Renting a car in Rome

See your TA post--some responses already. Short answer: we need more info.

We rented a car a the Triburtina rail station. We took a bus to the station from the historical district. It was easy to get the to the highway out of Rome from there. We found the car via Autoeurope.com. You definitely don’t want a car when in Rome due to the extensice ZTLS (restricted parking zones). Also, you do not need a car to get to the main sites. Walking, buses, trams and the metro will get you everywhere you want to go.

Yep, more info would be helpful but if he's thinking of using this car to get around central Rome, I'll say absolutely NOT to rent it until after your 4-day stay. A car will be nothing but a useless, expensive PITA in the city. Public transit, your own two feet (highly recommended) and maybe the occasional cab ride are the best ways to get around Rome. There are too many places you won't be allowed to drive/park the thing.

Restricted driving zones apply to other cities/towns in Italy as well - such as Sorrento, if headed that way - so if he hasn't read up on ZTLs yet, that's a must if intending to rent a car in Italy.

Editing to add... You don't mention what time of year this trip will be but a car can present some navigation/parking headaches as well on the Amalfi Coast during high season.

For your 4 days in Rome a rental car is as useful as a brick to a drowning person.

Rent car when ready to leave Rome. No reason to pay the daily rate AND parking for something you will not be using

Given that renting cars at the airport have additional fees that in city locations do not have, you would be money ahead to rent form a location in Rome. When you are searching your car rental site just select a 'city' location to see what is close to wherever you are staying.

We rented a car in Rome last fall as we were leaving the city to drive to the Val d'Orcia area. (I echo all the other advice that you do not need or want a car during your days seeing Rome!) We rented from the Hertz at the Termini station, and we chose Termini because we needed an automatic and the options there were better than at other pick-up locations with easier access to the ring road (for us that would have been Tiburtina). I was nervous about driving out of Rome from Termini and I would not say it was easy, but fortunately I had a good navigator and we made it out smoothly (and I'd do it again the next time). If you pick up at Termini or anywhere that isn't right by the ring road, a good navigator is essential and it's a smart idea for you to both take a look at the route before you leave. Several times the Google Map narrator said to go straight and we definitely considered it a turn, due to the winding Rome roads.

Also budget in more time than you think it will take to pick up your car. The Hertz line was very slow moving and other rental counters seemed to be the same.

It sounds as if you've never driven in Italy, so I suggest you read this and download their ebook.

https://www.italybeyondtheobvious.com/dont-mess-with-ztl-zones

Along with this info, each driver needs an IDP which is a translation of your drivers license.
These are available at AAA for $25.