Car rental in Italy

Beware the DREADED ZTL. IDP.

You can go with a consolidator, like Autoeurope.com. They often get better deals than directly with car rental companies. The largest companies operating in Italy are: Maggiore, Europcar, Avis-Budget, Hertz, Sixt. Shop around for the best rates.

I agree with Auto Europe. Just got a great rate with them.

We went from Rome to Florence in at rental car. Nice drive but we didn't get the car until after we left Rome and once in Florence we parked the car until it was time to leave. It worked out well. My major piece of advice is make sure you have a gps! Don't leave home without it. Even though the car companies have have them on request, I always bring my Garmin with the Italy chip. I am familiar with it so it saves me time.

Be very aware of the speed limit and automatic cameras that catch everyone going over it.

Be aware of speed limits, including the blank ones (in absence of other signs): autostrada (highways with green signage): 130 km/h, roads without urban perimeter: 90km/h, urban perimeter: 50km/h. On highways, there is speed enforcement by Tutor: they measure your average speed between two points set 1, 2, 3, 5 or in some cases 10km apart, and ticket you if your average speed is higher than the limit + 3-5%.

I too flew to Rome, got a car and drove directly into the country side. Two weeks and 9 cities later I returned it to the Rome airport. I caught a 13 euro train that took me non-stop to the center of Rome, where I spent my third week. I used budget car rental. I got a Fiat Panda. It had no glory and no guts but I didn't care a bit!. The freeways have tolls. Although the roads threaten speed limits, I was passed as if I was standing still. So, sure I could have done the whole thing by train but I was traveling with my 65 year old mother. I can't imagine her getting on a bus to grab a train, maybe even transfer, then another bus or call and wait for a cab from rural town to rural town, all while she drags around her luggage. The car gave us freedom to stop and use that bathroom, stretch our legs, and get a coffee, all at our own time schedule. It was worth every penny. Later, after two weeks of Italy, we were ready for the Metro and bus system of Rome. I wouldn't have changed a thing.
Don't forget to get an international driver's license.

Currently in Chianti using a rental from Avis. Actually, a second rental. First one blew a tire and we had to go back to Florence and pick up a new rental. They don't have spares, only fix a flat type kits, and we had a huge hole. The customer service was good, they told us we had to pay for a tire, hopefully that is all. But it did waste a full day of experiencing Tuscany. The GPS rented for 14 Euro a day, which made us glad we brought our own with an updated European map. I would say GPS is a must, especially in the hill towns. Also, study up on the ZTL signage...and the road signage in general. It has been years since I drove a stick, and the early hill drive were a little scarey for me, but I seem to have gotten better. Good luck!

Sue: Have you considered flying open jaw into Florence or Venice and out of Rome? Backtracking to your original destination can get expensive, and it's inefficient. We flew into Pisa, took a train into Florence (2 nights). We rented a Hertz car thru AutoEurope.com (p/u Florence) and went to an agriturismo in San Gimignano (4 nights). We later turned the car in at Hertz' Orvieto train station and took the 75 minute train ride into Rome.
At $9.50 per U.S. gallon for gasoline, you've got to take the easiest path of resistance.

To all those who have responded thank you. We are checking to make sure our GSP will work in Italy, have located a car through autoeurope, automatic, but making sure we can drop off in Florence. Will give the tires a thorough going over. Again many thanks. S