Hello All,

I've got a few questions for anyone who is a Rome native or anyone who has ever rented from Hertz in Rome.

I'm thinking about a 4-day rental with a pick-up in/around Rome - I'm not sure where to do a pick-up (although I understand from speaking to the Hertz International reps that they do offer free drop-off at hotels) - I would like to return the rental at FCO, but in terms of pick-ups, I'm thinking that it would be better to pick-up at an off-airport location as the fees may be reduced. I currently don't have any hotel plans for while in Rome as yet, so I figure it'd be best to do a pick-up off airport at a location that's near a subway stop or off of a local train.

The difference is significant from the places that I've test sold because there's no 15% Location Service Charge & that's about 30-40 EUR in savings - also, as we're planning on possibly going on a "roadtrip" towards the north east of Rome (you can tell this isn't really planned out ), we'd prefer to pick-up outside of the downtown area. Any suggestions on a public-transportation accessible, out of the downtown area pick-up location?

Also, I understand that Theft Protection is required in Italy & will be covered. I will be charging the rental to a Visa card (Amex doesn't cover rentals in Italy) - the Visa folks told me to decline the CDW/LDW in order to get coverage, but that they don't cover liability, bodily injury, or lost/stolen personal items. Does the "Personal Accident Insurance/Personal Effects Coverage" at 13.8 EUR/day cover these things & is it worth it?

I also have to get a International Drivers Permit (according to Hertz, though I've never had one before), is $10.00 from AAA the best place to get one?

Sorry for all the questions - any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Here's a link to the Rome Subway & Local Train map

Here is a list of the possible pick-up locations in/around Rome:

Ciampino Airport
Ciampino Airport,
Mo-Su 0800-2400

Fiumicino - L. Da Vinci Airport
Fiumicino - L. Da Vinci Airport,
Mo-Su 0700-2400

Appia - Via Lanuvio
Via Lanuvio 25, (Corner of Via Appia Nuova),
Mo-Fr 0800-1900, Sa 0830-1300, Su on request - contact Reservations

Cassia - Via Cassia
Via Cassia 1171,
Mo-Fr 0800-1300 1500-1800 Sa 0800-1230 Su closed

Conca D'Oro - Via Val d'Ala
Via Val D'Ala 32,
Mo-Fr 0800-1300 1400-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su closed

EUR - Via Shakespeare
Via Shakespeare 43,
Mo-Fr 0800-1300 1400-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su closed. From 01 August until 31 August 2004: Mo-Fr 0900-1300 1400-1700, Sa-Su closed

Flaminia - Via Flaminia Nuova
Via Flaminia Nuova 234,
Mo-Fr 0800-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su closed

Gianicolense
Gianicolense 109,
Mo-Fr 0800-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su closed

Magliana - Via della Magliana
Via della Magliana, 317,
Mo-Fr 0800-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su closed

Montemario - Hotel Hilton
Via Cadlolo 101,
Mo-Fr 0830-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su on request - contact Reservations

Ostiense - Via Ostiense
Via Ostiense 71-E,
Mo-Fr 0800-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su closed

Parioli - Via Domenico Cirillo
Park Pavia - Via D.Cirillo 9,
Mo-Fr 0800-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su on request

Prati - Lungotevere dei Mellini
Lungotevere Dei Mellini, 36,
Mo-Fr 0800-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su closed

Termini Stazione FFSS - Railway Station
Pick-up: Via Giolitti 34 (Platform 24), Return: Carpark Giolitti (ES Park Giolitti), Via Giolitti 267 (floor 7),
Mo-Fr 0700-2000, Sa 0800-1800, Su 0800-1300

Tiburtina - Via Pietro Ottoboni
Via Pietro Ottoboni 14,
Mo-Fr 0800-1900, Sa 0800-1300, Su closed

Vatican - St. Peter
Via Gregorio VII 207,
Mo-Fr 0900-1700, Sa 800-1300, Su closed

Via Tuscolana - Esso Petrol Station
Via Tuscolana 1530/1546,
Mo-Fr 0830-1300 1500-1900, Sa 0830-1230, Su closed

Villa Borghese - Viale Del Muro Torto
Viale Del Muro Torto SNC,
Mo-Fr 0700-1900, Sa 0700-1700, Su 0800-1300