I've previously rented a car in Orvietto (after a few days in Rome) when headed to the Tuscany area. I just called Autoeurope and they no longer use the car rental agency there. I'm reluctant to rent a car at FCO given the long lines (I've heard) at the car rental booths. Where have others rented?

(Autoeurope suggested Foligno but that means leaving Rome very early to get to the rental office before the mid day closing.)

Thank you!

carolsc

We found that out last year and ended up renting with Hertz in Orvieto. The car itself was fine, but the clerk was rude and the GPS we rented was outdated, which made dropping off the car in Florence...interesting.

Lee Ann

Take the train to Chiusi instead. We've picked up cars & dropped them off in Chiusi several times.

Stu Dudley

I've rented from Foligno and Chiusi through Autoeurope for trips in and around Tuscany/Umbria. Assuming you're headed again to Tuscany, I would think that the office in Chiusi would be a decent option. Our car was from Europcar; it's a short walk from the train station.

All other things being equal (which they might not be), waiting in line for a car at FCO isn't necessary any more of a hassle than getting to Termini, taking a train, walking or taxi-ing to a rental office, maybe waiting in line there. It's not like catching a train in Termini isn't without it's own hassle--in my opinion and experience. So, I wouldn't necessarily rule out getting a car at FCO. We've avoided that option personally because my husband has no desire to drive upon our arrival in Rome with jet lag.

Now I need to call AutoEurope. Last weekend, I booked a car rental online (Hertz), picking up in Siena and dropping off in Orvieto. Surely the website wouldn't have allowed me to book something they no longer offer?

Chiusi, for sure.

@candj83, if you mean that you booked it via Autoeurope's website, I'm not sure how you could have even chosen Orvieto as the drop off site. It shows no option in Orvieto--and this has been true for well over a year. They had issues with the Hertz office there and dropped them. Hertz is still operating there, but it's not affiliated with Autoeurope. Good luck sorting it out.

I'm not sure either. I double-checked my autoeurope booking confirmation email and it shows Orvieto. Can't imagine how I managed to book something that's not available but I guess I've got magic powers! This is direct from my email, going to have to call them tomorrow:

Pick-Up
HERTZ
Apr 15, 2017 - 11:00
SIENA DOWNTOWN OFFICE
VIALE SARDEGNA 14 - SIENA , IT
Tel: 390 577 450 85
OPEN Mondays-Fridays 09:30 AM-noon, 03:30 PM-06:30 PM
OPEN Saturdays 09:00 AM-noon
CLOSED Sundays

Drop-Off
HERTZ
Apr 19, 2017 - 11:00
ORVIETO RAIL STATION
VIA 7 MARTIRI 32/F, ORVIETO
NO RRS SURCHARGE - ORVIETO , IT
Tel: 39 0763 301 303
OPEN Mondays-Fridays 08:30 AM-01:00 PM, 03:00 PM-07:00 PM
OPEN Saturdays 08:30 AM-01:00 PM
CLOSED Sundays

I just double checked my process on my iPad. I googled autoeurope Siena Italy. Clicked the webpage and it comes up with Siena - all locations selected for pick up location. Then, I checked "drop off at a different location" and then used the location picker button. Orvieto pops up in the option list and I selected it and proceeded with rental. So it's still showing up?! So strange.

AutoEurope/Kemwel probably had problems with picking up a car in Orvieto - but is OK with dropping one off there.

Stu Dudley

I think Stu is right--after playing some more on their site. Also, if you just try to type in Orvieto, it says no location can be found. You have to use their location picker to find it.

I'm surprised they'll let you drop a car off there if you can't rent from that location.

For what it's worth, I rented a car at FCO this June and didn't find it terribly crowded. Maybe we waited 10 minutes? This was my first time renting and driving out of FCO and it was pretty easy. In fact, we drove straight to Orvieto to have lunch and visit the Duomo.

I think there are also some rentals where you can get the car out near Villa Borghese so you don't have to drive through the thick of the center.

Thanks all for the replies! Very helpful.
Indyhiker and Leely2 - we will ponder renting at FCO vs Chiusi.

carolsc

We have rented cars at FCO and in Rome multiple times and don't recall long waits at all. Last one was Fall 2015.

Just got off the phone with AutoEurope (what an incredibly helpful bunch - definitely impressed with their customer service). Stu, you are 100% right, they had issues with customers showing up at Hertz in Orvieto and cars not being available to them. So, due to the unreliability, they dropped Orvieto Hertz as a pick-up location. They have no issues with cars being dropped off there, so it is still an option. Though as indyhiker has noted, the website is still a bit confusing as the option shows up in the drop down list but not when typed. Luckily for us, it all works out for our rental.

Carolsc, good luck with your plans! I don't know if this info helps you out or not but I hope it helps others wishing to rent from AutoEurope and dropping a car off in Orvieto.

I've dropped at that Hertz location (picked up in Siena) and you need to be careful. When you pick up in Siena, look the car over carefully (take pics/vids) and note any little dent/scratch on the pickup docs. The Orvieto Hertz office tried to claim some hail damage on the car was my fault.

I rented directly from Hertz, not AutoEurope. If you ever rent from Hertz, their contracts state they use DCC (small print on back) so be sure you prepay to avoid that. What I learned was some of their offices in Italy that are franchises and not their own corporate offices (both Orvieto and Siena are franchises), aren't very ethical. I didn't have any problems with the Siena office, only the Orvieto office.

I don't see the point of going all the way to FCO from Rome to pick up a car. That would be it's own hassle and Borghese would be easier or the Hertz location near the Vatican. It's close to the intersection of Via dell Argilla and Via Gregorio VII so is easy to head out to the ring road on Via Aurelia.

After much discussion about where to rent in Rome, we have finally decided (though not yet booked) to rent a car at FCO and to take the coastal route up into Chianti via Siena (we are staying in Panzano). Hopefully we will find a nice spot for lunch along the way and make it a somewhat leisurely trip not arriving until late afternoon.
Thanks again all!

carolsc