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Siena car rental and staying in area - second guessing our decision

Posted by (North Carolina mountains) on

Our plan is to spend four nights in the Tuscany area beginning September 21. This is a small part of a five week trip. Let me start by saying, last year we spent 3 nights in Montepulciano and loved it, but we did not rent a car and only visited Pienza by bus. Will be our first time driving in Europe.

So, we decided to return and rent a car. Since we prefer not to drive in Montepulciano, we decided to pick the rental car up at Hertz near the Siena train station and drive to Villa il Castagno, where we will spend four nights. We will be coming from Bologna. Our plan is to spend the days touring the nearby towns and countryside. (We stayed in Siena a few years ago, so don't plan on spending time there. We will return the car in Siena.

Now I'm wondering if it would be easier and less stressful to take the train to Chiusi, rent the car there and stay somewhere nearby, since we don't plan on going to Siena, other than getting the car.

So undecided. I hate it when I second guess myself. Maybe that's what happens when I have too much time to sit and ponder.

Help and advice is much appreciated. We're leaning towards changing plans to avoid having to go to Siena.

Posted by
550 posts

The place we have reserved is about 3 miles north of the Siena train station. When I look on Google maps, it appears to be a fairly easy drive from the station.

It is "out in the country" and they do have parking.

Posted by
11651 posts

Where are you coming from? We find it easier to use a car to cover longer distances too than taking bags on and off trains or buses. So, for example, if coming from Rome, pick it up in Rome or at FCO. Then use it locally. I love Siena but it since you won’t visit there, perhaps there is a better pick up location near your destination.

Posted by
16187 posts

As I understand it, you are in Bologna before heading to Tuscany. You used the pronoun “we” therefore I assume it’s at least two of you, unless you are one person suffering from dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder).
Given these facts, I would rent the car in Bologna and drive from there. That would avoid having to lug suitcases on and off trains, and taxis from the station to the rental car office.
Both Europcar and Hertz are located downtown Bologna on Via Boldrini, walking distance to the station.

Posted by
550 posts

By "we", I mean me and my husband.

Roberto - thanks for the suggestion. just wondering, if we get the car in Bologna, is it a difficult drive getting out of the city?

Posted by
7209 posts

It's stressful to get in, out , around in MOST European cities. It can also be a rude awakening $$$ in the cities unless you understand the ZTL areas and how to avoid.

Posted by
83 posts

Hi Sue,
If you decide to take the train to Chiusi, there is a Hertz just outside to train station that you can rent from. Driving in Chiusi is simple and we have rented many times from this Hertz - the guy is very friendly who works there. FYI - they are not opened on Sunday. If you are travelling on a Sunday, let me know and I can send you a link of another car rental service we used in the past that will meet you at the Chiusi station with a car. They are a bit more expensive than Hertz, but at least you will have a car!

If you plan on going to Montepulciano again for a few days, I have stayed at an amazing B&B just out the city. The hosts are Americans and created a beautiful place to stay.

Feel free to message me if you need any of the details for the rental services or place to stay. Have a great trip! -TJ

Posted by
550 posts

TJ - thanks for the advice on renting the car in Chiusi.

I have tried several times to send you a private message, but keep getting a system error message. Can you please share the name of the B&B near Montepulciano.

Thank you

Posted by
83 posts

Hi Sue,
Here is a google maps link to the Hertz in Chiusi - you can see how close it is to the station.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hertz+Chiusi+Stazione+Centrale+-+Via+Michelangelo+Buonarroti+25/@43.0028562,11.9571992,18.85z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x13294e227f10da61:0x96da751293414e9b!8m2!3d43.003307!4d11.957563

For the B&B in Montepulciano, it's Fonte Martino (www.fontemartino.com). We recently stayed there and it was wonderful!

Good luck with the rental car!

Posted by
550 posts

Thanks so much. Funny - I had already contacted this B&B. They have a vacancy for two of our nights. I think we'll take it and find something nearby for the other two nights.

Thanks

Posted by
1041 posts

Hi Sue,

Since Villa il Castagno is only 19 minute drive from Siena versus a little over an hour from Chiusi, you may want to rent from Siena as it it is a shorter drive. However, you will need to factor in the train time to Siena from Montelpucian (about 55 minutes).

We returned our vehicle there last June. It is outside Siena center, about a five minute walk to the train station and very easy to get to. Driving in and around Siena was not really an issue (for us it was parking in Siena).

If you pick up the vehicle in Chiusi, it is 44 minutes by train to get there or 27 minutes by taxi and then another 1hour + The advantage of picking up the vehicle here is not necessarily convenience, but that you can stop off and visit some places on your way to Villa iI Castagno.

Have a great trip,
Sandy

Posted by
550 posts

Thanks everyone. We have decided to not go to Siena. Taking train to Chiusi, renting a car at the train station. We are staying four nights in the area. Plan on spending our time touring the countryside.

Decision made. Promising myself not to look back😊 We'll see how that goes!

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