Where to leave rented car and Get to Vatican?

The best idea is NOT to bring any rental car into downtown Rome unless you want traffic headaches, parking nightmares and ZTL fines. Maybe have a look at this:

http://www.rome-travel.org/parking-in-rome-near-vatican/

I also wouldn't recommend driving into Termini. Park at Tiburtina station, which is closer to the motorway, and still get the Metro into town.

Thanks for the posts, esp. since we don't have a clue about city traffic.

How would timing work? We have Vatican Museum tickets for 2:00pm entrance (guess we need to be there ahead of that). It seems we have a 2hour + drive from Pienza. Any guess how much time we need from the Tiburtina Station to drop off at Vatican? Thanks again for your thoughts.

Be sure to read up on the rules for driving in Italy including information on IDP's, ZTL's, speeding, and restricted lanes. Any of these infractions will get you a very hefty fine and fees from the rental company.

I would probably leave the car at the airport. You can then take the train to the San Pietro station, which is close to the Vatican. For a 2pm tour you'll want to be there at about 1:30-1:45.

Donna

Thank you, Donna.

Donna,
Can you recommend a Rome Transit map? I understand the Roma Passes we purchased have a map , but is there another you have used. Thanks. Sue

If I were faced with your dilemma I would get to the nearest train station from your location in Pienza, park the rental car, and take the train ALL the way to Roma and the metro/taxi to Vatican.

Rental Cars are just a pain in the rear when visiting big cities like Rome, Milan, etc. It's MUCH MUCH easier to take the train.

Sorry but I'm a little confused? From one of your former posts:

"We are driving south from Pienza on morning of 19th . We leave Italy the next day (20th), so we are interested in spending the 19th seeing a bit more of Rome or the area on the South side."

So you're coming from Pienza, have 2:00 PM entry tickets at the Vatican, and THEN intend to see Ostia Antica? The site closes during the summer at 7:15 PM (last entry at 6:15). The Vatican Museums are vast, and you'll kill the better part of a hour getting to Ostia from there so that doesn't leave you much time to work with? Are you staying in central Rome that evening?

Yes, it is confusing! For me especially :-).
Not having a good grasp of time needed for travel , and time spent in attraction has prompted my numerous questions.

Yes, we are traveling south from Pienza morning of 19th and have Vatican tickets for 2:00pm. I do think that will eliminate any site seeing in Ostia Antica, but we reserved a room there for that night thinking it would be close to airport the next morning for flight out. We may need to rethink that room in Ostia Antica. Thanks for your response.

I would return the rental car in Pienza and take the train to Rome. If you don't want to do that I would return the car to the FCO airport that day and take the train into Rome for your last night. There is really no reason to keep the car for Rome since you can't use it in the city to begin with.

You won't have time to come from Pienza, do a 2pm tour of the Vatican area and make to Ostia Antica on the same day.

You can visit the official site: http://www.atac.roma.it/page.asp?p=18

Click on Metropolitana linea A and B so see their stops.

Donna

Donna's plan sounds like a winner to me. I'd cancel that hotel in Ostia and spend your last night in Rome: maybe book a hotel close to Termini so you can just walk over and dump your bags before heading off to sightsee. What time is your flight on the 20th?

Fri 20-May 2016
11:20 - TERMINAL 3

Leave the car at the Tiburtina station, the airport is too far. Also you can't drop off your rental car in Pienza as someone suggested. There are no rental offices in Pienza and more importantly how would you get out of Pienza without a car?
Not sure how you intend to handle your luggage. Aren't you going to drop off your luggage to the hotel first? It's not that you can lug it around inside the Vatican.
This should be your plan:
First of all cancel your hotel in Ostia and find one in Rome.
Drive to Rome from Pienza. Give yourself 3 hours, not 2.
Drop off car at or near the Tiburtina station.
You will have luggage, therefore you will need to take a taxi to your hotel in Rome first.
After you drop off your luggage at the hotel, go to the Vatican (means of transport varies depending on location of hotel).
To do all of the above you should leave Pienza no later than 9am.

One more thing.
Not sure where you are flying and with which airline.
However if you are flying America Airlines to Charlotte (dep at 11:20), you need to check in at T5, which is at a distance from the main T3.
To get to the airport from Rome take a taxi. 35 min for €48. That is the most comfortable option if you have luggage and there are more than 2 of you.
The train is also a good option if your hotel is near Termini station.

Flying Air Canada to Toronto.
Fri 20-May 2016
11:20 - TERMINAL 3

Yes, we will be in Rome from 13-16 , then going north to Pienza for a few days. Back to Rome on the 19th for the Vatican Museums.

I have rec'd lots of advice which we appreciate! Seems we will drop off car , the am of the 19th, at one of the train station, take Metro to Vatican. Next am, the 20th, we will take Metro to airport.

The other thing you can do is to go directly to Pienza when you land and spend the last 4 days in Rome instead of splitting it up. This will eliminate a hotel change and give you a little more time in both areas.

Donna

Next am, the 20th, we will take Metro to airport.

Probably just a mix-up in terms but Rome's metro doesn't run to Fiumicino. You'll take a train. :O)

Yes, thanks.

Okay, I think we are on a better path thanks to all of your advice/suggestions.
Looks like dropping rental car at train station (TIBURTINA-seems slightly easier to access), checking in at accommodation nearby and then move on to the vatican using Metro Line A. The next day, 20th, we can take the Express train to the airport. Thanks again to all helpers!