So, in reading some of the FAQ, it got me thinking about staying at the Hilton hotel at the airport overnight on the day we arrive in Rome. It looks like we could easily take a train into the city, see the sights (we have been before, so just thinking about the Colosseum and walking around the Forum, see the Christmas market, nothing too hectic), then return by train to the Hilton. The next day, we would pick up our rental car at the airport and drive into Tuscany. My goal with this is to see Rome at Christmas (one day is plenty as we have been before but not at Christmas until now) then get into Tuscany w/o driving in Rome and w/o the hassle of the "no drive zones", parking, etc. Does this sound at all feasible? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11177 posts
Sounds like a plan to me.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15161 posts
Just be aware that the Hilton is not cheap and picking up a rental car at the airport costs more because of various extra airport charges.
I have done what you plan to do before when my plane arrived to Rome too late for me to drive up to Tuscany. But I did not go to the city. I went straight to dinner at the Hilton hotel and to bed. Then the next morning got car and drove to Tuscany, where my family is.
In your case, since you plan to visit the city, you could also stay downtown, preferably near a rental car office.
It’s really up to you (and your wallet).
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8141 posts
Many take a local train from Rome Termini up to Orvieto and pick up a Hertz rental car across the street from the train station. It's a 70 minute train ride up there which saves the hassle of going back out to the airport. Orvieto is also a popular drop off point for those coming into the Rome area--and a beautiful hilltown.
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
That would work well and since you’ve been to Rome before you know what you want to see. However, I personally would hate to miss nighttime in Rome. The lighting and after dinner walks are the best part. So staying at the airport would kind of limit that. I think the last Leonardo express train from Termini is at 10:30 (double check) which if dinner is at 8 is kind of pushing it.
Posted by
OP
california
40 posts
Thank you . . . all good suggestions!
We have not arranged our rental car yet and I have also thought of renting outside of Rome. Orvieto sounds like it may be a really good choice and I think Hertz is the company we will use anyway so that makes it even more attractive. So, depending upon when we arrive (airline tickets not yet purchased but we are about to), I do like the idea of staying in the city center and avoiding another trip to the airport. Silly me, I had not even thought about the metro trains stopping at a certain hour, but of course they do! Duh! lol Absolutely, I want to see Rome at night at Christmas time!
I did not realize that it costs more to pickup the car at the airport? I did not realize that locations would effect the price, at least not much. Interesting. We will be dropping off somewhere near Venice and I think that will cost us more since its not the same as our pickup point, but that's where we are flying home as we will also be visiting the Dolomites and Trieste/Slovenia.
Thank you all again!
Posted by
New Orleans
1206 posts
Another vote for taking the train into Rome once you arrive, staying at hotel in central Rome, then taking the train to Orvieto (or Chiusi) in the morning and picking up your rental car there. Be aware: my experience at the Hertz office in Orvieto three years ago was that there was a short line when we arrived soon after the office opened in the morning, but within an hour there was a long line at the very small office, and some people had to wait outside in the rain.