We are finding that many car rental agencies are closed on Sunday in Italy. We are now set with hotels and have to pick up a car on Sunday--the best option seems to be getting the car at Ciampimo airport--several agencies appear to be open. It would appear that getting on the circumvential road around Rome would not be too challenging. We are heading to Tuscany. Has anyone done this and how scary is it? We have driven out of Florence which was a bit unnerving.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
I would guess that driving on a Sunday will mean less traffic; so getting on the highway should be less challenging. Depends on how experienced a driver you are.
Just be prepared to speed up as soon as you enter traffic so you can merge. Driving in an area we are not familiar with is ALWAYS unnerving. For everyone.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
Thanks for the reply Carl. Husband is excellent driver as long as I am good navigator. We have been to Rome several times and always remind ourselves how lucky we are not driving there. We will be fine when we reach the Tuscany countryside. First driving experience in Europe was driving out of London and that will not be repeated. Also have driven out of Paris which was not too bad but very tense. If I were doing this solo I would hire a driver to get out of the Rome area.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Susan, driving the freeway will be easy. It's driving in the cities that freaks everybody out. Especially on Sunday, you should have no trouble getting on the road and to Tuscany.
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
Susan,
Driving the freeways is easy, but sometimes figuring out how to navigate to them is the hard part.
Why don't you buy a GPS here, learn how to use it, and take it to Europe! We love our TOM TOM 920.
I am not afraid to drive anywhere in Europe now that I have one. ( and the Boss does not have to navigate with maps anymore...she is much happier.)
If I remember correctly, we saved a lot of money by picking up our rental from Auto Europe at the huge multi rental agency offices right next to the Spanish Steps. And we got it on a Holiday!
It was super easy getting to the freeway from that location.