I am planning a trip to Italy this July. I will travel with a party of 5 adults. We will have approximately 4 or 5 pieces of large luggage and perhaps each have a carry on bag. I have found what I consider to be a good rental deal on a 9 passenger Mercedes Vito mini bus through Auto Europa car rentals. The only thing that is keeping me from booking it is the fact that most people in Italy drive very small cars. Therefore the roads are smaller than here in the U.S.A. and it may be hard to park and navigate the smaller roads. We will travel in the mountain areas of Abruzzi near the Gran Sasso and also in the extreamly crowded turist area of Gaeta. Can anyone with experience with rental cars make a better suggestion than the Mercedes or reassure me that I will not have any problems with this choice. I don't believe that rental cars come with luggage racks but I am not positive. Thank you.

I would recommend a 7 passener minivan, if you are too budget-constrained. I think that the "small roads" myth is overwrought. Trucks and other vehicles much larger than any normal passenger car travel even the smallest roads in America and in Europe. Only some alleyways are notable exceptions. Admittedly, parking can take slightly more room, but it is rarely harder to simply keep looking for a bigger space, since - - yes, there are some "parking spaces" made for a "Ka" or "SmartCar" - - and five adults couldn't even STAND in the footprint of those little two-seaters, let alone put their vehicle into one.

If your plans merit driving (and lots of itineraries in Italy do), then they also merit providing a comfortable ride for all the passengers. Too often, the renter is the sole driver, and never experiences life in the back seat.

Best wishes,

Rex

You are traveling with a party of 5 adults so there will be a total of SIX adults. Am I understanding that correctly?

And each adult will not only have their large luggage pieces, but some may have a very large piece. And some will additionally have a carry-on, some of which are not so small, plus a camera bag, etc. etc.

If we are talking about six adults plus all the luggage, I am not sure even a seven passanger mini-van will be comfortable.

By all means, do NOT attempt to put luggage on top on a luggage rack. If you do, you will do nothing but worry about it every time you park in a public area, and leave the car unattended.

I have seen things as large a public mini-buses travers the narrow streets such as in Positano. While it may not be so convenient for parking and some very small alleys, a bigger factor is your comfort while in the vehicle and security of the luggage.

--Marv

Hi cool,

Have you considered two smaller cars?

As others have noted, you get the convenience of being able to split up if all of you can't agree on what to do for a particular day.

Two 4 seaters will be much less than a 9-seat van.

It's easier to find two small parking spaces than one large one.

You probably can't make do with a 7 passenger minivan and all the things you say you will have -- especially if the pieces of luggage are mostly 26 inchers or larger. I'd also wonder whether two compact cars would suffice, again mainly because of the luggage. But if it's possible to put 3 of your party of 5 or 6 (don't know which) in one car and the others in the other car, there should be room for more luggage on the back seat of each car as well as the trunk--so ira's suggestion might work out well for you.

Hi, an appreciative thank you to everyone that responded to my post. I want to claify that I will travel with four adults therefore the total number in the car will be five. I should have clarified that initially.

I'm in the same boat and have a reservation with auto europa through auto europe. Something else to consider. Auto Europa's insurance is a bit different -- you apparently are not covered in a single vehicle accident. So if you are skidding off the road, aim for another car!

Get the 9 passenger van and do not worry--it is the same as driving in CA or Colorado. It is only tight in the cities.

Well, I have photos of our going through one of the streets in Assisi, in a Fiat. The street was so narrow that my DH had to pull over to the left of the street just so I could get out and take a photo of the car from the rear. I could hardly get out of the door.

So guess it depends where you will be traveling to.

I personally like the idea of renting two cars. With that many people it would not be uncommon for some to want to do one thing and others to do something else. So two cars would solve that problem.

Also, if leaving the car or cars parked I would never leave luggage in the rear seat. Do make sure that the luggage will fit in the trunk, out of sight.

Just my thoughts from having a rental car in Italy several times.

Cooltones57,
I'd be interested in that price quote for a 9 passenger van, generally with vans of that size two compact cars are typically less.

A 9 passenger van does seem a bit of overkill for 5 passengers plus luggage.

For roads, I'll assume you are referring to roads in towns which can be narrow. Of course Autostrade and other main roads between towns are certainly standard size....with some two lane rural roads a bit extra wide to allow passing up the middle with oncoming traffic. For towns, well its hard to know what towns you'll encounter and what roads in that town but generally speaking they can be very tight, especially for a 9 passenger van. At times you need to fold in the side mirrors to get through. I would definitely look into two compact cars not only for rental price but manuevering, parking and the chance part of your group wants to do one thing and the other another it does allow for that flexibility. However, on the downside operating two cars will cost you more in tolls and gas....another thing to consider.

Enjoy your trip whatever you decide.

We have driven in Italy many times in a mid-size car. The roads are fabulous, but the towns are a challenge. My advice: rent two mid-size cars, and take lots less luggage.