Help with Tuscan Car Rental

www.autoeurope.com

Consider dropping in Rome at the train station - Termini. It is fairly easy to reach off of the express way.

Train station Tiburtina in Rome even easier. Also highly recommend using autoeurope.com And getting €0 deductible insurance.

Or drop off in Chiusi

Thanks all, next item is....we are traveling to Italy in six weeks. Should we wait to book anything until we hear more about the outbreak? Not sure how long timelines are regarding car rentals, how soon to book in advance...etc.

We will check out autoeurope.com in the meantime!

Any other suggestions?

While I am not prone to being overly concerned, I would only book items that are easily cancelled with full refund or no deposit. Very fluid situation that can change quickly from week to week.

Just noticed your reference to automatic car. You can request an automatic but I don't think the rental company will guarantee an automatic. If that is critical then make sure it is well noted with the rental company. Also I pack a light rubber glove and a gal zip lock bag in case we get a diesel car. Diesel pump handles tend to be oily and smelly if you use a self-service.

I'm also only booking things that are refundable--for good or bad, others that are more leery than you are going to cancel, so chances are you will not have trouble booking later. Booking.com is what I use, and they state which places are refundable at a certain date (mark it on calendar).
I have never had any trouble getting an automatic, even when not picking up from an airport, but I have often had to call (I use Hertz) and request it over the phone, then wait for a confirmation weeks later.

We've always requested/reserved an automatic- we book with autoeurope and if the location does not offer automatic it will indicate that.
With autoeurope you do pay in advance but it is completely refundable and they are quick about it (I just had to cancel a rental with them and refund showed up next day).

If you pick up in Florence- there are several locations-- we used the Sansovino Hertz location first time. We will use the Borgo Ognissanti the next time (near train station).
Search this forum for "car rental Florence" and look for responses from Roberto- he is a Florence native who always gives very clear instructions for where to pick up and how to get out of there avoiding ZTLs.
Be sure to read up on ZTLs, speed cameras, parking/driving in Tuscany and all drivers MUST have an IDP- International Driving Permit- you can get this from your local AAA office about $15-20.

Some advice from our experience- we had an automatic reserved and when we got to the location (Sansovino) there was only 1 automatic left on lot, it was a van and a large one at that- we panicked a bit but took it anyway and it all worked out well. I had done a lot of research on parking at our hotels and parking garages etc so we did not have any issues with that big van.

My advice is to get to the pick up as early as you can to avoid the possibility of all automatics being gone. And no matter where you pick up get clear directions from the agent on how to exit without getting tangled up in ZTLs.

We too use Auto Europe using cars thru Hertz or Europcar.

Unless you are planning on visiting Florence before Castelmuzio, then your better option time wise is to rent in Venice.

We find dropping the car at Roma Tiburtina is easier than Termini. Then an easy 10-15 minute taxi ride to our lodging in Rome.

Your chances of surely getting an automatic rest with the car provider, not AutoEurope as it is dependent on inventory control near the time of rental. Whether you book with AE or directly, definitely choose one of the majors Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt. Avis has advertised that they have the largest fleet of automatics in Italy, and they have a preferred service with speeds up the pick-up and drop-off.

We've only had a problem once, on our first trip to Venice. Since then we have called or had our lodging call the day before to confirm our automatic.