Rental Car pick up at FCO airport or along A1 if heading to Siena?

Some travelers stop over in Rome for a couple of days to get over the jet lag and unwind a bit before jumping in a rental car after an all-night flight from the US.

But if you want to just get to Siena without a stop over to rest up, I'd be inclined to pick up the rental car at FCO and head out to Siena, it's a 3 hour drive even if you went all the way to Siena (if you don't hit traffic too bad on the ring road around the western part of Rome.

Doing that will save you the time and effort of getting your bags onto the Leonardo shuttle, buying train tickets at Termini, waiting for the train, the train ride from Termini to Chiusi or Siena, then getting you and your bags to the rental car place, then driving to your final destination. That's a lot of work when you're already tired, assuming you've flown in overnight from the US.

If you pick up the car at FCO, you may want to consider avoiding the A90 around Rome by going directly from FCO to A12/E80 and up that way to E78 or wherever your final destination is outside of Siena. Maybe takes a little longer but avoids the uncertainty of what the traffic on the A90 might be like. Hard to figure, just a thought.

I picked up my car in Siena and it was very easy! Not sure what is better.

Brenda,
If you are arriving at FCO after a overnite flight and don't know how jetlag affects you, don't plan on a long drive.
Kent listed the disadvantages of the train option. The advantages are that you avoid the airport surcharge on the rental and if you fall asleep on the train they don't need the jaws of life to get you out.

Thank you all for your replies and sharing your experiences. I really appreciate your input!

While the trip from Toronto to Rome isn't too bad, it is indeed an overnight flight and I know the 'foggy head' and disorientation of landing in a new country can be a bit of challenge. I did the same when landing in Madrid a few years ago (departed for Rioja immediately), but was the navigator not the driver.

Kent, I have spent a few days in the city upon landing so know what you mean. For this trip I wanted to maximize the time in Tuscany hence the immediate departure. Thanks for the ideas on the alternative routes ... less busy is always good! And I was leaning towards the rental as the thought of navigating a few trains sounded daunting.

Carol, which car rental agency did you use? And did you fly into Rome then train it to Siena?

Henry, you made me laugh! Not to make light of the image, but your caught my attendion!

Thanks again to you all.

Cheers