Leaving for Italy in 3 weeks. Trying to reserve the rental car and had a few questions.

1. Which location should we pick up the rental car from in Florence? There are 3 choices listed: Airport, Downtown-Via Borgo Ognissanti or City- Gersonmino. Looking for the most convenient and easiest to get out of the city and tour Chianti from. I'm a little nervous about driving in Florence. We originally wanted to pick up the car in Sienna but it will be Sunday and the rental car office is closed. We will be arriving by train from Venice and immediately going to pick up rental car.

2. What size car should I get. I am inclined to go with the cheapest (economy) and it lists a Lancia and a Punto- I am not familiar with either. Will this be okay for my husband and I? We are not packing anything but our backpacks, but will this car have enough power to go up hills?

Thanks in advance!

I'll pass on #1 and on #2 I'll say that the cheapest is also the tiniest and the tinniest. Therefore, step up to the "Compact" size. I don't think there's much of a cost difference, is there?

The tiny cars in Italy looked more like enclosed motor scooters.

I've had a Punto and there's nothing wrong with it for 2 people. The Italian drivers are going to zip up behind you, tailgate you, then whiz around you on a blind curve uphill at 150 mph anyway, so what's the difference? A compact won't help, believe me.

As for #1, you have a bit of a dilemma. If you are arriving by train, one of the city pick ups will be closest. On the other hand, the airport is a short taxi ride from the train station (maybe 20 min) and easy to get on a main highway and avoid driving in Florence.

You will just have to decide which is more important. Personally, I have driven around Tuscany several times, but I have a horror of driving in a city like Florence, so I'd spend the extra time and money to pick up at the airport.

Your response was helpful because I was not aware that the Airport location was the one that was "outside" of town. I think I will probably go with that one.

Still not sure about the size thing. In a way I think a smaller car would be easier to maneuver around narrow roads.

tiff, the compact size is VERY maneuverable, believe me. Marilyn doesn't seem to mind the Punto. Oh well.

BTW, what's the price difference?

Just checked, on AutoEurope the difference is over $100 between econ. and compact! Looks like I will be going with the Economy. Also, does $194 for 3 days/econ seem high? And does anyone know if I should drop off at the Pisa Airport location or the Downtown-Via Pegli location?
Thanks again!

One other thing you might consider is having a trunk that will fit your luggage stowed out of sight. I hear theft is a concern with rental cars, but we had no problems with ours.

the punto is a great automobile for two. plenty of comfortable room for two plus plentifull cargo space.

pick it up in town to avoid the airport surcharge.

194 US dollars is VERY high for a three day rental (particularly if over a weekend). they may be charging you a "drop off" rate for vehicles not returning to the same destination. keep checking rates with that in mind. don't be afraid to negotiate.

one trick is: american express will pick up insurance (very high and mandatory in italy). but check to make sure. i've always done it on my business card. it may not be applicable on personal card charges.

whatever, the rate you were quoted is outrageously high.

I meant 194 euro but still high I think. Looks like Thrifty has much better rates. Although if you have to buy the Super CDR and TR insurance it raises the price 24 euro per day. Without purchasing this, there is a very high deductible- even if my amex will pick up the insurance.

tiffpolm, I've got some bad news for you. 194 euros is MORE than 194 dollars.

Yes, it is high. For comparison, we rented a car in July that was a little more expensive than economy (we had 4 people part of the time and wanted to be sure we had a 4-door). I can't remember the model, but it did have air con. We picked it up in Orvieto and dropped it at the Rome airport. The cost was $226 for 4 days.

The agency was Avis, but the deal was done through AutoEurope. Don't know why yours is so much more per day.

194 EUR is about $220. Are you saying that's the "economy" price? And that the "compact" is $100 more or $320 for three days? I don't understand.

Okay. Sorry. I went back and checked the price on AutoEurope and I was quoted was dollars. So I was right the first time. $194 for 3 day economy class and $298 for 3 day compact. I am trying to work and do this at the same time so I got a little thrown off. Still leaning towards Thrifty though.

I believe that Autoeurope's policy is to meet or beat any competitor's price, so it's worth it to call and ask. (1-888-223-5555)

That 194€ price quote includes everything, you realize: Rates include unlimited mileage, mandatory public liability insurancem, fire insurance, collision damage waiver, theft protection with zero deductible, and the value added tax of 20%. Rates include the madatory surcharge of 14% for rentals commencing at airports. CDW and theft insurance are mandatory. Rentals will incur a mandatory road fee of US$2.45 per day with a maximum charge of US$45.00 paid locally.

I wonder if you add all that in to the Thrifty price will it end up still being cheaper?

Still does seem high to me.

Our road fee showed up on our credit card after our return.

marilyn- did you use Thrifty?

I am confused because I printed the Thrifty rental conditions and on the first line it says the web rate includes the airport fee (14%) and on the next line it say the web rate does not include the airport fee. Also, when I add in the Super CDW and TP,(which you have to have to avoid a high deductible), plus the one-way fee and possibly a refueling charge, it comes out to not much less than AutoEurope. Why is this so difficult? It feels like a big huge scam.

Sorry, tiffpolm, we used Autoeurope, and the car was from Avis, i.e., we picked the car up at Avis and dropped it at Avis, but the payment and arrangements were made through Autoeurope.

I think it feels like a scam because renting a car in Italy IS expensive. There are a lot of extra fees and the insurance is a killer (but the drivers are nuts). I wouldn't consider the refueling charge -- you should be able to gas up before you return the car, no?

In the end, it's a great place to be driving around and well worth it. Find the best price you can and don't worry about whether you could have saved $50. It's not a lot in the overall scheme of things.

I reserved a car in Italy for 10 days at a cost of 433 euros.Total with everything.It is a 5 door Renault Clio. Also, 293 euros for a week in Sicily.(same car)I found Alamo to be cheaper than Autoeurope. Rentalcarmomma.com uses Alamo and you get their travel agent discount codes.