jackiebowyer1

I am renting a car at the airport in Florence to have while touring tuscany for 3 days. I rented through autoeurope. As of now I am returning it at the airport (Fiumicino) in Rome. (where we will be spending our last part of our trip). Would it be easier to return in Orvieto and take train to Rome, or better to keep the return at the Fiumicino airport? I want to avoid crazy complicated traffic.

adrienne

I'd rather return the car in Orvieto, take a couple of hours to see the town, and then take the train to Rome. Less traffic and stress.

Michael

Why bother driving around Rome when the train ride will be about the same? Besides, Orvieto is a worthwhile stop.

bvlenci

However, there is no place in Orvieto to leave your luggage. You might want to park somewhere before returning the car if you want to visit the town, so you can leave your bags in the car (out of sight, of course).

Bamaman

I agree with all of the above. The Hertz station there is about 100 yards from the front door of the train station--across the street.

That's where I left my car one Saturday morning after they opened at 9:00 a.m.

It took 70 minutes to get into Rome Termini.

Judy

We were looking at the same options. We decided to drop our car at Ciampino airport as we'd have to taxi from the train station and this is one less transfer. Airport to hotel via taxi likely cheaper than train fare plus taxi from Termini.

Rostra

<<<As of now I am returning it at the airport (Fiumicino) in Rome.>>>
<<<I want to avoid crazy complicated traffic.>>>


I only did it once but had no problems with traffic, perhaps someone with more experience will know if there are any problems with getting to the airport from the north?

If you decide to keep the airport drop-off, you could just go across the street (elevated walkways) and get a taxi in front of the airport to your hotel for 48e.
Or (you say "I" as in 1 person) you could take the train (14e?) and a taxi from Termini to your hotel.

apscoradiales

no brainer - drop the car off at Orvieto, and take the train to Roma.

sarge56

I'm with those that say Orvieto. Plus, it has the reputation of being a lovely little town for a 1/2-day breather.

sarge56

PS If you decide to go to Fiumcino, there are cheaper options into Rome than a taxi, if you do not have a lot of luggage.

Check out the Leonardo Express for €14 pp. Leaves every 30 minutes.

Buon viaggio!

kybourbon

>>>Airport to hotel via taxi likely cheaper than train fare plus taxi from Termini.<<<

I doubt it. Ciampino is not Rome and to get to central Rome is a set fee (30€ currently)which would cost more than most taxis from Termini to central Rome which is a very short distance (likely 10-15€). The train from Orvieto is 7€. To drive from Orvieto you would also be paying gas/tolls.

>>>However, there is no place in Orvieto to leave your luggage.<<

There is no storage at the train station, but a nearby hotel will store it (search Fodor's for the name and people that have used it).

>>>I rented through autoeurope.<<<

This means nothing. Autoeurope is a booking agent and uses various car rental companies. You have to pick a return location based on the company they booked. You can't drop an Avis pick up at a Hertz location, etc. Smaller towns only have one of two companies so you have to know which companies have locations where you want to drop.

eastave

We have always returned our cars directly to FCO. We have always been coming from Montepulciano, so the same direction as you. The airport is so far out of town, you are on highways the whole way. It was also much quicker returning the car there than it was picking it up.

For us it was an obvious choice, because we were flying out after returning the car.