A friend and I will be flying to Rome in early September then continuing on to a villa outside of Volterra/Tuscany for a week in Tuscany (day trips from the villa). We will be in Rome for two nights before continuing on to Tuscany then returning to Rome for two nights before departing Rome. Our delimma is whether to rent a car in Rome and drive to Tuscany (Volterra) or take the train to either Florence or Pisa before renting a car and continuing on to our villa outside of Volterra. Pros and cons we've discussed include time driving Rome to Volterra vs. time and effort needed for train and transfers, difficulty driving in Rome/Florence with ZTL zones, etc. My friend lived and taught school in Italy many years ago. She has experience driving in Italy but it has been more than 25 years since she has visited.
From recent experiences what are your recommendations? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16221 posts
I would definitely rent the car in Rome and return it in Rome.
Taxi from Rome hotel to rental car office of your choice, then 3.5 hours on the road (+pit stops along the way). Then do the reverse when you return.
That is especially true considering your friend has lived (and driven) in Italy before.
I can guarantee you that driving now is not any different than 25 years ago. The roads are more or less unchanged, ZTLs were already there, and so were speed cameras. The only difference is that Italians are more disciplined now, since in 2003 they introduced DL point deductions for traffic violations (1 to 10 points per violation depending on type of infraction), and after 20 points they suspend their license.
Posted by
Victoria, BC, Canada
111 posts
We returned our rental car in Orvieto yesterday after driving through Tuscany and Umbria. We haven't been to Rome yet but from what I've read in the Italy book, driving in Rome is not a good idea. The train takes about an hour to get to Rome. If you do drop off on Orvieto, Hertz and a gas station are right cross the road from the train station.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for the replies! I have been advised by many to get out of Rome before renting a car. Orvieto would be great but Hertz is closed on Sunday in Orvieto (the day we will need to pick up and return the car).
Renting at the airport in Rome will mean airport to hotel transport (at about 60€) x 4. Also the cost of petro and tolls getting from Rome to Tuscany vs cost of train.
What to do????
Hope to hear from others too.
Posted by
11689 posts
You can always use car rentals at FCO if you fear driving out and back to Rome. We picked our car up on a Sunday on Via Veneto and had no problems leaving from Rome. It is easier to drive than to schlep bags on and off trains.
Posted by
Ontario Canada
688 posts
There is a Hertz drop of garage across from the train station in Rome. I think you can rent as well at the train station(check with Hertz). We rented ours in Malpensa airport and drove from Lake Garda all the way to the Amalfi Coast(after Tuscany, Umbria, Venice (left the car for 2 days at the garage at the Mestre train station. Hertz gave us a map on how to get into Rome to drop it off
It was not well marked and was a little daunting. Had to hop out 3 times to get directions - the last direction I asked the man looked at me, the map, his head up in the air then pointed - I was already at my destination just around the corner and then we both laughed. Good fun- however that was back in 2006 with just a Michelin Map - No GPS.
We are going again next year and renting the car at the Rome airport and heading across county to Matera, this time with my trusty Michelin map and probably with our downloaded Garmin as well.
Good travels and if you get a car with GPS and return to Rome you should have no problem.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16221 posts
If it's a Sunday, then the only option is the train station in Rome or the airport.
Since traffic on Sunday in Rome is not bad at all, I would pick up at the station.
Renting from the airport will cost more both in taxi fare and also in airport taxes applied to the rental.
Those who find driving in Rome unbearable, may want to stick to public transportation only. Traffic can be congested anywhere, and localities in Tuscany have their own challenges, such as very narrow streets, and lots of ZTLs.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32401 posts
brenda,
It's important to 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.
Don't drive in either Rome or Florence as both have ZTL areas. Roberto or one of the others can provide information on the best route leaving the rental agency close to Termini, in order to avoid ZTL's.