I will have a car from Hertz for several days in Tuscany, staying outside Siena. My plan was to drive to Orvieto and spend the day there on my last day with a car, turning in the car in the late afternoon at Orvieto and taking the train from there to Rome. Looking at train schedules, I realized it might make more sense to turn in my car in Siena and take the train from there, storing my bags at the Orvieto train station for the day, and then continuing on another train from Orvieto to Rome in the late afternoon - why spend 2 hours driving to Orvieto when I can just ride a train instead? My question is, how long does it take to return a rental car in Italy? Is it as simple as returning a rental car in the US? I don't want to be rushed and miss my train to Orvieto.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I would drive to Orvieto because:
- Scenic drives are one reason you rented the car.
- If you want to stop at Civita di Bagnoregio on the way, that's easier with a car.
- The train from Siena to Orvieto is not direct. It requires a connection and also takes 2 hours or more.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16240 posts
I'll add another point to Laura's.
- There is no luggage storage at the Orvieto station (and I don't know if there would be other places nearby to store it).
Posted by
Seattle, Washington, USA
105 posts
My return times a a little longer in Italy, but not much when using Hertz. Pickup is longer, but unless you have a problem with the car, returns at airports are about the same (tho they don't email me my bill). I would return the car at FCO.
Posted by
Alexandria, VA
771 posts
While I agree that turning the car in at Orvieto would make sense, a few things from our experience last year: There is a large parking lot at the train station / funicular base, where you will probably find a spot even if you have to wait a few minutes (and of course people park every which way.) When you are done touring, the parking in front of the Hertz office is very limited--maybe 5-6 cars. My husband waited in the BP gas station across the street while I went in the office. There was a long line of people waiting to rent. I asked where to put the car for return and someone came out, looked at the car, and said "it's fine. Go on." We didn't get a receipt, but since it took us a little while to find the office anyway, we didn't want to miss the train, so we left. Several weeks later we got a receipt in the mail. Since it was all in Italian, I called the number on it and got an English speaking person who explained that all was well.
Posted by
east haven, ct
365 posts
Steve,
I would just continue and drive to Rome. I picked up a vehicle in Venice drove throughout Tuscany then ended in Rome. There is a large rental return at the parking garage next to Termini Station. I returned my car on a Sunday when the rental companies were closed. To cover myself I took pictures of the vehicle in the parking garage as insurance. There is a drop box where I put the Keys and a copy of the paperwork. It was a flawless transaction.
Have a great trip.
Lorieann