Car Rental in Orvieto, Italy

Hi Cindy. We reserved a car through AutoEurope and were scheduled to pick it up at the Hertz agency in Orvieto. We arrived at the end of the day to pick up our car and were told that there was no reservation for us. I believe the problem was with AutoEurope but unforunately the Hertz office in Orvieto is fairly small and did not have a large inventory of cars, so they did not have any extra cars available (we had to take a train to Siena and then pick up a car the next afternoon). The point is that if you arrive much later than your reservation time they may not have a car for you based on their limited inventory. You should e-mail the Hertz office in Oriveto & ask though. Here is their e-mail address: [email protected] Also, based on my experience, I've learned that next time I will re-confirm the reservation directly with the rental agency prior to leaving the U.S. (I re-confirmed with Auto Europe but didn't imagine that there would be a problem with my reservation being transmitted to Hertz).

Not sure on the first part of your question, but if you know you will be late, why not contact Hertz and have them note the reservation? Since it is pre-paid, I doubt they'd do anything. More trouble (expense) if you are late returning it. The agency is very close to the train station. You can take the funiculare up into the city from nearby as well.

Also double-check their opening hours directly with them. I have found that the hours listed online (Hertz) or the hours confirmed by the booking agency often don't jibe. I have run into problems both in Italy and Hawaii because of this. Now I assume that small branches do their own thing and I check by a phone call ahead of time, and try to confirm an appointment for the pick-up. Same with the drop-off. I was once even given the manager's cell-phone number by doing it this way.

Cindy, One important point to note is that for driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some case is offered at the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information. You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent on many Italian towns & cities. EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW. If you accept the CDW offered by the rental firm, it will be expensive but will provide "peace of mind". Some "premium" credit cards provide rental vehicle insurance, however I've found this to be somewhat complicated so I just accept that offered by the rental firm. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. Happy travels!

Cindy, we ran into this same problem in France. Now we always pick a time that we know we can make, or call ahead. Michelin map, or Google map(or better yet, Google Earth) the rental car location, and then verify your route and distance from your train station, etc.

Our flight lands in Rome at 7:45 a.m., and it looks like it takes about 1 1/2 hours by train from FCO to Orvieto. Our concern is that our flight could be delayed, we don't know how much time to allow for baggage and customs, and we aren't sure how often the trains run from the airport to Orvieto. Thank you all for your great tips and advice.

Lisa: Our flight lands in Rome at 7:45 a.m., and it looks like it takes about 1 1/2 hours by train from FCO to Orvieto. Our concern is that our flight could be delayed, we don't know how much time to allow for baggage and customs, and we aren't sure how often the trains run from the airport to Orvieto. You have to take a train from FCO to Termini, then to Orvieto. The Leonardo Express leaves FCO every 30 minutes at :07 and :37. If you arrive at 7:45 AM on time, it is reasonable that you will be able to take the 9:07. The LE takes 32 minutes. Say you get the 9:07; You are at Termini by 9:39. There are trains to Orvieto 10:36, 10:58, 12:36 and frequently thereafter. It takes an hour to an hour and twenty to get to Orvieto depending on the train. Buy your Roma Termini to Orvieto tickets at FCO when you buy the LE tickets. If you catch the 10:36, you are in Orvieto by 11:42. Maybe reserve for 1300. Worst case is you wait for an hour! If you flight is late, call hertz from FCO and let them know.

I am also picking up a car in Orvieto on Saturday, and tried to schedule for 1pm fearing slow trains, etc. and noted that the office appears to close at noon for the day, so if you are arriving on a weekend, you need to take that into account as well. I have already reserved my train trip thru Trenitalia, though. 9 euros, I think.

Call the Hertz office directly in Orvieto about your problem and seriously consider a Plan B, like booking your first 1 or 2 nights in Orvieto (no Sunday morning car pick-up). Orvieto would be a very pleasant choice for a hilltop town day and a half, overcoming jetlag... Here is contact info I found for the Orvieto branch:
Tel: 39 (0)763 301303 ? (to dial: 011-39-763-3013030) E-mail: [email protected] (it may or may not still be good) Don't forget the all-important formal correspondence courtesies whenever writing an Italian business office, as they go very far if you need a favor. I'd explain the timing issue you face and the real possibility of a problem making it in time for your car pick-up. Ask if they can suggest a solution, in case that your flight is delayed into FCO. Good luck!

To clarify, since I was asked and others may wonder... Written communications are much more formal in Italy, starting with the honorific, opening and closing courtesies. I'm not very formal normally and my work colleague laughs when she hears me call it the "blah-blah stuff". Here is an example of it: Buon giorno signore/signora, My name is... you continue in English... Grazie molto e cordiali saludos, Best regards, Mrs./Ms./Mr. Your Name
Your mailing address If you know their name, always put the Sr (signore) or Sra (signora) in front, using either the full name or only the surname, never just the first name. The same goes for your own name, always using Mrs./Ms./Mr. in front. I'm sure that there are other ways to do this, but this is the way that has gotten me the best responses so far.