This summer we are renting a villa south of Florence and plan on doing day trips to various hill towns. We have six adults and one child. Would it be wiser to rent a nine passenger van or two mid size cars? Also, is parking a nine passenger van a problem in the car lots?
Posted by
Denver
808 posts
Two vehicles will give everyone more flexibility, and be much easier to drive on narrow roads, and of course be much easier to park.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
A van will probably be more expensive than a couple of cars. Also, with two cars, should a problem arise during a daytrip, not everyone has to return to home base, or be stranded somewhere.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16240 posts
Renting a van will cost you more than renting 3 economy cars or 2 midsize cars.
Frankly you can very easily make do with 2 compact cars. A Compact car will have sufficient room for 3 adults with luggage. You don't even need 2 midsize cars.
Parking in a lot will not be a problem, but driving or parking in narrow streets will and you will probably thank yourself if you drive a compact or an economy. Even a midsize might be a challenge, let alone a van.
I tested a random car week rental on Autoeurope.com in May 2016. These are the rental rates, comprehensive of zero deductible full insurance. VAT Taxes are included, but not the road tax, which is an additional about ~$3/day, which will be added at the time of pick up:
Economy $156/wk
Compact $226/wk
Midsize $300/wk
Family Size/Minivan $598/wk