Car rental in Orvieto
Oct 20th, 2008, 06:42 AM
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Car rental in Orvieto
We will be staying two weeks in an apartment in Orvieto and would like to just rent a car for a day here and there as we need it for day trips. Would that be feasible? Or is renting a car from the US a lot more inexpensive than waiting until we are in Italy? As always, any input you have on this is appreciate.
Oct 20th, 2008, 06:58 AM
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Renting the car ahead of time is almost always cheaper than on the spot. And renting for a day here and then again for a day there is expensive. When we tried to rent a car from the US for one day, there was a two-day minimum. You might find some local garage or some place that will rent a car for a day at a time fairly cheaply.
But another consideration is using Orvieto as a base. Orvieto is on top of a mesa, a flat-topped hill with steep sides. There is a road that winds its way up. But, for every day trip, you will have to get yourself down off that mesa before you can even start your drive. Either take the funicular down and get yourselves to your car, or drive down. This could get tedious fast. Unless your apartment is down at the base?
Two weeks in Orvieto is a long time. Maybe one week somewhere else?
What day trips do you plan?
But another consideration is using Orvieto as a base. Orvieto is on top of a mesa, a flat-topped hill with steep sides. There is a road that winds its way up. But, for every day trip, you will have to get yourself down off that mesa before you can even start your drive. Either take the funicular down and get yourselves to your car, or drive down. This could get tedious fast. Unless your apartment is down at the base?
Two weeks in Orvieto is a long time. Maybe one week somewhere else?
What day trips do you plan?
Oct 20th, 2008, 07:31 AM
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There's a good railway service from Orvieto to Rome and to Florence, Chiusi and Arezzo.
Orvieto's also a good location for driving round Umbria, southern Tuscany and Lazio, so hiring a car for one full week, and not having a car for another would be a good idea - IF you can solve the parking problem.
For non-residents (rules are at http://www.orvietoonline.it/orvieto_...i_orvieto.html), parking in Orvieto itself is €0.50 per hour between 0800 and 2000 and the traffic wardens are pretty efficient at spotting offenders. If your flat's in the real city, driving up and down's no big deal, and finding available spaces isn't insoluble, except on market days - but you've got to pop out of the flat to feed the meter at exactly 0800 each morning.
If your flat is actually in Orvieto Scalo - the charmless development at the bottom of the hill round the raiway station - I'd cancel the reservation and rent a villa out in the countryside anyway. Italian flair for design is never visible in the country's ghastly suburbs, and Orvieto Scala is no exception.
Though daily driving into real Orvieto is relatively painless, and its carparks positively spacious by the standards of most Italian hill towns, it may be an acquired taste for people unused to the congested parking of a proper town designed before any of this newfangled internal combustion stuff.
If that worries you, stay a week in Orvieto, depending on public transport, then rent a villa in the countryside for the second week and use that as driving base
Orvieto's also a good location for driving round Umbria, southern Tuscany and Lazio, so hiring a car for one full week, and not having a car for another would be a good idea - IF you can solve the parking problem.
For non-residents (rules are at http://www.orvietoonline.it/orvieto_...i_orvieto.html), parking in Orvieto itself is €0.50 per hour between 0800 and 2000 and the traffic wardens are pretty efficient at spotting offenders. If your flat's in the real city, driving up and down's no big deal, and finding available spaces isn't insoluble, except on market days - but you've got to pop out of the flat to feed the meter at exactly 0800 each morning.
If your flat is actually in Orvieto Scalo - the charmless development at the bottom of the hill round the raiway station - I'd cancel the reservation and rent a villa out in the countryside anyway. Italian flair for design is never visible in the country's ghastly suburbs, and Orvieto Scala is no exception.
Though daily driving into real Orvieto is relatively painless, and its carparks positively spacious by the standards of most Italian hill towns, it may be an acquired taste for people unused to the congested parking of a proper town designed before any of this newfangled internal combustion stuff.
If that worries you, stay a week in Orvieto, depending on public transport, then rent a villa in the countryside for the second week and use that as driving base
Oct 20th, 2008, 01:06 PM
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Mimar - Thanks for the info. I have been to Tuscany/Umbria serveral times previous and have always rented a car. This trip we really wanted to park ourselves in one place and get to know it well. We only have a couple of day trips we want to take. This trip is really for me to convalesce and I could think of no place better than Italy for it.
bobthenavigator - I had not thought about renting in 3 day increments. That might work well for us. We could group our driving day trips into a 3 day period. Thanks!
flanneruk - thanks for the great info on Orvieto, especially the link to orvietoonline. The flat we are considering is in Orvieto, not Scala. If we need it, parking in a carpark comes with the rental (for a fee). We have driven in Europe on many occasions and are not daunted by driving into or parking in Orvieto. I just hate to rent a car and have it sit for most of the time if we aren't going to be using it. I'll probably go with Bob's idea of renting a car for 3 days.
Oct 20th, 2008, 03:13 PM
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And, it will help your budget !
Here is more that may help. Goodluck !
DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE
Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a GOOD NAVIGATOR.
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors
Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is AUTOEUROPE [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, full mandatory insurance coverage, and VAT taxes. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.
Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—YOU SHOULD TOO !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.
OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.
NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $10. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.
Here is more that may help. Goodluck !
DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE
Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a GOOD NAVIGATOR.
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors
Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is AUTOEUROPE [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, full mandatory insurance coverage, and VAT taxes. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.
Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—YOU SHOULD TOO !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.
OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.
NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $10. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.
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