I have seen many questions about dropping a car in Orvieto but not this one so I apologize if it has already been answered. My husband and I will be dropping our rental car at Hertz in Orvieto. This location does not open until 8:30am and we need to be on the 9:00 train to Rome in order to check in our hotel and catch a Vatican tour. I was wondering if we would have enough time to drop the car at 8:30 and get the train. I understand the train station is across the street but I am concerned about the Hertz office not opening on time or taking a while to process our return. Our only alternative would be to drop the car the evening before and try to arrange transportation to/from our hotel which is about 3 miles outside Orvieto. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
That's terrible Charlene. That is the exact scenario I am worried about -- either the office opening up late or tbeing so slow that we miss the early train. We are picking up the car in La Spezia -- hopefully they will open on time.
Debbie,
In the same situation, I'd first contact the Hotel you've booked to see if they offer or can arrange a Shuttle to the station. A Taxi would be another option, but pre-booking the previous day would be a really good idea!
Dropping the car the previous evening would probably make things easier, and would be one less thing to worry about on the morning of departure.
Happy travels!
Ken, I tried to contact the hotel but they have not replied yet. I heard the regional trains often run late also so I guess dropping the car the night before would be the best option.
I would recommend that you drop the car the night before. If you have trouble arranging transportation for the morning, you might even spend that last night in Orvieto.
We had an experience at a Hertz office in Bolzano where they opened an hour late with no explanation or apologies! And then we had to wait another hour for our car to arrive (we were picking it up there). A little disconcerting.
Debbie,
When are you taking this trip?
If the Hotel doesn't reply in a day or two, I'd contact a local Taxi firm upon arrival in Orvieto. Have a look at * www.orvietotaxi.it/ENG/ * for one example (cut & paste the link inside the asterisks).
Return the rental car, have the Taxi take you to your Hotel and prearrange a pick-up time for the following morning. Provided they're punctual you shouldn't have any trouble getting to the rail station on time.
While the Taxi fares will add to your travel costs, this might be the most reliable method of getting to the station. I never hesitate to use Taxi's anywhere in Europe if it makes my travels easier.
Cheers!
Thanks for the info Ken. We are not taking the trip until 2011 but I am in the process of nailing down all the details and I love and have a compulsion to be prepared. Plus this is only my second trip to Europe and the first one on my own. My last trip was a Rick Steves tour. I think I am going to leave the car rental for the next morning just in case of any problems but will plan on using a taxi or hotel shuttle and return the car the evening before our departure. The hotel has still not responded to me but I can see by their website that they do offer a paid shuttle to/from Orvieto and with the info you have provided I can compare the taxi vs. hotel shuttle option. Happy Travels!
Thanks for the info Ken. We are not taking the trip until 2011 but I am in the process of nailing down all the details and I love and have a compulsion to be prepared. Plus this is only my second trip to Europe and the first one on my own. My last trip was a Rick Steves tour. I think I am going to leave the car rental for the next morning just in case of any problems but will plan on using a taxi or hotel shuttle and return the car the evening before our departure. The hotel has still not responded to me but I can see by their website that they do offer a paid shuttle to/from Orvieto and with the info you have provided I can compare the taxi vs. hotel shuttle option. Happy Travels!
Ken, just checked the website you suggested -- just what I was looking for. Now at least I know we won't be stranded in Orvieto without a way back to our hotel because all the taxis have left. Best of all I won't have to rely on the Hertz office to open on time. Thanks again.
Debbie,
You're very welcome!
Hi Debbie. We were supposed to pick up our rental car from the Hertz office in Orvieto. I had a question ahead of time & e-mailed them & they were very responsive. You might try e-mailing them & ask whether they'll be able to process you quickly on the morning of your departure. Have a great trip.
Debbie:
We just dropped a car at Hertz in Orvieto on Monday. Very quick! Gas station is across the street so you can fill and then pull into the Hertz "lot" (which is really just a row for 5 or 6 cars to park). They processed us in about two minutes and we were off to the station, a two minute walk away. Easy! You can make your train if you are already ticketed and are at Hertz when they open.
Ciao!
Thanks Sheron, I will do that. I tried to email Hertz a while ago but they replied that I would need to call Italy directly. Do you have a direct email to Orvieto?
Hi Debbie. I found it! The e-mail address for Hertz in Orvieto is: [email protected]
The lady's name is Rita...hopefully she's still there. Good luck.
Thanks so much Sheron.
Perfect, that is what I was hoping. I guess I will check in with them the day before when we arrive to feel them out. I was planning to get a train ticket ahead of time too.