Chiusi Tuscany Car Rental Conundrum

Liz, Use http://www.trenitalia.com/ you are leaving from Fiumicino Aeroporto
I usually am at the train station at the airport an hour after the flight lands. You should have no problem.

Liz, last year we flew into Rome, and picked up our rental car at the airport and headed North towards Tuscany. We had absolutly NO problem leaving the airport and getting on the freeways; it was a piece of cake. We brought our trusted GPS, and off we went. We were also going to pick up our Auto Europe car at a town North of Rome (Orvieto), but after checking everything out, we decided that we did not want the hassle of trying to make the train connections. We were jet lagged, tired (can't sleep on the plane), and did not want to schlep our luggage thru more connections. We just walked over the overpass to the car rental area, got the car, and headed North.

I'm seeing on a Saturday about a 2 and half hour travel time from FCO to Chiusi. that includes a wait for the connecting train at Termini. If you can catch the 9:37 out of FCO, you would be at Chiusi by 12:06. If you have to wait and catch the 10:07 you won't get to Chiusi until 12:51 which is proably too late. Consider picking up the car in Orvieto instead. It is about 30 minutes closer in travel time. So the 9:37 would get you there at 11:42. The 10:07 would get you to Orvieto at 12:21. Autoeurope's website says the Orvieto train station site stays open until 1 pm on Saturdays. From Orvieto, it is mostly the A1 autostrade to your Chuisi turn off. the other option would be to rent at FCO. You would then have to navigate the ring road around Rome. But you would be on autostrade the entire way.

Liz, In the same situation, I'd probably rent the car at the airport as that avoids the problem with the offices closing early on Saturday (which would probably also be the situation in Orvieto). Traffic hopefully wouldn't be too bad on a Saturday. If your flight is late, it could complicate matters if you're renting a car in smaller towns. As you'll be driving in Italy, some points to mention.... 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 cases are provided by 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 search other Posts here regarding the Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many towns in Italy (especially Florence!). 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!

Hi Liz: Our group is flying into Rome on the same day and we are headed to a farm house we rented near Siena. We decided to rent our car at the airport because it was easier than any other alternative.

Liz, We are taking a train from Naples to Chiusi on the 1st of June. We are renting locally from Autonoleggio Caroti in Chiusi. I found them on the Montepulciano.com website. For 10 euros they have agreed to meet me at the train station with the car and to pick it up on Sunday the 5th for an additional 10 euros. Their website is www.autonoleggiocaroti.it. I have read some reviews that their cars are older, but I really don't care as long as the vehicle runs and gets me there. I like having the service of a local car rental. By the way, it was also significantly cheaper than the "name brand" agencies. Just another option. Mike

Thank you all so much for taking the time to send these really helpful replies. I'm glad we have so much time to put into the decisions. About the gps - we do have one, but have paid for a lifetime of map upgrades, and sure would hate to lose it in Italy. AutoEurope has a rental program I'm considering - $61 would cover the cost of the rental plus loss/damage insurance, tho with a hundred dollar deductible - so I'm weighing the pros and cons of that. (Two couples - 30 dollar - peace of mind - we'll see.) Again - thank you kindly!

Liz, don't worry about lossing your GPS...It will be totally obsolete in three-five years anyway! If it already has the maps of the EU built in......bring it. You don't want to try and figure out a new GPS in a strange country. For total piece of mind we always go to Squaremouth.com, or Insuremytrip, compare a few trip insurance policies, and buy one. For less $120 we completely covered our planned 16 day trip to Spain...and we got EVERYTHING!

Ah - obsolete in three to five years - so true. I will probably be obsolete in three to five years too. This is great advice - thanks for the tips! Liz

After an experience with a "rental" GPS that sent me from JFK into Manhatten at rush hour instead of Connecticut, I vowed that I would never rely a rental GPS ever again. After returning home from that trip, I purchased a GPS and take it with when we travel. I know exactly how to use it and aren't guessing. I really don't know if the GPS I rented was defective or I just didnt' know what I was doing.

Manhattan, huh? Our usually reliable gps set us on a five-mile tractor path full of deep rain-water- filled ruts in Nova Scotia, and refuses to take us over the Tappan Zee without being tricked (what is this preference for the George Washington Bridge, anyway?) but mostly it is great, and never more so than in getting us through cities. In any case, you have both talked me out of renting a gps from autoeurope. I'll take along the one I'm used to and save some energy for my attempts at Italian.