Car rental to explore hill towns of central Italy

We did something similar in 2012. I researched all the options and concluded that the best for us was to drive from Tuscany to the Naples airport, return the car, and take the Curreri bus from there to Sorrento. However, "best" hinges on several other factors. We wanted to minimize the number of transfers. We were staying in the countryside somewhere in the vicinity of S. Gimignano, so our trip included the need to get to a car drop-off town. We did not want to try to return the car in Florence and then training; and using the airport added quite a bit more hassle to the whole trip. To drop the car in Sorrento would have increased the cost by hundreds of $$.
Having a car in Tuscany substantially increases your touring choices. We have always had one, but others on this site may suggest itineraries that you could follow, using public transport.

Your plan gets my total approval.

Jacquelyn, my wife and daughter will doing much the same. We've rented a car through Autoeurope (www.autoeurope.co) and they will pick it up a couple of blocks from the Siena train station. Autoeurope is a broker with an U.S. 8xx number. Works great. We wanted to rent near the train station in Siena and drop it off near the train station in Orvieto. Both locations have a Hertz office nearby. We knew that and the car we rented will be from Hertz. Wherever you rent, expect a car with a stick-shift. Even in you rent an automatic, expect a car with a stick-shift. They somehow are not available when you get there. Secondly, I would check on the drop off charges. Usually there are none when you drop off in the same country. At least we've never paid any. Autoeurope can tell you this (in English). For a few of your days in central Italy, you might consider staying a few nights in an agriturismo somewhere in Tuscany. There are tons of them and many can be great finds. My wife and daughter will pick up there car, set up our GPS with European maps and drive directly to the agriturismo where they will be staying. We're pre-programming the GPS now. They will drive all around Tuscany and Umbria and then head for Rome. You would be better off turning in your car in Sorrento. Again, check with Autoeurope on the drop off charges.

Jacquelyn, That's certainly possible, but a couple of other options you could consider..... > Rent the car in Florence, explore Tuscany and then return the car in Florence ( Roberto can provide information on how to avoid the dreaded ZTL areas). Then take one of the high speed trains directly to Napoli Centrale and then transfer to the Circumvesuviana which will take you to Sorrento in about an hour. > Rent the car in Florence and drop in Orvieto. Take the train from there to Napoli Centrale (probably one change at Roma Termini), and again use the Circumvesuviana. Note that each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. so you'll need to take both. You'll also need to be vigilant to avoid the ZTL areas which are becoming increasingly common in many towns in Italy (hefty fines, which you won't know about until several months after you return home). Happy travels!

Great idea to have a car for central Italy, but I don't think I would drive it all the way down to Sorrento. Perhaps end up in Orvieto, and return it there. Then train to Naples (prob. changing in Rome), and then the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Sorrento.

Have you considered training from Florence to Orvieto to use the latter as a base? You can rent a car in Orvieto and then explore. You could return the car in Orvieto, avoiding a different location drop-off fee, and then train to Napoli. Buon viaggio,

There shouldn't be a drop off charge if you are renting and returning in the same country. Clarify that. I rented through AutoEurope, picking up in Orvieto and dropping off at the Florence airport. I didn't pay extra. I would follow Roberto's advice. I am going to PM you with a lodging recommendation.

Naples airport is very EASY to get to!! The Curreri Viaggi bus is your best option to Sorrento.
GREAT planning!!

Thank you all for your suggestions. I am just making my reservations, etc. and I am scheduled to arrive in Venice on 9/20/2013. Having to do this at the last minute is very stressful, so your suggestions are really helpful. I have been able to get rooms in Venice, Cinque Terre, and Florence at this point. Trying to figure out where to go and where to stay from there in the hill towns. Not sure the best plan of action since I do have the 5 nights before I depart for Sorrento. I'll check out the website suggested for the car rental and go from there. Thanks again.

I am trying to figure out where to rent a car to explore the area are Cortona and into Umbria. It appears that there is a Hertz facility in Chiusi at the train station, which is on the main train line from Florence to Rome. So I am planning on getting the car there for 3 days, returning it and getting back on the train to resume my journey. I am going to ask this as a question to others. So you may want to consider this option.

I picked up a Hertz car on Sansovino in Florence, which is 2 miles from the train station (by cab.) They gave me directions out of town without getting close to the ZTL. We stayed in Chianti on an agriturismo (20 mi. south of Florence) and toured the hill top cities. We turned the car in across the street from the Orvieto train station.
Getting to Sorrento is best by train.