Train Travel from Rome to Siena
 

There are 6 in our group and we are flying into Rome and staying for 4 days and traveling to Siena, then to the Amalfi Coast. We are contemplating renting a vehicle for Tuscany and Amalfi and want to know if we can take train from Rome, rent a vehicle in Siena for a week. We are concerned that we need a large vehicle to transport our luggage from location to location, however, we would not require that large of a vehicle for our two weeks' stay. Any thoughts on this would be most appreciated. By the way, we were quoted $2,000 for a vehicle large enough to accommodate us and our luggage for the entire 2 weeks.

I would rent 2 cars for less and have the flexibility for seperate day trips. Make one a wagon.

From Rome, you can take the bus (like a tour bus, not city bus) to Siena so your luggage would be stored underneath. The bus is as fast as the train and there are 10-12 departures daily. The bus departs from Rome's Tiburtina station which is a major bus hub and on the metro (a couple of stops from Termini).
http://www.sena.it/Home/78-1-en.html

There are several rental car locations in Siena so you could easily pick up your car there. Check AutoEurope's website for rates, but you must match companies when selecting pick up and drop off locations. If you select a Hertz pick up address and an Avis drop off, it will say not available.

Are you flying out of Rome also or Naples?

Bus is clean and in good repair and will drop you off at the top of the hill IN Sienna instead of at the bottom of the hill OUTSIDE Sienna, as the train will do. At the train station, you would then have to take taxis to get up to your hotel.

The bus station in Rome is across the street from the Tiburtina Train station and a little hidden from view. You will go all the way to the back of the bus lot (not the first ticket window/building you see) to buy your tickets and get on the bus.

Your major problem will be the availability of the auto that you desire for 6. I did a quick Hertz check, as they're the easist to get quotes and vehicles listed.

In Florence, they do have vehicles large enough, but not in Siena. Pricing is similar to what you've seen.

Major Caveat: Getting your travel mates to limit themselves to one 20"-22" bags each. You're not going to fit your luggage in your vehicle if anyone violates this rule.

We are flying in and out of Rome.

We are flying in and out of Rome.

What time of year are you traveling and where are you going on the Amalfi coast? Are booked into some place that guarantees you parking?

Having any kind of vehicle on the Amalfi coast during peak tourist times in the peak tourist towns can be really problematic. Not only is it very hard to find parking, driving can land you in a traffic jam if you go day tripping, whereas taking a ferry gets you where you want to go.

You might want to drop off your car rental(s) on your way south or in Salerno -- although transporting 6 of you from the Amalfi coast back to Rome may not be easy or cheap either depending on where you are staying on the coast.