Car Rental in Rome for Tuscany?
Feb 6th, 2001, 05:57 PM
#1
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Car Rental in Rome for Tuscany?
I was just wondering where the best place to rent a car in Rome is?
After staying in Rome for 3 days (Campo Dei Fiori) we are renting a car and driving north to the Sacro Bosco in Bagnoregio and on up to Tuscany for a few days before dropping the car in Florence.
I have reserved 2 vans for 11 people through Avis who had the best rates of the 3 places I checked.
Right now I'm compiling driving routes and just realized that we are picking up our van at the Fiumicino airport and then heading north, so the airport pickup is way out of the way.
Anybody have any recommendations? Does Avis have a better pick-up location in Rome?
Is it better to rent from someone else?
Thanks for your suggestions,
Cindy Hilton
After staying in Rome for 3 days (Campo Dei Fiori) we are renting a car and driving north to the Sacro Bosco in Bagnoregio and on up to Tuscany for a few days before dropping the car in Florence.
I have reserved 2 vans for 11 people through Avis who had the best rates of the 3 places I checked.
Right now I'm compiling driving routes and just realized that we are picking up our van at the Fiumicino airport and then heading north, so the airport pickup is way out of the way.
Anybody have any recommendations? Does Avis have a better pick-up location in Rome?
Is it better to rent from someone else?
Thanks for your suggestions,
Cindy Hilton
Feb 6th, 2001, 06:08 PM
#2
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Cindy
We have picked up cars both in Rome and Paris through Hertz, and we request they bring the car to our hotel.Works great that way, and also we leave early in the A.M. on a Sat. or Sunday,so we can get out of the city with a little less confusion.
We have picked up cars both in Rome and Paris through Hertz, and we request they bring the car to our hotel.Works great that way, and also we leave early in the A.M. on a Sat. or Sunday,so we can get out of the city with a little less confusion.
Feb 6th, 2001, 07:02 PM
#3
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In my not-so-humble opinion, driving in Rome is a living nightmare! I, too, have had cars delivered to the hotel to drive to further points. What a great way to start your day!!! I've sworn off any driving there (and, really any metropolis) short of some dire emergency. I can't imagine that driving a van (2 vans?) would improve this picture. The big plus to picking up the vans at the airport is that you will have nuttin' but highways to speed you on your way North (and I do mean "speed"). You can easily catch the ring road and get North before you hit the edge of city traffic and avoid local driving all together. This is a good thing!
Feb 7th, 2001, 08:28 AM
#4
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We always rent cars. In Italy, if they require theft and collision insurance...buy it. If they don't require it....buy it.
Even though we had a car in Rome we never used it. We would taxi each morning to the area of town we were hitting and would taxi in at night. We never knew where we were going to be and it was just easier.
We used the car to drive north to Florence, stopping in Siena. Siena is a walled city so you have to park outside the wall and walk in. We parked high on the curb (like everyone else) but when we came out, we had a huge dent in the car. I'm sure there are a lot of hit and runs in Italy.
The biggest challenge is Florence with its very narrow roads and tons of one way streets (in the old part of the city where all the sites are).
You will have the most trouble with the vans in Florence. You may have to park near the river on the outs of the old city and walk in for site seeing. Tons of Piazzas everywhere and you can't drive into them.
Of course a lot of this isn't a worry if you have a designated driver dropping you off and picking you up.
Even though we had a car in Rome we never used it. We would taxi each morning to the area of town we were hitting and would taxi in at night. We never knew where we were going to be and it was just easier.
We used the car to drive north to Florence, stopping in Siena. Siena is a walled city so you have to park outside the wall and walk in. We parked high on the curb (like everyone else) but when we came out, we had a huge dent in the car. I'm sure there are a lot of hit and runs in Italy.
The biggest challenge is Florence with its very narrow roads and tons of one way streets (in the old part of the city where all the sites are).
You will have the most trouble with the vans in Florence. You may have to park near the river on the outs of the old city and walk in for site seeing. Tons of Piazzas everywhere and you can't drive into them.
Of course a lot of this isn't a worry if you have a designated driver dropping you off and picking you up.
Feb 7th, 2001, 08:41 AM
#5
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I am under the impression that taking a car from any airport location in Italy adds a lot to the total car rental cost. At least when I checked prices there was a significant difference. Also , getting 11 people to the airport is a considerable expense. Driving out of the airport location is much easier than driving out of town. It is very well marked and highway all the way. So there are pros and cons for both. I know people who have had cars delivered to the hotel, but that still requires driving out of the city. Most of the rental agencies have more than one location for pickup and if you call the toll free International numbers they will tell you where they are located exactly. Two of the drivers could also go to a location, and return to the hotel for the other passengers if having the car delivered to the hotel is not an option. The bottom line is that it is probably cheaper to drive out of Rome proper, harder for that many people to get to the airport, but easier to get out of. I don't envy you solving this dilema. Any chance someone else in the group will take the responsibility in case it doesn't work out? Just kidding. Good luck.
Feb 7th, 2001, 10:23 AM
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Something just doesn't sound right, Cindy. I hope that the quote Avis gave you includes EVERYTHNG you need (flat rental rate + insurances + VAT). Otherwise you'll have a big surprise and it would be better to start from scratch. Ave you got a quote from AutoEurope and Kemwel, car rental wholesalers?
Judith put it very well. No matter what, do buy CDW and theft insurances (liability and fire should be included in flat rental rate).
Fiumicino Airport pickup? Avis guys must be kidding you. Did their quote include the MANDATORY surcharge of 12% over the WHOLE rental costs?
Anyway, that's not what you asked
Most major car rental companies have offices/pickup locations in the Via Veneto/Villa Borghese area. You shouldn't have any problems at all driving out from the center. At the car rental office they'll give you the directions and even if you loose yourself all you have to do is to look for the green A1 Autotrada signs. Once you hit the GRA (Gran Accordo Annulare) you're in business.
AVIS has a number of rental locations in Rome, besides the two airports and Termini station. Three of them may be worth mentioning, considering the location relative to Campo de' Fiori:
Roma Via Sardegna
Via Sardegna 38A tel: (39) 06-42824728
Sun 800am to 100pm,
Mon - Fri 800am to 800pm,
Sat 800am to 500pm
Location Code:RO1
To get there you may take bus #116 (Via Veneto) and step of when the bus gets to Villa Borghese park
Roma S. Pietro
Via Della Giuliana 25; tel (39) 06-39742361
Sun Closed,
Mon - Fri 800am to 700pm
Sat 800am to 100pm
Location Code
L7
This is north of St. Peter's; to get there one may use bus #70 (Ple. Clodio)
Roma Via Urbana
Via Urbana 177; tel (39) 06-4817620
Sun Closed,
Mon - Fri 800am to 1230pm, 330pm to 600pm,
Sat 800am to 100pm
Location Code:R1U
To get there one may take bus #70 (Via Giolitti).
Considering you're driving north, the best option may be the first one above. They'll probably direct you to take Via Nomentana, directly north to the GRA.
Paulo
Judith put it very well. No matter what, do buy CDW and theft insurances (liability and fire should be included in flat rental rate).
Fiumicino Airport pickup? Avis guys must be kidding you. Did their quote include the MANDATORY surcharge of 12% over the WHOLE rental costs?
Anyway, that's not what you asked
Most major car rental companies have offices/pickup locations in the Via Veneto/Villa Borghese area. You shouldn't have any problems at all driving out from the center. At the car rental office they'll give you the directions and even if you loose yourself all you have to do is to look for the green A1 Autotrada signs. Once you hit the GRA (Gran Accordo Annulare) you're in business.
AVIS has a number of rental locations in Rome, besides the two airports and Termini station. Three of them may be worth mentioning, considering the location relative to Campo de' Fiori:
Roma Via Sardegna
Via Sardegna 38A tel: (39) 06-42824728
Sun 800am to 100pm,
Mon - Fri 800am to 800pm,
Sat 800am to 500pm
Location Code:RO1
To get there you may take bus #116 (Via Veneto) and step of when the bus gets to Villa Borghese park
Roma S. Pietro
Via Della Giuliana 25; tel (39) 06-39742361
Sun Closed,
Mon - Fri 800am to 700pm
Sat 800am to 100pm
Location Code
L7 This is north of St. Peter's; to get there one may use bus #70 (Ple. Clodio)
Roma Via Urbana
Via Urbana 177; tel (39) 06-4817620
Sun Closed,
Mon - Fri 800am to 1230pm, 330pm to 600pm,
Sat 800am to 100pm
Location Code:R1U
To get there one may take bus #70 (Via Giolitti).
Considering you're driving north, the best option may be the first one above. They'll probably direct you to take Via Nomentana, directly north to the GRA.
Paulo
Feb 7th, 2001, 01:20 PM
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Related question. I have heard that renting a car in another country (like in Nice, FR)and driving it into Italy does not require you to have the theft insurance. Don't the gold credit cards cover theft - I just read the fine print on mine and it said it did. I want a car for Italy and southern Germany and then into France and it looked like picking it up in Nice would save me ALOT on a two to three week rental. Any one have any experience/suggestion with this?
Feb 7th, 2001, 02:02 PM
#10
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Addressing related question: We've picked up cars in Italy, Switzerland, Germany and driven into France, but never have we had a car picked up in France that was to be taken into Italy. Having drivin there, I've never questioned this policy! I'm pretty sure that if we had sneaked across the border into Italy and something happened to the car, all bets were off! Check the fine print in your insurance coverage and the specifics of your rental company.
Feb 7th, 2001, 02:24 PM
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The credit card companys list several countries that you can't take a car into (all in Eastern Europe) but Italy is on the "OK" list. So it wouldn't be sneaking it in. The credit card guys say it would be fine I just am nervous that it's required in Italy but not elsewhere. I would like to hear from someone who has done it (or knows someone who has). I got the idea not because I was trying to find a way to bypass the theft insurance, but because I would like to start in Nice and drive the Italian riviera into the rest of Italy. I want to be covered but I don't want to pay for something I don't need. I know some people buy the CDW from the rental company even though its covered by the credit card. Is this similiar?
Feb 7th, 2001, 09:55 PM
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I just wanted to mention one little thing to add to your research. You may want to ask about insurance on a second driver should you be sharing the driving . I'm renting a car in France and I have to purchase additional insurance for a second driver. The first driver is covered. This is with Hertz.
Feb 7th, 2001, 10:36 PM
#14
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Hi Cindy:
We have rented cars in Europe, including Italy, at least 15 times and have found Auto Europe (800-223-5555 or www.autoeurope.com) to be the most convenient and economical.. They usually use Europcar, which has airport and city locations. Some thoughts about car rentals in Italy: 1. You will be required to buy CDW and theft insurance at $20 to $25 a day, depending on the car you rent. Your gold or platinum cards don't work in bella Italia. 2. Airport pickups usually have a 5 to 10 % surcharge. 3. Rome isn't that bad to drive in if you stay away from the morning, noon afternoon and evening rush hours. (Everyone goes home for lunch and a nap). 4. Try to get diesel powered vehicles. Diesel fuel is widely available and about 25% less expensive than gasoline. 5. If you use the autostrade, be prepared to pay the eqivalent of about 10 cents a mile in tolls. Have plenty of Lire. 6. Parking is tough in Florence. If you are staying in or near the center, I suggest you turn in the vehicles and use buses, walk or take taxis.
Have a good trip.
Ciao, Chet
We have rented cars in Europe, including Italy, at least 15 times and have found Auto Europe (800-223-5555 or www.autoeurope.com) to be the most convenient and economical.. They usually use Europcar, which has airport and city locations. Some thoughts about car rentals in Italy: 1. You will be required to buy CDW and theft insurance at $20 to $25 a day, depending on the car you rent. Your gold or platinum cards don't work in bella Italia. 2. Airport pickups usually have a 5 to 10 % surcharge. 3. Rome isn't that bad to drive in if you stay away from the morning, noon afternoon and evening rush hours. (Everyone goes home for lunch and a nap). 4. Try to get diesel powered vehicles. Diesel fuel is widely available and about 25% less expensive than gasoline. 5. If you use the autostrade, be prepared to pay the eqivalent of about 10 cents a mile in tolls. Have plenty of Lire. 6. Parking is tough in Florence. If you are staying in or near the center, I suggest you turn in the vehicles and use buses, walk or take taxis.
Have a good trip.
Ciao, Chet
Feb 8th, 2001, 05:13 AM
#15
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Feb 8th, 2001, 07:36 AM
#17
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Cindy and also Chet. I have mentioned this before, but it always seems to fall through the cracks. I rented a car in Italy (Florence) from Hertz and I DID use my Platinum MasterCard for the CDW Insurance. I was required to buy the Theft Protection, but I was allowed to bypass the CDW. Now, I will agree that there are not a lot of cards that will allow you to do this. And I will say that not all of the car rental companies that will allow you to do this (AutoEurope would not). But I honestly did this last year and saved a hefty amount on the total price of my rental. I am not saying that things may not have changed since last August, but it may be worth looking into. I still have the rental voucher.
Feb 8th, 2001, 09:03 AM
#18
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Response to Ann.
It is a lot cheaper to rent your car outside of Italy i.e. Nice. Then you can drive it into Italy or any other western European country without having to buy CDW or theft insurance using you gold Mastercard or Visa Card. This coverage is good in Italy, but not good if originally renting in Italy. I have rented cars in Germany and France many times and traveled into Italy. Check the summary guides for each card. My Gold Mastercard covers rentals for 15 days while my Gold Visa covers 31 day rentals. It is very important to read the latest summary guides for each card before renting.
It is a lot cheaper to rent your car outside of Italy i.e. Nice. Then you can drive it into Italy or any other western European country without having to buy CDW or theft insurance using you gold Mastercard or Visa Card. This coverage is good in Italy, but not good if originally renting in Italy. I have rented cars in Germany and France many times and traveled into Italy. Check the summary guides for each card. My Gold Mastercard covers rentals for 15 days while my Gold Visa covers 31 day rentals. It is very important to read the latest summary guides for each card before renting.
Feb 8th, 2001, 02:32 PM
#19
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Thank you to Jim. I knew there had to be someone out there who had done what I am planning. So I take it from your message that it would be a safe thing to do. It does seem to save a lot of money (plus the air fare to Nice is much less than the air fare to Rome) and it's the itinerary I want anyway. Thanks
Feb 9th, 2001, 03:51 AM
#20
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To Cindy
I'll insist that you should NOT get the vans AT the AIRPORT. It doesn't make sense at all. If you add the airport surcharge of the 12% over the entire rental costs of both vans, plus getting all your party to the aiport you'd have money enough to hire a limousine to lead your way out of the city if you wish. Also, by the time you get your party to the airport and fill the paperwork you'd be already on A1 Autostrada if you pick up your car in the Via Veneto/Villa Borghese area.
Whoever tells you that it's a nightmare getting the car in Via Veneto area and driving north to the GRA and A1 has never really done it ... and hasn't got a clue on what he's talikng about.
From the rental pickup location, one is either directed to Via Nomentana or to Via Salaria (depending on rental company). Both throughways are close to the Via Veneto area and both GO STRAIGHT to the GRA. If one's on Via Salaria, one has to take the GRA to the east (Clockwise) and after a mile or so, to the north on A1. If one's on Via Nomentana, one tales the GRA to the west (counterclockwise) and after about 3 miles to the north on A1.
When asking Autoeurope or Kemwel a quote, specify you want the car delivered downtown. After everything else has been settled you'll know from which rental company you'll be getting the vans (AutoEurope and Kemwel don't have cars, they're wholesalers). Then it's time to specify the Via Veneto/Villa Borghese area as the pick up place.
Paulo
I'll insist that you should NOT get the vans AT the AIRPORT. It doesn't make sense at all. If you add the airport surcharge of the 12% over the entire rental costs of both vans, plus getting all your party to the aiport you'd have money enough to hire a limousine to lead your way out of the city if you wish. Also, by the time you get your party to the airport and fill the paperwork you'd be already on A1 Autostrada if you pick up your car in the Via Veneto/Villa Borghese area.
Whoever tells you that it's a nightmare getting the car in Via Veneto area and driving north to the GRA and A1 has never really done it ... and hasn't got a clue on what he's talikng about.
From the rental pickup location, one is either directed to Via Nomentana or to Via Salaria (depending on rental company). Both throughways are close to the Via Veneto area and both GO STRAIGHT to the GRA. If one's on Via Salaria, one has to take the GRA to the east (Clockwise) and after a mile or so, to the north on A1. If one's on Via Nomentana, one tales the GRA to the west (counterclockwise) and after about 3 miles to the north on A1.
When asking Autoeurope or Kemwel a quote, specify you want the car delivered downtown. After everything else has been settled you'll know from which rental company you'll be getting the vans (AutoEurope and Kemwel don't have cars, they're wholesalers). Then it's time to specify the Via Veneto/Villa Borghese area as the pick up place.
Paulo
