Rental Car in Italy
 

We're leaving in a week for Italy and we decided to rent a car for a portion of our trip, we plan on picking it up at FCO when we land and then driving to our hotel on the amalfi coast.

My question is for when we are returning the car. We plan on returning it a few days before our flight because we don't want to have the car for our last few days in Rome. Where do you suggest dropping the rental off? Many rental agencies have locations throughout Rome and also at Termini. Or, should we drop it off elsewhere?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

Unless you have experience, driving in Rome's city-center can be a nightmare. To avoid it, it's best to drop your car at a location nearest the outer edge, which is usually some version of the Aurelian Wall. Since you'll be coming into Rome from the south, you'll need to research the southern most drop-off options. A good map and a phone call to your rental agency should get you the most up-to-date info you're seeking.

Your rental drop off agent should be happy to call you a taxi to take you to your Rome lodgings.

We always drop off at FCO when we drive back up to Rome...just saves us the hassle of dealing with city driving!

You could also drop it off in Naples, as we did, and take the train into Rome.

but then you have to drive in Naples! (ok...so the airport isn't TOO bad...but Rome is so much easier, IMHO)

Hi al,

>we plan on picking [the car] up at FCO when we land and then driving to our hotel on the amalfi coast. <

Are you sure that you want to drive for 3:30 hr (2:30 hr on the autostada) in jet-lagged condition?

What will you do with the car on the AC?

Where else are you going before returning to Rome?

((I))

Great idea! You should have no problem driving on the Amalfi Coast at this time of year. I assume you already have your hotel picked out. If not, let us know; many hotels offer parking; a few offer free parking.

I would return at Rome airport.

OR, return in Salerno, which is an easy drive from any of the main AC towns, and take the train back to Rome.

Yes, we will be a bit jet lagged, but we really don't want to deal with luggage on and off various trains and SITA buses in order to get to amalfi... we will actually be coming from Florence to Rome, and I'm on the fence about whether or not we will want the car for two days in florence? I'm thinking not, so I might try to return the car there...

Florence is a lot easier to navigate around. If you take a wrong turn, you won't go that far out of the way to get back on track. Florence is one of the few (big) cities in Italy where I find renting a moped fun. Returning a rental car there should be fairly stress free.