Teresa

We are planning a 3 week trip through France and Italy. We are visiting Rome for 3 days about half way through the trip, between Florence and Venice. My concern is driving into Rome. I've seen a suggestion of parking the car in Orvieto and taking the train into Rome. Any ideas on what is the least amount of headache?

Rex

I may be biased in favor of the advantages of having a car, but I cannot believe that the Orvieto option is the best choice. <BR> <BR>I favor one of two extremes: <BR> <BR>1. Don't start your rental in Florence. Use the train to get to Rome. Yes, that means loss of the flexibility to see the Tuscan countryside - - but you have the return trip northbound. Rent upon leaving Rome. Getting OUT of Rome is the least challenging aspect of driving there (though even this can be a "headache", as you call it). and allow an extra day (or 2 or 3 or more?) to stop along the way - - in Assisi, in Tuscany, in Verona, etc, etc. <BR> <BR>or <BR> <BR>2. If you want the sheer fun of having a car, go ahead and rent in Florence, and fear not taking your car into Rome. Yes, you may find that it takes FOREVER to make your way into Il Centro Storico. But you know - - it's only time. You CAN drive your car right up to the front door of virtually any hotel in Rome, unload your stuff and carry straight into your room (instead of schlepping from train to taxi, etc, etc) and then go park your car. You may get yelled it a little bit about "you can't stop and unload here" - - but the truth is, yes you can. No one will come arrest you and throw you in jail. You just need a combination of those priceless Italian shrugs of the shoulders, and trying to act since when you say "we're hurrying, we're hurrying" (si, si, andiamo pronto, capisco, pronto, pronto). The place you have to park your car may be 200, 400, even 800 meters away and you'll simply have to walk back to your hotel. The parking will be expensive, and in all probability, there will be no reason for you to touch your car during your 3 days in Rome. But you CAN do it.

Ed

A car is not something I'd prefer to have in Rome but it's not a terribly big deal for three days. Much better not to use it during that period. <BR> <BR>You'll have a bit of trouble finding a place to park. The hotel will surely be able to tell you how to find the nearest garage. The cost will be a bit high ... it's been years since we had to stow one overnight, but I'd guess $20-$25/night by now in central Rome. But this may be a better alternative than two shorter term rentals. <BR> <BR>You'll also find a smaller cheaper car than a Mercedes or BMW is less attractive to thieves. Nonetheless, make sure you leave nothing in the car. Unfortunately you're unlikely to find it convenient to take the spare tire to the room with you. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com <BR>

Sally

We parked our car at the train station in Orvieto for a couple of days twice. It worked fine.

Mario

Driving into Rome was not that scary at all. My wife and I were in Rome for 3 days last September. We parked the car at a parking gararge, left it there the whole time and then walked or took public transit. Parking was around $20-$25 a day.