We are in Rome right now. Our next destination is Orvieto on April 23 (Wed). I already have a car reserved at Hertz (Termini Station). After being here for 4 days and seeing how crazy the traffic is, I'm having second thoughts. Should I get a train instead and rent a car in Orvieto to take Hill Town day trips? We will be in Orvieto a week and the car was just as cheap to rent in Rome and keep a week and then turn in at Orvieto as it was to rent a car for 3 days while in Orvieto. The drivers are good,but very aggressive and I hate to get lost trying to exit the city!
Posted by
Watertown, MA
118 posts
If the price is the same, rent in Orvieto. The train ride is short and inexpensive.
Posted by
Vignola, MO, IT
654 posts
We returned in Orvieto and took train to Rome. We didn't need car in Orvieto just for the hill towns. I would rather take train to Orvieto.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
I would just rent in Orvieto. The train is cheap and easy to use and you won't need to worry about getting out of Rome. I assume everyone who will be driving has their IDP (international driver permit)? It's required along with your license.
Donna
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32202 posts
frank,
I'd also suggest taking the short and inexpensive train ride to Orvieto and rent the car there. It shouldn't be too much of an issue to get your reservation changed from Rome to Orvieto. That will also provide a slight cost benefit, since you can spend a day or two touring Orvieto without car (therefore no charges for rental or parking) and then rent just when you need it.
As mentioned each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. Also, as I recall Orvieto also has Z.T.L. (limited traffic) areas so driving up into the town may result in some expensive tickets. I believe there's parking by the station, so you could leave the car parked there and just take the Funicular up to town.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
When my friend and I rented a car at Roma Termini (over 10 years ago), we were also very worried about getting out of town. But, it turned out to be easy. The rental agent said it was "just a few turns and you're on the highway" and, to our great relief, that turned out to be true.
So, if for some reason you can't change your car pickup to Orvieto, don't worry. Just get directions before leaving the counter (remember, almost everyone picking up a car at Termini wants to get out of Rome as quickly and easily as possible, so the agents should be able to show you the way).
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
I assume that you do still have the option today to switch the rental reservation to pick up in Orvieto and would consider that the easier plan. You can buy the train tickets at the station, no deadline to do so. Although exiting the city may be a fairly straightforward procedure of following signs toward the autoroute, just getting out of town can take an hour.