Please sign in to post.

car rental Rome to Florence

Hi all, I know this is a frequent topic, and I’ve gone through a number of past posts to learn from what’s already been shared. Now that I think I have most of the pieces put together, I’d like to confirm that this makes sense and/or get recommendations on what would work better.

We start our trip in Rome and then we’ll be traveling to Val d’Orcia for a few days, and finally on to Florence – so we’ll need a car for the Tuscan countryside part of our trip. We need an automatic so that limits us to the larger rental offices, and I prefer to rent from Hertz.

Here’s what I’m thinking:

Picking up the car in Rome: I don’t particularly want to drive in Rome but based on past posts, it seems relatively easy to pick up a car at the Tiburtina train station and jump on the freeway to get out of Rome. (Please let me know if I’m underestimating the difficulty of that.)

When we head on to Florence, we’ll leave Pienza, likely stop in Greve in Chianti, and then drive to Florence, where we’ll either be staying in the Oltrarno area or across the river near the Ponte Vecchio.

Dropping off in Florence: Based on past advice, it seems like the Hertz location at Via Ambrosoli 30 is the most logical and will allow us to avoid ZTLs. Then we’ll plan to take a taxi to the hotel.

Is this the best plan? Other suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Posted by
238 posts

I would avoid driving in Rome. We picked up our rental car to go to Tuscany in northern Rome. Easier to get out of town, but we nearly got caught in a ZTL in Rome leaving the city. Easy drive; we did not use freeways as we like to explore the back country.

I used a USA company gemut.com to book a car for me. Same price and perhaps they can find convenient location to,pick up and drop off your car.

Posted by
8200 posts

You might check to see if you can pick up an automatic by reserving well ahead from Hertz in Orvieto. For that matter you could return to Orvieto as well, catching the train to Florence there.

Posted by
32396 posts

Betsy,

In researching this topic, I assume you've discovered that each driver listed on the rental form will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit. These are used in conjunction with your home DL so you'll have to pack both. IDP's are easily available at any AAA office for a small fee, and are valid for one year.

On the topic of ZTL areas, even smaller towns have these so you'll have to be vigilant if you drive into any town.

A GPS or a good Map would be prudent.

Posted by
16200 posts

Your plan is good. I presume you should be able to get an automatic at Tiburtina. If not I’m sure they can go and get one at a Termini station (or ask you to pick it up there). The Termini car rental garage is at the Giolitti carpark structure. Directions from there to the freeway ar below.
https://goo.gl/maps/jyHZndLNpnC2

In Florence Via Ambrosoli is a good choice, provided you rent from Hertz and it’s not a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday, when that office is closed.