First time in Italy - Rome, to Florence, to Tuscany - 10 days

I know we can take the train back to Rome from Tuscany, but it will take quite a bit of time. Same if we drive back to Florence and drop the car off....and take the train back to Rome.

It takes 1hr 40min between Firenze-Rome via train. Driving the same takes over 3+ hours.

If you're are intent on staying someplace in rural Tuscany...you're better off taking the train to Florence, then renting a car there instead. Vehicle rental in/around Rome is just asking for trouble, not to mention you will spend an inordinate amount of time route-finding, dealing with toll roads, parking and the dreaded ZTL areas.

I would not rent a car in Italy. Too much chance of an expensive ticket.

Agree with previous poster, rent, if you must in Florence. If you are only going to an inn, consider other transport options than a rental car.

Welcome!
Could you share a more specific itinerary?
There are a few places you can drop your car before Rome -Orvieto ( Hertz only) and ChIusi

Where exactly are you staying in Tuscany?
it might just be easier to return car in Florence and take train to Rome. Or it might make more sense to head to Florence on arrival and end your trip with all Rome nights at end ( eliminates 1 night stay/split Rome stay),

We have rented cars and driven in Tuscany several times and find it simply delightful. Just do your homework, make sure all drivers have an IDP, etc

Hi Christine -
We were thinking of renting the car in Florence and driving to our hotel in Tuscany. We can drive back to Florence to drop off the car, but think the train back to Rome will be too long. We would need to get back to Rome the same day as our flight leaves the following day in the morning.

You've said, more than once, that taking the train from Florence to Rome would take too long. But as has been pointed out, the train takes actually half the time that driving does. Plus the train doesn't have to deal with ZTLs, tolls, finding gas stations in Rome, or dealing with the ferocious Rome traffic. You haven't told us where in Tuscany you are staying. If you let us know, we may be able to point you to a place other than Florence to drop the car and get a train.

Presumably you are not in favor of putting all your Rome days at fhe end of the visit because you already have unchangeable accommodation reservations?

I would not rent a car in Italy. Too much chance of an expensive ticket.

Not if you study up on some basic signage, use common sense and obey the law. Have you driven in Tuscany?

We drove from Rome, spent a week driving all over Tuscany and drove back to Rome, with not tickets and no problems. We found ZTLs well marked and easily avoided. We assumed (correctly) that any part of a hill town within the walls is ZTL. On the advice of our agriturismo we took the bus into Florence, though there's a great commuter lot outside the city with frequent shuttles into the city.

We also were aware there's little wiggle room for speeding and observed the speed limits.

Be aware there may be extra fees to rent a car in one location and return it to another. Rent and return in Florence. I also recommend staying at the airport Hilton the night before if you have an early flight. It will remove some of the stress.

I was given incorrect information - sorry about that. Thought the train from Florence to Rome was 3 1/2 hours - but checked and it's much less - which is great!
In Tuscany, we are staying at La Chiusa - and later driving back to Florence to drop the car off. If there is a better place to return the car before we get the train back to Rome, please let me know.
My husband is very excited about Rome, so really wanted it to be the first part of our Italy adventure.

The comparison, time-wise, would be time to drive back to Florence, get to the train station, and take the train to Rome FCO (which they presumably want to stay near for an early morning flight), versus driving to the airport to turn in the car there. Depending on where their Tuscany inn is located, this could be the better choice, and the route should not involve Rome ZTL’s.

If they return the car at the airport, they need not stay at a soulless airport hotel. The nearby seaside town of Fiumicino, 5-10 minutes away, offers a range of lodging options, many of them with airport shuttles. Otherwise a taxi for the 10 minute ride is pretty cheap.

We had booked this nice little boutique hotel for our September trip to Italy, but had to cancel the southern portion (Abruzzo and Campagna). I would like to stay there another time, when we would be flying out from Rome.

https://castrichella.it/

Is this where you are staying?
https://lachiusatuscany.com/

If so you are very close to Chiusi which is a very good place to drop your car. It’s right on the train line

Let me know if that inn is correct and I’ll give more car pick up/drop off advice

Just a clarification
Tuscany is a very large region, not a town

You really must be IN Rome the night before your departure flight
What time is your flight?
You don’t necessarily need to stay at or near the airport on this final night

Christine - yes, that is correct. Very excited, actually!
Great - any thoughts would be appreciated.

Christine - I keep referring to Tuscany that way - but realize it's an area of Italy, not a town/city. Sorry about that!

It’s ok Janice

Oh my that resort looks fabulous!

Do you want more advice on car pick up/drop off?

I’m assuming you hy10 NIGHTS in Italy— is that correct?

Itinerary something like this?
Rome 3 nights
Florence 3 nights
Montefollonico-La Chiusa w/car 3 nights
Rome 1 night

10 days doesn't go as far as we thought -
Rome - Arrive in morning of 9/29 (3 days)
Florence - 10/3 approx. 2 21/2 days
LaChiusa, Tuscany - 10/5 - 10/7
Flight leaves the morning of 10/8

Definitely appreciate your suggestions!

If your flight home from FCO is the morning of the 8th, then you really have to be in Rome or Fiumicino the evening of the 7th.
When calculating your time in places, it's usually better to count nights, not days.

You have 9 nights

Suggestion:
Rome 3 nights
Florence 2 nights
La Chiusa 3 nights
Rome 1 night

This is why heading to Florence on arrival allows better use of your time
I do understand your husband’s excitement about doing Rome first- LOVE Rome, it’s our favorite European city

In that scenario:
Florence 3
La Chiusa 3
Rome 3

One less location change
Each change will take up at least half a day

A 3 night stay means 2.5 days to sight see in that location

Are your accommodations already booked? If so, are they changeable or are you amenable to changes?
Any possibility of adding a night or 2?

Wish we could add on, but this trip is a gift from our daughter and son-in-law. They already added a day, so don't want to do anything further in that regard.
Modified -
3 nights - Rome
2 nights - Florence
2 nights - Tuscany
1 night - Rome
Then home :-)

Actually -
Including the arrival day (night) - it's 4 nights in Rome.

Did you have a suggestion for car drop off near LaChiusa?

Did a very similar trip last year!

Avis-Budget in Chiusi worked well for us for the car rental, short and flat walk from the station to the agency. We stayed near Montepulciano and the drive is pretty straightforward. Just be aware the agency is closed for several hours midday.

I considered all the options for car rentals and originally planned to drive back to FCO and drop the car there. But the distance combined with the risk of missing the flight made me reconsider and we spent our final night in central Rome instead.

We always book our cars with www.AutoEurope.com. A US based consolidator with excellent service, great rates.
Always get the Full Insurance- Zero Deductible.
They are extremely knowledgeable and helpful so you can always call them toll free.

Pick up your car as you leave Florence- the agencies are near the train station-
Choose Florence- All Locations
As mentioned above the Avis/Budget agency is in Chiusi so choose Avis/Budget in Florence.
Drop off at Chiusi Rail Station.
Be sure to indicate Automatic or Manual.
Agencies will
close mid day 12ish to 4 ish. And they close at 12 ish in Saturday, closed on Sunday.

I think you are good as far as open/close days- looks like you will pick up on Saturday, drop off on Monday?

Check the train schedules here- Sept schedule won'tbe up til a few more weeks but it won’t be much different from what you see now on same day of week
https://www.trenitalia.com/content/tcom/en.html

Stations are:
Roma Termini
Firenze SM Novella
Chiusi-Chianciamo Terme

Or you can return car in Florence then catch a fast train to Rome.

Here are directions for driving in/out of Florence and avoiding ZTLs- thanks to Roberto:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/picking-up-a-car-in-florence-to-drive-thru-tuscany

All drivers must have an IDP- International Driving Permit which you get at your local AAA about $25.
Don't forget to also bring along your US driver's license- you'll need to show both for the rental.

I would book a hotel in Rome for your last night, You should be able to get to Rome not much past noon so you've got almost a full day and that last evening.
Stay wherever you like in the Centro Storico and enjoy that last night!
It is an easy taxi ride to FCO in the am- less than an hour and fixed rate 50 euros. If your flight is 9 am for example- be in a taxi about 5:30/5:45 and you'll be good.

It might be easiest to return the car at Rome airport (FCO) cuz it has longer opening hours than the other location s mentioned. Then just stay at or near the airport to make it easy to reach their flight.

Great suggestions - thanks so much! Appreciate all the varied recommendations.

So many good ideas - not sure what would be the simpliest....dropping car off near Chiusi train station; or Florence; Rome or Rome airport (and staying somewhere nearby). I know all will workout, but looking for the best way to move forward.

Drop off in Chiusi- short drive from your lodging, can easily get there before closing time, train right there allows you to get to Rome at a decent time and have a good portion of last day in Rome.
(I believe you will need to make a train change from Chiusi- Tiburtina to Termini or something like that. (So it's a bit more than just a direct fast train -no changes- from Florence)
There are not as many trains to choose from so you will have to be careful with your time here.

Drop off in Florence- will take you about 2-2.5 hours, probably along same route you took to get to La Chiusa. Can rent from any agency you like as not limited to Avis/Budget. Will need to check mid day closing times on all and be sure to get there in time. Train right there- fast ride back to Florence. Will have to navigate getting both IN and Out of Florence avoiding ZTLs.

Drop off Rome- FCO
Can leave La Chiusa at any time, take your time getting to FCO can avoid autostrada for a good portion and see more country side- getting more use out of your car rental.
Airport agencies have much later open hours with no mid day closings.
Drop off at airport is easy shuttle back to terminal then public transport or taxi to your lodging for the night.
In this scenario just be careful with leaving luggage in the car if you make stops along the way.
(Could stop in Orvieto for example and see that gorgeous town)

Drop off in Rome- Termini or Tiburtina
Still need to check mid day closing time and either get there before they close or take your time and get there after they reopen. Have to navigate traffic in and around Rome.

Another option is dropping at the other airport Ciampino
It might be less expensive than drop off at FCO
Closer to Rome, taxi to Rome is less- I think fixed rate 30 euros

There are some direct trains from Chiusi to Roma Termini; not every hour, however. There is usually a 13:01 (1:01pm) departure arriving Termini 14:48 (2:48pm).

Per Google Maps Avis-Budget is closed 12:45-3:45pm and all day Sunday. If you aim to drop off at 12:00 to give yourself a buffer and get lunch, you’re in Rome in time to check in to your hotel.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Christine - looks like I had my arrival date off by one day.
We're arriving on September 28th instead of the 29th.
Thinking about something like this! Or maybe 4 nights in Rome?

Rome - 3 nights
Florence - 3 nights
Tuscany area - 2-3 nights
Rome - 1 night

Thanks for all your input!
Jan

Jan-

Oh extra nights are always good! So now you have 10 nights- correct?

I think at this point only you and your husband can figure out how to allot your days.
Make a list of all the things you want to see/do in both Rome and Florence.
Then prioritize. You won’t be able to do/see it all.
Check open/closed days. (Ex- Vatican closed on Sunday, Borghese is closed on Monday- IMO this museum is a must. You are in Rome on a Sunday and Monday).

Don’t overload your days and be very honest about how long things might take.

Your first day in Rome is a jet lag day. Everyone handles jet lag differently- do you know how you will do that day? We need a nap. Others power thru. Either way choose a lower priority venue this day…just in case.
Because of this a 3 night stay in Rome at start means 2.5 days- that .5 day being your jet lag day. So 4 nights at start might work better for you. Rome is a busy hectic place. You might want to escape after just 3 nights. Lots of thing to consider!

I would only schedule one major venue per day- ex- Colosseum/Forum/Palatine will take a really full 2/3 day- (at least they did for us each time we have visited) and it was an exhausting day at that. Don’t add anything more that day than maybe wandering neighborhoods, visiting churches, sitting in a piazza enjoying apertivo.

You will need tickets booked in advance for all the major venues. Is that something YOU want to deal with- getting up in the middle of the night to book Colosseum tix when they become available on Rome time? Or do you want a guided tour- simplifies it a bit- they take care of the tickets. We did a guided tour with Walks of Italy on our first visit and glad we diid, Subsequent visits we’ve gone DIY or used RS guide.

Same for Florence. You could spend a month there and probably still not see every museum. Prioritize. One big museum each day would be plenty for me. There are lots of “smaller” venues just as interesting, historic and important. I can tell you our favorites but your interests might be completely different.
Do you want to try to add a day trip from Florence? Both Siena and Pisa are easily done. I’d give Florence 3 nights if this is your plan- that leaves you 1.5 days actually sightseeing IN Florence and 1 full day for the day trip.

Tuscany- I would probably say since you are getting a car- get the car for as long as you can and get good use of it. So 3 nights there allows you to spend a good amount of time tooling around the countryside. (If you want to wine taste be sure you have a designated driver). But the resort you are staying at has so many activities to choose from you might not care to spend that much time away from the resort.

Whatever you do: slot in time each day for gelato and time each evening for apertivo- just sit and enjoy the ambience in the beautiful piazzas.

If you don't have an Italy Guide yet- you can use these lists as a starting point to choose/prioritize what you'd like to see/do
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/rome
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/florence
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/tuscan-hill-towns

Feel free to post what you come up with as a daily itinerary- maybe start a new thread?

Thank you so very much, Christine!

Many posters here on this forum have posted about getting expensive tickets from driving a rental car in Italy.
I remember one poster was ticketed for going one KPH over the speed limit.

I did a similar trip a few months ago and I'm a nervous driver, especially in a different country, so I rented a car through AutoEurope with pick up and drop off in Chiusi. It's a small town, had light traffic and was easy to navigate. The rental place is just a few minutes walk from the train station. Oh, and if you do get a car through AutoEurope, be sure to check prices once in a while after reserving it, since if they go down, it's an easy phone call to have them adjust the price.

I agree with Christine that it's probably best to have a hotel in Rome the night before flying out. I was once on a train coming from Varenna to Milan and something broke on the track up ahead. It took several changes of train and metros and a few extra hours to get to Milan. Thank goodness for the kindness of Italians or I might still be sitting in a small town with a name that starts with the letter M trying to figure out how to get to Milan!