Which is better, Chiusi or Orvieto?
 

If everyone can stand one more car rental question...going from Rome to Montalcino, are we better off renting a car in Chiusi or Orvieto? What is the disadvantage of renting one at the airport? We are arriving at FCO at 9:00am.

Arriving at FCO and going towards Montalcino? I'd get my car at the airport and get going. I can't imagine any advantage of doing double transport into the city and then back out to go somewhere else to rent a car.
Disadvantage of renting at the airport? Maybe there will be a small extra charge -- but I'm not even sure about that.

for Pete's sake, pick up your rental car at the airport. You will be bypassing Rome anyway and saving a fair amount of time avoiding making train connections, waiting, etc. You might even be able to stop in some interesting places in between, like Viterbo, say.

I dont know why there is so much phobia about rental car pickups in Rome particularly at the airport. Its no big deal and you are just as likely in a small place to get involved in tiny little streets. I will never forget my first pickup in Italy, in the middle of Florence (a part that now bans cars)and making a wrong turn onto a tiny little deadend street with lots of craft workshops.. fun to work my way out. The airport is easy.

I agree with Neopatrick and jjkbrook - pick up your car at the airport. We did it both times we flew to Rome and had no problems. I think we saved a ton of time and hassle by renting at the airport. It is very easy and well-marked to drive from the airport around Rome and in to Tuscany. We arrived around 9 AM just like you are and were at our destination in Tuscany in plenty of time for lunch both times.

Thanks for your help. The airport it is.

And, if going to Montalcino, I would take the coast road and then via Grosetto for the best route.