Our little band of three (me, husband, and 10 month old son) will land at FCO on Saturday am and have to pick up a rental car. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on how to make this process go smoothly given we'll have 1) a tired baby, 2) two tired parents and 3) a lot of gear.

I'm wondering if we should all go to the car rental place together or if it is better to send one of us (i.e., my husband) to go get the car and then pick me and the baby up at baggage claim with the car? I usually am of the mind that we should all stick together, but in this instance, maybe divide and conquer is the better approach.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

-Kellie

So is the renal car at the airport or elsewhere? As you know, no one can anticipate what things may or may not happen that could prevent things from going smoothly. Pare the gear down as much as possible, fly when the baby is normally sleeping and YOU BOTH need to figure out a way to get some sleep on the plane.

I saw you should all stick together wherever your car is. If he goes off to another location and something occurs that could delay him, you would never know and would be so worried. Are you driving away from Rome as soon as you get the car? If not, maybe you and the baby could take a cab tot he hotel while he gets the car.

I think that in this case it would probably be wise to stick together. The rental car agencies are not too easy to find, and they take some walking to get to. The rental cars themselves are, I believe, on the fourth floor of the parking garage. I could see how that would be a pain with a small child, but Rome's airport is very busy and bustling and I don't think I would want to be separated and I also don't think I would want one person to watch over all the luggage and the baby. Not that anything has ever happened to my luggage at FCO, but I would definitely keep a close eye on everything.

Good luck!
Tracy

kellbell,
I suggest going to this website:

http://www.adr.it/servizispeciali/en...fiumicino.html

It has a map of the airport and alot of information on how to find your way around, as well as where things are located and how to get information once you are in the airport. It is in English.

It will really help you make the best decision on how to plan the logistics in advance, and also how to deal with any potential last minute changes in your plan.

IMO, you would do best to stick together unless you and the parents are experienced travelers and have been to that airport before.

I am one of the parents! LOL! We've traveled a decent amount and this will be our second time to FCO, but we took trains everywhere on our first trip. Renting a car is going to be a whole new experience.

Thanks for the link to the English FCO information site.

I immediately keyed in on the fact that FCO has a nursery -- with a bottle warmer, beds, and a changing table! That's amazing! Best we seem to do in the States is a changing table in our restrooms!!

-Kellie

Just found this, too. . . seems to be very helpful!

http://www.slowtrav.com/Italy/drivin...ental_rome.htm