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Rome or Florence airport for Spello.

They both seem to be about the same distance, but does one offer an easier driving experience to Spello? Traffic, road conditions etc. I can get a nonstop or direct flight to Rome which I'd prefer, but if Rome (not in the city of course) has more traffic and tougher driving conditions, I'd be willing to book the one stop flight to Florence. Not to mention I'm thinking of staying in Spello until the morning of our flight back. Our flight would be around noon - I'd be willing to hit the road at 6am (on a Saturday)

Wife and I are still reeling a bit after my driving performance in rural Ireland. If it wasn't for that trip I wouldn't be asking this question.
I've lost a bit of confidence. Will be nice to see Europe with the steering wheel on the left. Should help.

Posted by
4105 posts

Get the direct into Rome, pick up car at FCO. If a 2 1/2 hour drive is too much after an overseas flight spend the night
In Orvieto. 90 minutes from the airport. Autostrada all the way.

Posted by
490 posts

Good luck. Italians are crazy drivers so be prepared for anything! I am a duel citizen so I can say this! LOL

The challenges in left side driving and narrow country roads in Ireland are indeed difficult...but the tempermant of drivers there is not so bad as in Italy.

Tip: Review the forum for driving tips in Italy..specific to no go zones, and speed cameras...so you won't have surprise tickets months after your trip. Petty theft is rampant in many areas, do not leaver ANYTHING in the car unattended...not even a plastic grocery bag, the thief does not know it is empty..try to get a car with a real trunk...this is difficult as most are hatch backs

No matter what app or gps you have, do yourself a favor and buy a REAL paper road map of Italy before you go...

Enjoy the road!

Posted by
11504 posts

We spent two weeks in Spello last year and easily drove up there from Rome FCO where we had spent the night. Most of the driving is on the Autostrada. Spello is beautiful, great restaurants too.
At the end of our time in Spello we drove to Naples airport to drop car off and that drive was very easy too. We had automatic transmission, a surprise upgrade.
Enjoy Spello!

Posted by
11504 posts

We spent the night at FCO because we arrived late the night before from another location in Europe.

Posted by
114 posts

Thanks everyone. Would it be risky to stay in Spello and expect to be on a return flight in Rome at 11:50 if I left Spello around 6am? On a Saturday.

Not sure if this would be a good idea, I can picture myself waking up every 15 minutes to look at clock.

Posted by
10035 posts

A return flight to the States? I wouldn't do it. Unless your appetite for risk is very high or you don't mind buying a replacement ticket home if you don't make it to the airport on time due to some road work or car trouble or something.

Posted by
1171 posts

If you think you will wake every 15 minutes, then stay in Rome the night before ! It's hard to choose, but you want to enjoy your vacation....

Posted by
15874 posts

Rome airport is a better choice as it is faster from Rome than from Florence. Even more so if you can get a non stop flight to Rome. You don't need to drive inside Rome if you start from the airport. The GRA (beltway) goes around the city.
I'm not sure I would stay in Spello the night before your flight. You need to be at the airport by about 9, to account for the time for the rental return. That means morning commute traffic (Saturday is practically a working day in Italy and it's a school day too). Also stuff happens, including car trouble or unexpected traffic jams). I wouldn't want to take such a big risk I prefer to stay close to the airport before a flight.

Posted by
11731 posts

Drive back to FCO area the night before. Have a relaxed dinner and not worry about a 6AM departure and "what's going to go wrong?" fretful night before.

Posted by
114 posts

Thanks everyone, I'll stay at a hotel in Rome the night before.