nanaof7

We are thinking we should soon finalize our car rental for our week in the Tuscany area. We will be in Cinque Terre prior to heading for Tuscany so where would the best place to pick up our car on a Saturday getting there by train (Pisa, Lucca)? Then for the drop off. We will be heading south to Sorrento the following Saturday and wonder where the best place to drop car. Someone suggested driving to Sorrento and dropping car there but we would have to pay an extra day to do that. Please advise if you have done this before and least complicated logistically. Thanks.

zoecat

From the CT you could take the train to nearby La Spezia and pick up your car there. You will probably need to take a taxi from the train station to the rental office. Make sure the rental office gives you directions to the main highway south. I have done this and found it pretty easy to do.

Not sure where in Tuscany you will be staying. Chiusi or Orvieto may be options for your drop off. Maybe drop the car and quickly visit Orvieto before heading to Sorrento.

bobthenavigator

La Spezia is OK but so is Pisa to get the car.
Why not drive to Sorrento--much easier than changing trains.
There is no extra charge.

bellalinda

I would agree with Bob on 2 counts. Bypass La Spezia and drive to Sorrento.
As you will be used to train travel after the CT, why not continue on as far as you can on the train before getting the car. Just realize you will want to purchase your long haul tickets beforehand from the booth rather than at a ticket dispenser.
If you plan to see Pisa, you could train there, put your bags in the storage area at the train station, go and see the tower etc, then pick up your car and collect your bags.
I took the train even further down the coast after CT and it was very enjoyable. I picked up my car in Cecina, right near the train station, toured around Tusvcany & Umbria and then drove straight to Sorrento and dropped the car. It worked out perfectly.

Ackislander

Be sure the rental offices are open at the hour and on the day you want to pick up and drop off. I have not personally rented in Italy, but often in France offices located in the station or even at the airport in smaller cities (i.e., the size of Pisa or Lucca) close for an hour or two for lunch daily and are not open from from noon on Saturday until Monday morning.

nanaof7

Thank you for all your replies. Yes, I have noticed that many of the in town agencies are closed on a Saturday from 12-4 or such like. I have some more questions- coming from La Spezia to Pisa, which train station would we arrive at- Pisa Centrale or Pisa S. Rossore? Just wondering where the car rental place is in comparison to the stations. We are staying in a villa near Radda in Chianti the following week and leaving from there for Sorrento. It seems people are suggesting we drive to Sorrento. How long would that take? If we do not get the car returned by 1 PM we are charged an extra day. I am wondering if we would be better to drop in Naples and train to Sorrento although I have a feeling Naples might be a zoo for traffic, etc. All comments greatfully accepted.

bobthenavigator

Stay out of Naples with a car--drop in Sorrento.
The Centrale station is best--the San Rossore is close to the Tower if that is your intent. There is also a station at the airport, but that will mean an extra surcharge.
The drive to Sorrento will take about 5 to 6 hours. See Google Maps for detailed routing.