Need suggestions for location to rent car in Tuscany

Posted by Kathy (Houston, TX) on 09/12/15 02:26 AM

I would appreciate any suggestions for locations to pick up and drop off a rental car for our time in Tuscany. I am thinking that it would be best to get the car somewhere as we are leaving Assisi and drop off somewhere before Florence. Our itinerary is as follows:

Rome 3 nights - Exe Hotel della Torre Argentina
Assisi 2 nights - Hotel Pallotta
Pienza 2 nights - Agriturismo II Marchione
Florence 2 nights - First of Florence
Cinque Terre 2 nights - Hotel Villa Steno
Lake Como - 2 nights - Albergo Milano
Milan - 1 night - First Hotel Malpensa

Thanks for your suggestions!

Kathy

Posted by Bob

Coquitlam

09/12/15 02:36 AM

238 posts

Unlike many I believe driving a car in Italy is not a huge challenge. So I would pick up a car in Rome and drive it for you trip in Tuscany. The location will depend on the rental company you use, but when we did a similar trip we picked up our car in northern Rome, outside of the travel restricted zone.

I avoid toll roads, which means the trip takes longer; however that is a personal preference. Parking in Assissi may be challenging, however we stayed outside and drove to Assissi and parked at the edge of town. Check with your hotel about parking.

I strongly recommend a GPS; purchase one at home. Life is easier with one.

Accept that there are costs and "hassles" with a car, but there are benefits. Freedom to leave and go as you choose; luggage is easier to transport.

Enjoy your trip.

Posted by Galen

Dallas, United States

09/12/15 02:50 AM

707 posts

Re the GPS. Auto Europe has had specials which include a GPS--they ship it to you, you carry it to Europe and use it, bring it home, and make a return shipment. We've done that twice and its worked slick.

Also, instead of dropping off the car before Florence, why not drop it off in Florence? We used Europcar and they had an agent on the south edge of the city. Got rid of the car and used a taxi to our hotel. Easy.

Have a great trip.

Posted by Kathy OP

Houston, TX

09/12/15 03:20 AM

116 posts

Thanks for your suggestions!

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

09/12/15 03:21 AM

16243 posts

Pick up in Rome. Use the car for Assisi and Pienza. Return in Florence. No other choice really. There is no rental office in Assisi you would need to take a taxi to the Perugia airport

Posted by rlb

09/12/15 11:11 PM

1 posts

I agree that driving is not problem. I have picked up cars from Hertz in Florence and will do so again. If you try to pick up in town near the train station on a Saturday, however, plan for a very long wait (e.g., 2 hours). Next month we're getting ours at the airport, which should be just a 15-minute cab ride from the train station.