go to Rome, but not drive in Rome

You could stay by Fiumincino or Lido de Ostia. Right on sea, I haven't been, I hear it's a popular beach with the locals, but that it isn't all that wonderful swimming-wise. Ostia Antica would be nearby as well, a site I had hoped to visit while there. To get into town, Lido de Ostia and Ostia Antica have train service.

Make sure your rental company allows you to take a vehicle into Italy. Some do not.

Why pay for a rental car while you're in Rome if you're not going to be using it? Have you considered dropping off the car when you get to Rome and then stay in Rome proper? Then you can rent another car when you're ready to leave. One of the great things in Rome is being able to wander around in the evening, without worrying about catching a train back to your hotel. Good luck.

You could drop off the car and then take a train into Rome saving a lot of money and avoiding a headache. Otherwise, you will be paying the daily rate plus parking. Additionally, staying in Rome has its own reward. Buon viaggio,

Thanks, that is exactly out thoughts, just really have no idea where to drop car off. Buon viaggio,

Make sure your rental company allows you to take a vehicle into Italy. Some do not. That is good advice - the car we have rented is not allowed in Albania and Kosovo, and we plan on going on towards Croatia Hungary and others We are allowed in Italy... thanks

Why pay for a rental car while you're in Rome if you're not going to be using it? Have you considered dropping off the car when you get to Rome and then stay in Rome proper? Then you can rent another car when you're ready to leave. One of the great things in Rome is being able to wander around in the evening, without worrying about catching a train back to your hotel. Good luck. Hi, thanks for your thoughts. We have actually leased a car for 7 weeks. We were wanting to spend only 3-4 days in Rome.
Agreed - would love to just wander about Rome - will keep trying

Consider long term parking at the airport. (rome-airport.info) click.. facilities. For pricing. click..contact
Then train into Rome on the Leonardo Express

Where are you coming from??? Some rental car companies don't allow you to bring the car into Italy. Besides the drivers are crazy. Wr rode in a taxi and I was fearing for my life. The Vespas swerved between the cars to get in front to the stop lights and there were 5 car lanes but only had 3 lanes in the road. Also you have to by a sticker to get into another country. So if you are coming from a different country, leave it at the train station and take the train to Rome.

You could stay by Fiumincino or Lido de Ostia. Right on sea, I haven't been, I hear it's a popular beach with the locals, but that it isn't all that wonderful swimming-wise. Ostia Antica would be nearby as well, a site I had hoped to visit while there. To get into town, Lido de Ostia and Ostia Antica have train service. Thanks checked this out It is 21 miles from Fiumincio to Rome and 16.23 miles from Ostia Antica to Rome. It takes 45 minutes by train go to Ostia Antica!!! and as per Rick Steeves it is an Euro each way which is a pretty great price! Certainly not as the crow flies! It does sound wonderful If train ride was shorter, we would certainly consider this. Thanks again

I think what has been suggested is that you leave your car overnight outside of Rome for three days, while you stay in Rome. So, drop car off at airport, Lido de Ostia, or Ostia Antica, come into town and spend the nights in a hotel in the city, and then go back to your car after the three days. So, you are not going back and forth and your car is safety in a garage waiting for you when you are done with Rome. No need to go back and forth every day.

Consider long term parking at the airport. (rome-airport.info) click.. facilities. For pricing. click..contact
Then train into Rome on the Leonardo Express Thank you - never thought of that and will probably do that also someone suggested parking at train station great ideas

Where are you coming from??? Some rental car companies don't allow you to bring the car into Italy. Besides the drivers are crazy. Wr rode in a taxi and I was fearing for my life. The Vespas swerved between the cars to get in front to the stop lights and there were 5 car lanes but only had 3 lanes in the road. Also you have to by a sticker to get into another country. So if you are coming from a different country, leave it at the train station and take the train to Rome. We are coming from France Our daughter 'also feared for her life while in a taxi in Rome' That is a great idea - that or leave at airport! I am sure that is what we will do
We do have have research to do about getting sticker/passes when entering other countries. thanks

Consider long term parking at the airport. (rome-airport.info) click.. facilities. For pricing. click..contact
Then train into Rome on the Leonardo Express Thank you I am quickly learning that is the best thing to do/also it was suggested at the train station.

I think what has been suggested is that you leave your car overnight outside of Rome for three days, while you stay in Rome. So, drop car off at airport, Lido de Ostia, or Ostia Antica, come into town and spend the nights in a hotel in the city, and then go back to your car after the three days. So, you are not going back and forth and your car is safety in a garage waiting for you when you are done with Rome. No need to go back and forth every day. Thanks a lot Think you are right/ that is what is being suggested and am sure that is exactly what we will d!

Frascati is a wonderful town just outside Rome. We have driven there, stayed at the Hotel Flora and the train station is within easy walking distance from this hotel. The train ride was about 1/2 hour. The town of Frascati is nice for eating, strolling and shopping too.

Ciao Pat - Many thoughts come to mind as I read your original posts and the suggestions. First, I would also look at, "Can you afford to drive a car from Paris to Rome?" I ask that because I looked to do your same route in-reverse a few years ago. The return fees in Paris, from reputable car rental vendors, were $500 - $800. Ouch - so I'd certainly investigate the drop-off fees in another country. Where to Stay? If it was my first trip to Rome, I'd stay downtown. If not in the central area, then certainly close enough to be able to walk or ride easily to the center, perhaps like the Prati area. There is no substitute for being able to walk through Rome after dinner. You're missing out if you stay outside the city and commute. Save that for your 2nd or 3rd trip! In addition, April is not the best time to stay at Ostia or Fiumicino beaches. I'd stay in-town. If you need to keep the car, you can get into certain parts of town without too much difficulty. Again, I'd say Prati - and I'm biased because I've lived there for three years - but you could come down the A1, jump on the GRA (loop road around Rome, A90), and then get off at Via Aurelia and be near the Vatican in 10 minutes. I say this because there are a few parking garages in the area - and you'll need a place to park. Rather than deal with commuting to the airport, look at parking garages in-town. Read this post, Parking in Rome. It can give you more than 250 parking options in the city. Another reason I suggest Prati is to avoid the ZTL's. Driving in Rome is challenging, and these make it tougher. Read this post, ZTL's in Rome, to gather more information on ZTL's and how to avoid them.

You could stay near Rebibbia metro on the east side, or on the Via Cassia (La Giustiana station) on the west side and ride the metro , commuter trains, or buses into town. There are parking options at both the metro and train stations. But you're easily looking at adding 25-60 minutes to your daily commute. You also have to consider that the commuter trains come every 15 minutes and on Sundays, every 30 minutes... and you have to add that time on. Really, you're getting a suburbia experience and not a Roma experience. Again, for a first-timer, I'd suggest you stay in-town. As far as parking at the airport, why not just turn the car in? If you still need it - and you plan on riding the Leonardo Express to drop off/pick up your car - you're looking at €14 each way, per person. For a couple, that's €56 – or easily a couple of nights (or more) of parking costs in a garage. If you park in-town, your transportation costs, even a taxi to the garage would probably cost you less. Perhaps you could ride the Bus or Metro systems to your garage. Or, if you stay near the garage, just walk! Some in-town hotels do feature parking but the costs are usually excessive. Not sure I'd go that route – unless convenience outweighs costs for you. If you plan out your route, know where you're going, and take the most direct approach, then getting to an in-town parking garage is not as difficult as many believe. One last option is to just to park on the street. If you can a parking space that is white-lined (Good Luck), your parking is FREE! I'd certainly leave my car and not move it if I found a white-lined space. Good Luck!

I would check the rates of parking at both the airport and multiple train station and bus stations. I don't know how it is in Italy, but I have found that in the USA parking at the airport is about the most expensive place to park. Train and bus stations particularly suburban ones are more reasonable but sometimes don't allow overnight parking.

Another thought....does the car rental company have an office near Rome? While having two one way drop offs and pick up probably would cost more than the savings of a few less days of renting the car....the rental company might let you park the car on their lot for free or a very reduced rate.

Frascati is a wonderful town just outside Rome. We have driven there, stayed at the Hotel Flora and the train station is within easy walking distance from this hotel. The train ride was about 1/2 hour. The town of Frascati is nice for eating, strolling and shopping too. Thanks for your suggestion. My husband is now checking places on ringroad, close to Metro, but supposed easy to park car. take care

Ciao Pat - Many thoughts come to mind as I read your original posts and the suggestions. Ciao Ron from Rome, now Copenhagen and then??? It can be quite difficult for me to realize that Europeans can go 'short distances' and be in a totally different country Thank you for your many detailed suggestions and ideas. We actually have leased a car for 4 of us for 7 weeks. This will be our 3rd time doing this - and it was great each time so far. In London and in Portugual. My husband is checking out Prati as I type/also the 2 great web sites you sent. Yes, for sure, agreed even from here - we want to spend minimal time travelling on metro, and more time enjoying Rome.
Good luck on your next move pat

would check the rates of parking at both the airport and multiple train station and bus stations. I don't know how it is in Italy, but I have found that in the USA parking at the airport is about the most expensive place to park. Train and bus stations particularly suburban ones are more reasonable but sometimes don't allow overnight parking. Hello Ed. Thank you for your suggestions. Parking here at our airport can be expensive too. Along the way, we may very well park at train/bus stations.
We actually contacted the agency from where we leased our vehicle, and no - that is not possible - as they said they do not have any room! take care pat