Easy car pickup out of Rome on way to Pompeii

Between Rome and Pompeii is Naples and I wouldn't drive there, either. So maybe pick up from either the Rome airport or the Naples airport.

Can you pick up a rental car in Pompei town? If so, take the trains from Rome to Pompeii and then pick up the car after your visit. If you want to pick it up near Rome, Ciampino airport is less expensive to get to than Fiumicino and more on your way to Naples and Pompeii. Ciampino is south of Rome just outside the ring freeway and near the A-2 to Naples.

The reverse of your trip: We just drove from Pompeii to Rome. We dropped our car at the Villa Borghese in the parking lot. We were in a Eurocar and there was a Hertz there.
We took a taxi from the Borghese to the Termini area. It cost about 20 Euro with 2 bags.
There was little Rome traffic on Sunday morning. The Borghese is not in Rome center, but north. Pompeii has huge parking lots and lots of chaos and traffic. We also spent the night in Pompeii. If that night happens to be a Saturday, the whole town comes out for a spin around the square. It was a sight to see!

Thank you all. I think with luggage (as we will check out of Rome hotel on way to Pompeii) we would prefer to pick up car close to Rome, and our hotel is actually near Borghese, so that may work if they have a pick up there also. Not going to July so any advice out there will be taken into consideration. We will pick it up on a Wed. so there will be traffic issues.

Make sure the car has a GPS and you should be fine. Avoid driving through Naples on the way to Pompeii.

If I read your posting correctly, you are going Rome to Pompeii, then back to Abruzzo, and on to Tuscany? If so, why not ride the train to Naples/Pompeii and then back to Rome and pick up you car at a train station? Hertz, Avis, EuropeCar, etc have many locations near stations. Check their websites!

I live here in Rome and drive a motorino and you're right... it's "Russian Roulette on Wheels" on some days! But as a visitor, if you plan your route, have a good GPS, and stick to the main roads/highways Rome is far easier than Naples! The GRA is the "circle road" around Rome and if you get to that it's like driving on a interstate in the States.

But if YOU DO drive to Pompeii, bypass Naples (world's worst drivers!) and head to Sorrento and Positano - one of the best "drives" in Europe. The coastline is incredible. When my wife and I go we take turns driving so they other can "sightsee!."

OK, I'll definitely get GPS, and totally avoid Naples. But must see Pompeii and get to Abruzzo same day after checking out of Rome. Crazy, but must be done, either with public transport part of the way or all the way to Pompeii. Must have car to get to Abruzzo. Should I get car in Pompeii area?
I also would LOVE to drive Sorrento, Almalfi etc. but had to draw the line somewhere and this area was axed until next time, as I will definitely throw a coin into Trevi...

Lisa - What part of Abruzzo are you visiting? It is a long haul from Pompeii unless you are going to the western edge. This sounds like a very long day! Get an early start, and get your car near the autostrada so you have an easy entry.

Thanks Sally. I am going to Palena. Visiting my first friend from Kindergarten! I keep forgetting that we will have all luggage from Rome, so may need to bite the bullet and get car in Rome before heading to Pompeii. We are going to Pompeii as early as we can get there, and leaving as soon as we can for Palena. A crazy day but will try to keep positive as days in Palena will slow us down before Florence! a good buffer between Rome and Florence.

Lisa - have a fabulous trip and enjoy your friend!!!! You will have a great experience.

We rent a car frequently in Rome...we never drive In Rome :-) (not Naples for that matter)I always find FCO airport to be the best and easiest option...simple to get to from Termini...REALLY easy to get on the autostrada and head south...and...the prices always seem to be much better than picking up elsewhere.

We are having a Sixt rental minivan delivered to our hotel (nominal extra charge) the morning that we are leaving Rome.

Lisa, driving INTO Rome is not for the faint of heart, but driving OUT of Rome isn't that bad...especially if you leave on a weekend, or after the morning rush. The key is to plot your route in advance and someone navigates while the other person drives. In September, after 3 days in Rome, we picked up an Avis car about 1/2 mile from our hotel on the Via Cavour, and within 15 minutes we were out of Rome and on the highway to Pompeii. We did the same the year before in Paris, and the year before in Lisbon. It's really not a big deal.