We're flying into Rome and then taking the train to Siena or Florence (FLR) to pick up a rental car and would like to return it to the same location after we tour Northern Italy. We are ending our stay in Florence and then will train to the Airport in Rome. Is the Florence airport the best place to rent a car? (We thought that we'd return it at FLR and then train into Florence for our stay there). Does this make sense or should we pickup and return in Siena instead?
Thanks for your help!
You don’t have to return to same location nor do you have to use the airport pick up-(that will cost more)
You could rent as you leave Rome, return it in Florence
Or train to Florence pick it up at locations near the station and return it to that same location
( train from Rome to Siena will require a change in Florence)
Your options in Siena will be fewer than in Florence
Have you searched the forum ? there are many many threads about car rental in Tuscany/Florence
Are you picking up the car on the day you arrive in Italy or do you plan to spend a few days in Rome first then head north? And where exactly are you spending your time after Rome? Are you staying in Florence a few days? Are you going to Siena only?
Your exact itinerary and plan would determine my answer.
Siena does not have many car rental options. We fould renting from the Florence Hertz location near the train station had excellent service.
Thanks. We are staying in Rome for several days and then have an agritourismo in Chianti for a week. After that, we travel up to Venice, the Dolomites and then to Cinque Terre before 2 days in Florence. We thought that we would return the car to the original pick up location and then take the train from Florence to our accomodations near the airport in Rome. (I have been searching in the forum but have found answers that are 5+ years old). I just am not sure which pick up location to request when booking our car.
Thanks for your time.
I have to add that we are staying in Florence for 3 nights before heading to the airport
(I have been searching in the forum but have found answers that are
5+ years old)
You can filter the search by type and date- Click on "Travel Forum" then 6 mo, 1 yr, etc.
Here is "car rental in Florence" last 6 months
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=6m&filter=Travel+Forum&query=car+rental+Florence&utf8=✓
Thanks. We are staying in Rome for several days and then have an
agritourismo in Chianti for a week. After that, we travel up to
Venice, the Dolomites and then to Cinque Terre before 2 days in
Florence.
Stil la bit confusing-
You will only need or want the car for your stay in Chianti.
If you don't want to drive out of Rome then train to Florence- pick up car there at train station locations, drop it same location then train to Venice.
Be sure you read up on driving in Italy- ZTLs, parking, bus lanes, speed cameras etc.
All drivers must have an IDP- get at your local AAA.
We alway book our cars with AutoEurope.com (also check AutoEurope.eu)
A US based consolidator with excellent customer service and usually best rates.
If you are departing from Rome you need to be IN Rome the night before your flight- unless it is very late in day- too risky..
