suggestions. We only have 10 nights total and want to experience the country side of small towns. I'm looking for recommendations on renting a car; farmhouses or B& B to stay in Chianti, Orvieto and Assisi. Lots of information on rail options, but I think we'd be happier with a car once we're out of Rome. Ideas?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

11/04/13 01:31 AM

16236 posts

Orvieto is very convenient by train from Rome (70 min on a Regionale) and there are a few rental car companies near the station (AVIS, Hertz, Europcar).
Assisi is a little farther and it will likely require one train change (at Foligno or Chiusi). I don't think there are major rental companies located in Assisi, you would need a taxi ride to the Perugia airport, about 10 km away.

So it really depends on your plans. If Orvieto, it's best to take a train, visit Orvieto and when you departure for Tuscany rent a car in Orvieto.

If you go to Assisi first, then to Tuscany, you might be better off renting before you get to Assisi, because otherwise you have to go to Perugia to find a car. In that case you could take a train to Chiusi, rent a car in Chiusi (which has rental agencies) and proceed to Assisi. Or you could still go to Orvieto first by train, then rent a car in Orvieto and proceed by car to Assisi.

Posted by David

Huntsville, AL, USA

11/08/13 01:23 PM

8371 posts

Roberto's right on the money with his suggestions.
Look at Rick Steve's Graffiti Wall, Heroic B&B's for great places to stay in the area.

There are some really good B&B's in Orvieto, plus it's a good place for modern accommodations and restaurants.
Booking.com and Trip Advisor can also point you to some good places.
We stayed in Orvieto and dropped our AutoEurope/Hertz car 100 yards from the train station before going into Rome.

Posted by Terri OP

La Pine, Or

11/08/13 06:13 PM

83 posts

Thanks so much for the advice! A couple more questions….Is one day in Orvieto and one day in Assisi enough? I think we want to spend more time in the Chianit area.

Thanks!

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

11/08/13 08:36 PM

32404 posts

Terri,

I concur with Roberto's excellent suggestions. In the same situation, I'd probably stay one night in Orvieto and rent the car when leaving since car rental agencies are so conveniently located. From Orvieto you can drive to Assisi or any other towns you wish.

To answer your last question "Is one day in Orvieto and one day in Assisi enough", with such a short trip some compromises will be necessary so one day will have to do. I'd stay one night in Orvieto and then take a day trip to Assisi.

Happy travels!

Posted by Larry

Carmel, CA, USA

11/08/13 10:57 PM

2456 posts

Just last month, I spent two nights in each of Assisi and Orvieto, and really loved them both. Would have enjoyed spending an additional night in each. Each city has lots to see and do, both in town and nearby, of course a lot of history and very old hill town architecture. Both have some very good restaurants and crafts shops that I found to be a cut above some other well-touristed places. In each, having a car available to explore outside the towns would be helpful but not necessary, and not in the old towns themselves.

There is always that conflict with a trip of limited length, to dig in and explore various towns and areas in more depth, or to cover more places but with less time for each. Aren't we all lucky to have that dilemma, of all the challenges we might face!