MmePerdu

I agree, I think Pisa airport really does make the most sense. I'd definitely check, though, on the open hours of the car rental office there. Pisa serves the low fare airlines and open hours at airport locations sometimes depend on flight arrival times, which can be at odd hours with those airlines.

Last time I was in the vicinity I was meeting a friend in Lucca who was coming into Pisa from the UK. The flight was scheduled to arrived just after all the public transport stopped running so she had to pre-book a taxi to bring her to Lucca. You won't have that particular difficulty, but my point is do check the hours to be on the safe side. Things don't necessarily make sense.

zoecat

I agree with Jean-pick up your car in La Spezia. I've done so when leaving the CT and it was very easy. I took a taxi from the train station in La Spezia to the car rental office (Hertz) and from there it was easy to get on the highway heading south.

IMO, the second best option is to pick up the car at the Pisa airport. The airport is a 5-10 minute train ride from the Pisa central station. Exiting the airport rental office is easy.

Enjoy your trip!

jackiebowyer1

Thank you so much everyone! I booked through Autoeurope with Hertz. I will take a train from Vernazza to La Spezia to pick up my rental. I will drop off in Orvieta when I'm finished and train to Rome. I love this forum, it is so helpful!