If I rent a car, (6-9 to 6-13) how difficult is it to find parking in the city w/easy access to the sites, does it require a special permit to drive city streets if so how is it obtained, is a special parking decal required to park if a spot is found on the streets or is there a central parking garage that usually has availability. ANy idea of daily parking rates? Suggestions?

Is there a reason you are renting a car while in Rome? Most people walk, use the bus, metro, or taxis. It is not a car friendly city. My suggestion is- if you have no particular reason for a car then don't rent one.

I agree, you don't really need a car to get around, and once you see how they park, you'll be glad you don't have a car!

If you need the car for another part of the trip, rent it as you're leaving Rome. You really don't want to drive in Rome. Much better to walk and take the bus (or metro, although I've never taken the metro in all my trips there).

>>>does it require a special permit to drive city streets<<<

Yes, you can get one by living in the restricted areas.

Here is a map of where you can't drive.
http://www.agenziamobilita.roma.it/ztl/ztl.html

I just realized that you're the guy who is staying so far from the center of Rome in order to use points. Take the money you would spend to rent a car and park and put it towards a hotel or apartment in the center of the city. You will be so glad you did!

I've lived and driven cars in NYC and LA and Chicago. My husband and I have driven all over France, Spain and Italy. One city we absolutely refused to even consider driving in was Rome. (Although we did the "outskirts" to see the fountains at Villa d'Este when we were staying in Frescati for a night on our way to the Amalfi Coast after picking my sister up at the Rome airport) The other was Barcelona, Spain (we parked at the airport and left the empty rental car there for the 5 nights we stayed in Barcelona.)

Thanks guys for the info just looking for pros and cons to give my husband when he suggests the idea. I suspected what you have all said would be the case, but since I have never been there, I was not in a position to know for sure. Again you guys are the best

Now I've read your other thread. I think you are going to need to think out of the box here, to accomplish your goals. Find out how - and perhaps a Marriott's concierge service can help you before you get there - to take a taxi in the morning to a place where you can take public (and less expensive than a taxi - but with 5 people that may require some research) transportation into an part of central Rome - where you can explore a great deal on foot, then return after dinner (it will be light until about 10PM in June) to your hotel. Then repeat the next day to a different part of Rome, etc. The maps kybourbon provided of where you CAN'T drive or park really show how difficult it is to get around the city if you're not staying right IN the central part of the city.

Here is one website, Joestrip, regarding having a car in Rome when there as a visitor.

http://www.romanhomes.com/your_roman...ng-in-rome.htm

If you Google and put Rome Parking into the search you will find many websites addressing the situation about having a car in Rome. All negative. Best regards and do enjoy your trip!

The Marriott Courtyard Central Park Rome is very close to Gemelli, a regional-train stop. The trains run until midnight, more or less, and a ticket costs 1 Euro (including a transfer to or from a bus or tram or the Metro).

The Marriott Park Rome, on the other hand, is at the back of beyond, and they aren't exactly giving away their shuttle to central Rome at 10 Euro a pop. The closest regional-train station is Muratella, around 1.3 miles and 25 minutes away on foot. If the hotel calls you a cab, heaven only knows where it will come from, and the meter starts running when the cabbie gets the call (at least under the present rules, which are supposed to change soon). On your way *back* to the hotel, you will most likely not find a cab at that train station, but you will find one at piazzale Cina, piazzale Giulio Douhet, via Laurentina, viale Europa, Piazza G. Marconi. These taxi stands are close to the last Metro stops on Metro line B, direction Laurentina. Be aware also that there is a surcharge if there are over four passengers in a taxi.

Can you change your booking to four nights at the Courtyard?