I haven't booked our rental car for next month's trip. We will be picking up the car to leave Venice and drive through Tuscany, dropping off and staying in Rome for several more days.<BR><BR>People say that Rome is such a nightmare - should we drop off in some smaller town outside of Rome and take the train in? In Rome we are staying near the Spanish Steps.<BR><BR>If so, which rental agency might be best for that pick up/drop off scenario?

Use Autoeurope--drop in Orvieto and spend some time there and then train into Rome--taxi to hotel.

We drove into Rome several years ago and if you time it right its doable but why would you want to.Orvieto as mentioned is a great option.

I tell a very funny story of our car rental return in Rome while on our honeymoon.<BR>Without telling the story best not to drive into Rome! Ok summary &quot;It is easy to find&quot;(underground,sign size of license plate)Pouring rain,blackout,driving in circles for 3 hrs,no taxi,walk to hotel(wet),no hot water,sucks! RR

In Rome, many of the car rental companies have a branch near the termini station. Access to that area off the main highway is managable. Once you approach the city center it is quite difficult with all the tiny one-way roads. As long as it's not rush hour, you should be able to handle this location to drop off the car. Don't even try driving directly to the hotel first, get rid of the car and taxi to the hotel.

Does Autoeurope have a drop in Orvieto? We usually use them, but in October only agency we found who'd let us pick up in Venice (Piazzale Roma) and drop in Orvieto was Hertz. Train into Rome was a lot easier than driving.<BR>If you train, be sure you use the official taxi stand at Rome Termini. We didn't and got ripped off. (Should have known better!!!)

Whatever you do, do NOT drive in Rome! My husband and I thought we would either be divorced or killed before we found our way out of there...we were just trying to leave and drive to Siena. It was a total nightmare, and we have driven a LOT in Europe.

What about dropping the rental car off at Rome FCO airport around 8:00 p.m.? Will this be a big headache?

When I rent a car and want to turn it in upon arrival at/near Rome, I always drive it to the Rome Fiumicino airport, where every rental agency has a facility. Then I get a taxi or bus into town, and I use foot power or taxis to get around in Rome. I agree with the others---it doesn't make sense to have a car for daily use in Rome.