rbnwdln

Now that the air and hotels/apartments are booked, I need to think of the car rental. Some have advised renting a car at the Rome airport and driving from there to the Palazzo del Capitano. Others say train to Chiusi and then rent the car. Not sure yet what we are doing but how soon does it make sense to arrange the rental? Now? Should we wait until closer to the date of travel? Thanks!

NeoPatrick

I've learned that with places like AutoEurope you may get a great price by booking very early. If the prices go up, you won't have to pay the increase. But if the prices go down, you can rebook at the lower price. Seems like a no-fail proposition to me.

StuDudley

I agree with Neo.

We booked around Feb. I called twice after that, and the fares were lowered & they gave me a refund.

Stu Dudley

rbnwdln

I've never rented a car in Italy so can you tell me how you went about this? Did you look online? Did you call to reserve or can that be done online. We will need a car for 4 days and since I've never done this I wouldn't know a reasonable price if I saw one. Thanks!

TimS

While I haven't rented a car in Italy, I've used Auto Europe to book rental cars in Ireland and France. I did everything online at www.autoeurope.com. However, I've since read posts saying that it is good to call Auto Europe's toll-free number and ask if there are special deals that aren't available online.

NeoPatrick

Like most people I'm addicted to the internet, but I still book cars with AutoEurope by calling (although I may do some preliminary websearching first. If you know the cities you want to pick up and return, they can easily compare rates and tell you which places are cheaper or more convenient. I've always been amazed at how knowledgeable those people seem to be. And yes, invariably they have come up with a better rate than I found on the internet.
1-800-223-5555

GBC

Reserve a.s.a.p. Lock in a price. If they drop or if you find a better deal, you can cancel, revise, etc.

We picked up a car right in Rome. We were nervous but it worked out fine. Saves some money compared to pu at the airport.

Two hints that may help. Be sure to get a car large enough to hold all your stuff out of sight. Remote locking with an alarm system isn't a bad idea.
Secondly, get a diesel of you can.

Dukey

I just booked a car through AutoEurope for next July in France. Do it now.

rbnwdln

Thanks, I will give them a call. Still deciding if it is better to arrive at FCO and rent a car there and drive to San Q'uirico (or however you spell it) or take the train to Chiusi and then rent the car. I'm thinking the latter might be a bit easier and cheaper. Not sure.

ira

Hi RB,

IIRC, many folks have posted that getting out of FCO onto the main highway is not a problem.

I booked a car with AutoEurope in August for my upcoming European trip. Due to the rising Euro and other costs, the price is now 10% higher than it was then.

Check prices at www.autoeurope.com, www.novacarhire.com and www.gemut.com

rbnwdln

Thanks, Ira. So you think we should just pick up the car at the Rome airport? I know someone who just did this and drove to Tuscany no problems, other than getting lost once they got there. Maybe we should skip the train to Chiusi and drive from the airport. I will call Autoeurope tomorrow. Grazie!

NeoPatrick

Picking up a car and driving from the Rome airport is VERY easy. I can't imagine if your first destination is Tuscany, the reason for getting on a train at Rome airport, taking it into the city, changing trains, training to Chiusi, getting to Chiusi and getting to the auto rental place (I believe the Avis place right across from the station is no longer there, but you have to go up into the town), and then getting a car to drive the rest of the way. By the time you did all that you could be finishing your first bottle of wine at your Tuscany destination if you merely drove from the Rome airport!

ira

Hi rb,

Good advice from NP.

It's about 2:30 hr from FCO to SQ.

See www.viamichelin.com

Check prices at the places I gave you. AE will meet your lowest price, except for Gemut, as they are associates.

MyriamC

Do book the car now. You can always make changes or even cancel your booking if necessary.

TuckH

FYI - by 'booking' now, you're also paying now too - this far in advance...

robjame

Getting a quotation from Autoeurope now as it locks in your price but does not require you to pay now. However they have a spiff on now whereby paying before Christmas (in American or Canadian dollars) saves you an additional 10%. This is fully refendable. Their best rate is always on the internet but phone and they will match (usually) another company's rate. I also received an email lately that booking now gives you a free upgrade. These specials usually depend on the country.

ira

>by 'booking' now, you're also paying now too - this far in advance...<

So what is the interest earned on $800 over 7 mos?

What if, as in my case, the Euro appreciates 8%?

If the price goes down, you can cancel and rebook.

Dukey

That's odd..did I miss the option to pay later when I booked that car for France just the other day?????

robjame

Dukey - I have left out a step - A quotation locks in a price for a time while you consider (in my case to the end of the month). I then had to put down a partial payment. THEN by upping to the full payment I was given an additional 10%. By being part of AAA (or AARP I forget which) I received another 5% which resulted in a 15% discount from the published internet price. All of this is fully refendable up to the time of pickup.
I probably shouldn't report this but if you have a Canadian and US address both tied into credit cards, there is often an advantage to dealing in one currency or the other.