We are leaving from FCO on October 23 at noon. We need to return a rental car. We'd like to stay outside of Rome and near the airport along the coast within an hour's drive. We'd like recommendations on somewhere to stay with easy airport access. How long should we allow for returning our car and checking in? This forum has been so helpful in planning our trip in October.
Grazie!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23916 posts
Personally I would stay in Rome and drop the car the previous day. In past, dropping a car at the airport has been fairly easy. It is will marked and depends a little bit in how many other cars are checking in. I think 30 minutes is routine. And it is a ten minute walk to the flight check-in. If you are headed home, then it could take another hour or so to get through exit immigration. I would allow an hour and half. It can get pretty busy around noon since this is a frequent time for departing US flights. I would plan on dropping the car around 9am.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
It might be a good idea to turn it in the day before and avoid the incredible stress. Any suggestions from anyone on a place to stay near the airport that isn't as expensive as airport hotels?
Posted by
6152 posts
I have read about people staying in Fiumicino, which sounds like a lovely way to wind down a trip, especially if you like seafood.
Are you coming from north or south?
Posted by
108 posts
My wife and I stayed at Hotel La Scaletta in
Lungomare Paolo Toscanelli 130, 00121 Lido di Ostia, Italy.
It is on the ocean and was a great way to unwind before our flight home after two weeks in Rome, Florence and Venice.
We took a cab in the morning to the airport.
The airport was a ten minute drive .
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16958 posts
Not really a great beach place, and in Fiumicino they are building the future Cruise Port, so right now the shore is a huge construction site. However there are numerous good seafood restaurants in the area. I usually stay at the Airport Hilton, but always return the car the night before (after dinner at Fiumicino town), then I walk to the terminal in the morning. Since your flight is at noon, you could potentially stay somewhere in Fiumicino at a cheaper hotel (the Hilton is very expensive now) and return the car the same morning without too much stress. You need to be at the check in desk 3 hours prior (although it's never that crowded for US inbound flights). The car return takes just minutes, but then it's a 5-10 min walk to the terminal from the parking structure. If you tell me the rental company I'll tell you the path to return it which can be a bit confusing since rental companies use 2 of the 4 huge parking structures.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Grazie for the suggestions. I think we'll stay near the airport and probably return the car in the morning. La Scarletta was fully booked but I will check in that area.