KenFallon

Hi, My wife and I are flying into Rome and are renting a car at airport. We want to drop the car off in Florence a week or so later. Is this possible?
Anyone done this?
Any tips?
Thanks!
Ken

john183

We have picked up cars at FCO twice, one time we dropped it off in Florence near the train station (this was before they established the dreaded ZTL), the other time in Orvieto. Both were very easy to do. In June of 2014, we are picking up a car at FCO and dropping it off a week later at the Florence airport then taking what I think will be a 15 or 20 minute taxi ride to our hotel in Florence. We could probably deal with trying to drop it off near the train station inside the ZTL but decided to take the easy way out and just drop it at the airport. I'm interested to hear other opinions on this.

rbciao

Renting a car at Fiumicino Airport is easy, but returning it in Florence can be a good or bad idea, depending where you plan to return the car. Florence is notorious for their ZTL's-Zona Traffico Limitato. These are zones where only residents with passes can drive in certain areas without receiving huge fines. Many tourists drive through these zones and receive a hefty ticket six months after returning home.

A cogent strategy would be to return it to the Florence Airport and take a bus or cab into the city. This eliminates any ZTL violations.

Also, IMHO, when you rent the car purchase the extra zero liability insurance for peace of mind. Most credit cards do not provide insurance coverage in Italy, Portugal, Ireland, and Israel. After you drive in Italy for a short time you will see why.

Buon viaggio,

robertcoon

It's easily done. Some car rental agencies will charge you for one way rentals. Others won't. I recommend looking into that. Also, if you can find an agency with an office in the city, that might be the best way to drop it off so you don't have to go to the airport.

kybourbon

What is your itinerary after picking up your car at FCO? There are a lot of places with easier return and access to Florence. If you post your itinerary, we can suggest them. I assume you are not visiting Rome since you can't drive there either (ZTL).

KenFallon

Hi,
Our itinerary is as follows:
Fly into Rome ( we got great flights/rates.
Rent a car at airport, drive to orvieto, spend 2 nites and the drive to Assisi, stay overnight then leisurely drive to Tuscany area, spend a nite or two .
Drop car at florence airport and spend 2 nites there... Take train back to Rome..5 nites there and fly home after touring Rome leisurely. Any thoughts in other car drop off points would be appreciated.. Thanks in advance kybourbin .

tuscanlifeedit

IMO, the Florence airport is as easy a drop off point as any, and certainly as close to Florence as you can easily get to.

bobthenavigator

Your plan is fine. Just do not try to drive IN Florence.

annhig

Agree with the above. The one place you do NOT want a car is Florence - some of the worst driving anywhere.

Your itinerary looks good and well paced, though I might take a night from Rome and add it to Florence.

KenFallon

Thank you all for your comments..
Happy New Year
Ken