Rome to Perugia by train

Don't worry about being unprepared. Travel is not a college exam. Just improvise. To stay at a Villa near the Lake Trasimeno, you will need a rental car. Therefore in your shoes I would rent it soon after arrival, unless you plan to stay a few days in Rome first, in which case I would rent it after you leave Rome (a car in Rome is a hassle). Rental cars are available at these locations (in order of appearance, from sooner to later in your itinerary to Magione): Fiumicino Airport Rome Orvieto
Chiusi Scalo Consider that picking a rental car at the airport includes extra charges. If you take the train from the airport you need to go the Rome first. From there you take a train north. If you pick up the rental car in Rome, there are rental locations in or near the train station. If in Orvieto, take a regionale to Orvieto, if in Chiusi, take a regionale to Chiusi (same line, just further north). From Orvieto or Chiusi, pick up the car and proceed to Magione. The drive is easy. A1 freeway in direction of Florence then Exit at Bettolle, then proceed on the freeway in direction of Perugia (exit at Magione). If you pick up the car in Rome (or FCO), A1 to Florence then at Orte take the E45 freeway to Perugia, then at Perugia take freeway in the direction to Florence and exit at Magione.

Grazie Roberto! You always come through! My husband and I already have made our car arrangements through our villa agency. We're flying into Rome, staying at a hotel three nights, then picking up our car at the airport and driving to the villa, where we'll be for four weeks. Our friends and family will be coming and going throughout that time and some are renting a car, some will be sharing rides with us and others. So those renting a car should take the train from Roma Termini to Orvieto or Chiusi Scalo, rent a car there and drive to the villa from there? Those not renting can stay on the train to Magione and we can pick them up there? Is one town better/easier to get around (find the car rental agency) than the other (Orvieto or Chiusi Scalo)? Thanks!
lori

You can rent a car at any of the locations I mentioned. It also depends on which company one uses. Europcar for example has office in Chiusi, but not Orvieto. Avis and Hertz have in both. Everybody has offices in Rome of course. Chiusi is the closest to Magione. If you really like the people you are picking up, you should pick them up at either Terontola or Foligno (depending which train they choose), that way they don't need to change trains at those locations and take another train to Magione. Terontola is the station where they need to change trains to Magione, if they use a Regionale from Rome to Florence. Foligno is the station where they need to change trains to Magione, if they use a Regionale from Rome to Ancona. Terontola is very close to Magione, therefore it would be a short drive for you, if you really like them and want to pick them up there. If you don't like them that well, make them suffer a little and let them change trains and ride it all the way to Magione.

Haha! I do like them, Roberto, even the relatives. I'll let them know this. Grazie mille!
lori