Car rental in Italy
 

Traveling through Italy in September mainly by train. But we are considering renting a car and driving from Florence to Rome via Sienna with a side trip to Assissi. Are car rentals similar to US - pick up in Florence, leave in Rome? Do we need to get a special permit?

This may help---the rental may be 3 days minimum. I would drop it in Orvieto and train into Rome.


DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE

Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a GOOD NAVIGATOR.
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors

Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is www.autoeurope.com [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, mandatory insurance coverage with some deductibles, and VAT taxes. It is wise to compare prices and coverage with their sister company at www.kemwel.com. Autoeurope will match any comparable quote, and are famous for their customer satisfaction if problems do arise with the vendor. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.

Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—YOU SHOULD TOO !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.

OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.

NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $15. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.

>>>Are car rentals similar to US - pick up in Florence, leave in Rome?<<<

Most cars are manuals, not automatics. Most city centers are restricted to residents (ZTL) and monitored by cameras that snap a pic of your license plate. Crossing into a ZTL can result in fines of several hundred euro (mailed to you within a year).
http://www.bella-toscana.com/traffic...ions_italy.htm

>>>But we are considering renting a car and driving from Florence to Rome via Sienna with a side trip to Assissi<<<

Are you talking about a one day rental or do you plan to stop and stay in the countryside somewhere? There are places you can pick up cars in these areas which are easier to navigate than Rome/Florence ZTLs.

kybourbon - are you talking about just a one-day rental to get around the countryside? The hotel in Florence said we needed a car to get to the spas & tour. Would the hotel recommend a local car rental agency?

Still not clear. Do you hope to go Florence-Siena-Assisi-Rome in one day?? That's nearly 6 hours of driving not counting time to find parking and walk into and out of each city's center.

You need an International Drivers Permit in Italy which is easily obtained at AAA in the U.S.

Many parts of city centers are pedestrian only - including the center of Florence and parts of Rome. For the smaller towns you need to park outside the walls in lare lots and then walk in (or there may be a shuttle in).

What you have outlined is several days with a car to see differnt placea - cannt be done in one day from Florence to Rome.

To rent a car in Italy you need to have an International Driving permit - which is a translation of your license - and whch you can get from AAA for a nmodest fee, Almost all cars are manyal - if you want an automiatc you need to reserve father in advance and realize it will cost more (and probbly not be a super small car).

bookmarking

>>>The hotel in Florence said we needed a car to get to the spas & tour.<<<

Did they also tell you it costs about 30-35€ a day to park your car in Florence and that you can't drive in the city center?

If you would state your actual itinerary, you would get better advice. If you are going to the spas at Montecatini Terme, it's an easy train ride from Florence.

Given the ZTLs (locals-only-driving zones) and the cost of parking, Florence does not make a good base for daytripping by car.

You could base in Siena, park for free, and daytrip into Florence by bus.

I just took a similar trip, which you can read about here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rugia-rome.cfm

If you do drive in Florence and Rome be sure you know where the restricted zones are, otherwise, as noted in prior posts, you can face a signifiant fine. If you need to go inside the zones to reach your hotel the hotel can take your license plate number and report it to the authorities for one euro, which supposedly avoids a fine.
I have rented cars in Italy several times just using my NY State drivers license - no one has ever required (or even mentioned) the international permit, but I suppose there would be no harm in getting one. Have a great trip!

Sorry for being too vague - we're going from Florence to Semproniano for a 2 day visit & were told by the hotel that we would need a car there to take advantage of the spas & wineries. So can we rent in Florence to drive there & then on to Rome, leaving the car in Orvieto and taking the train in to Rome.

>>>I have rented cars in Italy several times just using my NY State drivers license - no one has ever required (or even mentioned) the international permit, but I suppose there would be no harm in getting one.<<<

Actually, Italy requires it. Just because your rental company didn't ask for it (mine did), doesn't mean you won't need it if in a wreck or stopped by the police.

I doubt you could even get to Semproniano without a car. Unless you were planning to explore along the way, you could take the train from Florence to Orvieto or Chiusi and rent the car there.