Car rental specifics

You can rent in Rome and drop off elsewhere in Italy, and likely without a drop off fee.

With a week in Siena, I would skip Orvieto and do 2 nights in CT to make it worth the bother of going there.

Look carefully at the van's luggage capacity as well as seating capacity.

kathy,

Note that for driving in Italy, each driver listed on the rental form 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 CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which may be provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/transportation-driving/ for more information on I.D.P's and driving in Italy.

Be sure to also do some research on the subject of Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) areas, as hefty fines will result if you pass through these.

Which of the five Cinque Terre towns are you planning to stay in? Having a car there is not useful, as parking is very limited in some of the towns.

As I recall, the only rental office in Orvieto is Hertz.

First of all, re-read Ken’s reply. VERY good and important advice. To find a vehicle, I’d suggest trying AutoEurope or Kemwel websites that will give you options. Your credit card insurance won’t cover auto insurance in Italy and I’d suggest choosing a zero deductible option for whatever vehicle you choose. For the hassle of a one night stay and how crowded it will be, I’d consider dropping the CT. Since you’re going to Sorrento, add a day and take a tour of the Amalfi Coast.

Add a night to Orvieto and drive to Sorrento, returning the car there. Taking the train, you’d have to go to Naples and then change to the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. 6 people taking at least 2 but most likely 3 different trains. And most likely car will be faster and less expensive. Depending on circumstance and schedule, you might even keep the car in Sorrento for the return to Rome. But if you want to visit the Amalfi Coast DO NOT DRIVE! At that time of year, it slow, crowded and dangerous. Take a tour instead. If you have Rick’s Italy guide, he describes various ways of seeing the Coast from public buses to shared trips with Mondo Tours.

Thanks for the input.Yes,with six of us the train fares might be higher than renting a van.Thought about keeping the car and after Sorrento taking it back to Rome airport and then taking train to Rome for our last few nights.Yes,we know about the International drivers license.Plan on taking the bus from Sorrento up the Amalfi coast for a day trip.

Also easier to return car in Rome rather than FCO. Most car rental companies have offices near Termini and it’s not a bad drive to get there there from the Autostrade. Before driving to the airport check where you can drop car in the city. But watch out for the ZTL’s.

I don’t know how many adult drivers there are in your party of 6, but I just wanted to let you know that renting a van costs as much as renting 3 economy cars. Sometimes, if there are multiple drivers, I suggest to rent 2 economy vehicles, which provide also more flexibility in case some in the party want to do something different. Two small vehicles also provide more trunk space than one van and are easier to maneuver in the ancient Italian streets and roads, some of which are very narrow and not easy (or even impossible) to negotiate with a van.

Unfortunately only one driver as grandson is 24 so unable to be second driver and Grandpa is 74 so same situation ( at least that is what we have been told )

Drivers under the age of 25, can drive in Italy,but there's a surcharge. I'd call auto europe to see what that might be.
Even with a surcharge,it may be as Roberto suggested, less to rent 2 cars versus a van.