Sgould

My husband and I are traveling with two other adult couples in July to Italy. Our son-in-law will be arriving on our last day in Rome and we have to go to the airport to pick him up and, at the same time, pick up our rental car to drive to Tuscany. We would like to be able to show our son-in-law a few highlights in Rome before leaving for Tuscany. First of all, can anyone tell me how difficult it might be to have him shuttle to the rental car location and just meet the group there? Any other ideas? Also, where could we leave the car and be able to get into the city to show him around for 1/2 day? Thanks for any help. I know we cannot drive the car in Rome, but just looking for a place to park it for the day.

charnees

Why doesn't he take a cab into wherever in Rome you want to meet him, and then all of you return to the airport together to pick up the car? Then you won't have to worry about parking at all.

kybourbon

I would just let him train into Rome (either the local train to Trastevere or the Leonardo to Termini), spend the day (or however long you plan to spend) and pick up your car at Villa Borghese.

bobthenavigator

Do you plan to put 7 adults and luggage into one vehicle. That is your challenge---I would focus on that.

Sgould

There are actually just three couples and we have a large van that should accomodate us and our luggage! Keeping my fingers crossed. As far as picking the car up later in the day, I will have to contact the rental car company about that. I made all the rental arrangements months and months ago and they no longer have any large vehicles available. Guess I'm worried that if we don't show up when arranged they will not have the vehicle any longer. These large vehicles are very hard to come by as you probably know.

nytraveler

Since your son is at the airport have him rent the car, leave his luggage in it - in the rental agency lot - and then go meet you in the city. When you're done sightseing all organize a cab van to get you all back to the airport.

Sgould

Thanks nytraveler. That's probably the most reasonable way to do it. It's going to be a challenge no matter how we do it!

Anna_Galea

Your son has to be over 21 years of age to hire car, and would have to pay for extra insurance if he is under 25 years of age.

What is the point of everybody going to airport and then returning to Rome (especially if you do not intend to drive anywhere near Rome). If he takes the train to Termini Station in Rome, you may all meet up there.

Alternatively, if you still prefer that you all meet up with him, then do so and after go to rental office and hire car, and travel all back to Rome by train. My husband did drive all around Rome (we do have the blue sticker for disabled, as my disabled daughter travelled with us, so it helped as it allows us to enter city centre) but it was no easy task, and I would not recommend it if you are not used to driving in big cities in Italy.

If you booked your hired car, and show up late on the day that you hired it, they should not rent car to anyone else, although I would still phone up the rental office where you would be picking up your car (seem to be at airport in your case) and inform them that you would be picking up car later in the day. Check out the times that the rental office stays open.

SAB

It has not been mentioned but the rental car office and garage is within walking distance of the arrivals via walkways. Also if you plan on taking a car to the airport to pick up your car, please be aware that the cab cannot get that close to the rental office. It can only drop you off at departures and you will then have to take the escalator up to the connecting walk way to the rental car office.