I would like to book our car rental from the States before heading over to Italy (next week). We're flying into Rome. After a couple of nights in Rome, we're heading to (just outside of) Siena for an Agriturismo stay. We want a car for those five days to visit all the hillside towns. Where is the best city to pickup a car (we're not fond of driving in big cities). Should we take a train from Rome to Siena and pick one up there? After staying at that agriturismo, we will be back to riding trains and heading to the Cinque Terra/Riviera area. Thanks for any help you might be able to offer!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Some travelers posting here take the short train ride from Rome to Orvieto and pick up the rental car there, rather than trying to pick up the car in Rome. Others go out to FCO for car pickup.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Europcar (not Europecar !) is the most ubiquitous rental agency in Italy (and in France too by the way). They have less pretentious offices and locations than, say, Avis or Hertz, but usually charge less. I would rent a car at Fiumicino Airport. It's well outside city limits, next to the Roma Ring Road (Grande Raccordo Annulare), from which you can access highways leaving Rome in every direction.
Posted by
OP
Martinez, United States
12 posts
Thank you both for your replies. Very helpful! =-)
Posted by
Houston, Tx, USA
25 posts
I am trying to decide on whether or not to rent a car inside Rome and drive out to Orvieto or take the train. I hear that renting in Rome is a bad choice. I don't mind big city traffic (live in Houston), but I think I will take the advice offered and take a taxi or bus to the Fiumicino Airport where I will rent my car and then drive to Orvieto from there.
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
Keep in mind that there is typically a 40-45 euro surcharge for picking up at an airport.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
Jenny, It depends on what you want to do. If you want to avoid driving Siena has Hertz, Avis, and Europcar. A lot of Americans use Autoeurope, a broker with a good reputation. If you want to see some small towns on the way you could pick up in Orvieto and drive up SS2 or pick up at Chiusi and drive SP146 Chiusi to San Quirico and then up SS2.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
Alanna, Unless there is somewhere you want to see between Rome and Orvieto,or it is a weekend, why waste the time and money to go to FCO. Just train to Orvieto. Both Hertz and Avis are about 100 meters across from the train station
Posted by
Dallas, United States
705 posts
I'd suggest telephoning autoeurope.com, a broker that deals with multiple rental companies. Explain your situation and ask them the same questions you've posted. They have always been very helpful. Good luck.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
We picked up our Avis car in Siena and we reserved thru www.autoeurope.com. it was perfect!
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Europcar doesn't have any surchage to pickups in FCO airport. It costs the same as any other downtown office, same for Milan's offices. AFAIK, only Hertz and Avis charges fees for airport offices, as they cater for a client pool used to paid them in North America.