Instead of picking up your rental car when you arrive at Rome Airport (FCO) after an overnight flight, consider spending a few nights in Rome and picking up your rental car in the city before you leave. This lets you avoid driving when jetlagged and many times your rental rate is lower when you do not pickup at an airport (there is an airport surcharge but it is not applied if only dropping off at the airport).
You've all heard the old cliche, "all roads lead to Rome" - and it's absolutely true. Getting out of the city with your rental car is another matter entirely. One-way streets in a maze of chaotic traffic, blasting horns, and swarms of vespas make for a frightful drive. One wrong turn and you're left desperately circling the ancient avenues.
Not to fear! I've compiled easy-to-follow instructions for exiting the Eternal City. Buckle up, grip the wheel and ignore the motorini buzzing past you. You'll soon be on your way to more tranquil destinations.
These routes avoid the Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL), a widely-demarked area of the centro storico which one must have a special permit to enter. If you drive through the ZTL you risk incurring a multa (traffic citation). Signs with cameras are erected at each point of entry so you'll know if you're about to pass into the danger zone.
There are two central car rental locations: the train station (Termini) and at the Villa Borghese Parking Garage. Both locations are described below.
Car Rental Location: Termini (Train Station)
Termini is the name of the main train station in Rome.
Locating the Rental Car Counters in Termini
The rental car counters are located next to the Upim department store and the post office. From inside the train station, walk along the tracks following the signs toward Terminal Fiumicino. Keep your eye on the distinctive yellow sign for the Posta (PT).
Sign for Post Office and Car Rentals inside the Train Station
Just beyond the post office you will find the rental car companies. The glass door to enter that section of the station reads "Centro Diagnostico," designating an office upstairs. Don't let it confuse you; enter and walk through toward the post office.
If you are coming from outside the station, enter on the side of via Giolitti, but walk beyond the section of station that houses the UPIM department store.
Sign for Post Office and Car Rentals outside the Train Station
Inside the station you will find the rental counters for the major companies - Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, Sixt, Europcar, National, Maggiore. Smaller, local agencies such as Targarent Travelcar and Tirreno are also located here.
Car Rental Counters in Termini Train Station
Driving from Termini to get out of Rome
Most rental car companies hold their cars in a parking structure located on via Giolitti. Because of the absurdity of the one-way street system in this part of town, you will need to circle around to get back to another section of via Giolitti in order to access the tunnel under the railroad tracks. Don't worry; it's easier than it sounds.
Car Rental Location: Villa Borghese Parking Lot
This is an underground parking lot located near the Villa Borghese.
Locating the Rental Car Offices in the Villa Borghese Parking Lot
It is easiest if you have a taxi drop you off right inside the lot (the driver must go into the Villa Borghese parking lot and they give him a token to get out without paying).
If you are using public transit, you can access the parking structure from the Spagna metro station as well as from the top of via Veneto.
Entrance to Villa Borghese Parking Lot from top of via Veneto
Be aware that there are very long corridors leading you to the underground parking lot, though; if you have a lot of luggage or mobility issues this will not be a good option for you. Follow the signs to the Villa Borghese and ParkSi. The entrance for the lot is located next to a gym (palestra).
Entrance to Villa Borghese Parking Lot
Driving From the Villa Borghese Parking Lot to Get Out of Rome
Congratulations - you survived driving the wild streets of Rome!
You've all heard the old cliche, "all roads lead to Rome" - and it's absolutely true. Getting out of the city with your rental car is another matter entirely. One-way streets in a maze of chaotic traffic, blasting horns, and swarms of vespas make for a frightful drive. One wrong turn and you're left desperately circling the ancient avenues.
Not to fear! I've compiled easy-to-follow instructions for exiting the Eternal City. Buckle up, grip the wheel and ignore the motorini buzzing past you. You'll soon be on your way to more tranquil destinations.
These routes avoid the Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL), a widely-demarked area of the centro storico which one must have a special permit to enter. If you drive through the ZTL you risk incurring a multa (traffic citation). Signs with cameras are erected at each point of entry so you'll know if you're about to pass into the danger zone.
There are two central car rental locations: the train station (Termini) and at the Villa Borghese Parking Garage. Both locations are described below.
Car Rental Location: Termini (Train Station)
Termini is the name of the main train station in Rome.
Locating the Rental Car Counters in Termini
The rental car counters are located next to the Upim department store and the post office. From inside the train station, walk along the tracks following the signs toward Terminal Fiumicino. Keep your eye on the distinctive yellow sign for the Posta (PT).
Sign for Post Office and Car Rentals inside the Train Station
Just beyond the post office you will find the rental car companies. The glass door to enter that section of the station reads "Centro Diagnostico," designating an office upstairs. Don't let it confuse you; enter and walk through toward the post office.
If you are coming from outside the station, enter on the side of via Giolitti, but walk beyond the section of station that houses the UPIM department store.
Sign for Post Office and Car Rentals outside the Train Station
Inside the station you will find the rental counters for the major companies - Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, Sixt, Europcar, National, Maggiore. Smaller, local agencies such as Targarent Travelcar and Tirreno are also located here.
Car Rental Counters in Termini Train Station
Driving from Termini to get out of Rome
Most rental car companies hold their cars in a parking structure located on via Giolitti. Because of the absurdity of the one-way street system in this part of town, you will need to circle around to get back to another section of via Giolitti in order to access the tunnel under the railroad tracks. Don't worry; it's easier than it sounds.
- Exit the garage and turn right onto via Giolitti.
- Go three blocks and turn right on via Cairoli.
- After one block turn left onto via Principe Umberto.
- Two blocks later turn left onto viale Manzoni.
- You are headed toward the station; turn left back onto via Giolitti.
- At the traffic light one block up, go right.
- This puts you onto via Tiburtina, and takes you through a tunnel under the railway tracks. Stay on via Tiburtina (through the wide intersection where five streets converge, Tiburtina is the stone, wider street in the center), continuing along to the "tangenziale" and following the green directional signs for the GRA and Autostrada.
- When the street merges with the tangenziale you need to be in the left-hand lane to access the motorway.
Car Rental Location: Villa Borghese Parking Lot
This is an underground parking lot located near the Villa Borghese.
Locating the Rental Car Offices in the Villa Borghese Parking Lot
It is easiest if you have a taxi drop you off right inside the lot (the driver must go into the Villa Borghese parking lot and they give him a token to get out without paying).
If you are using public transit, you can access the parking structure from the Spagna metro station as well as from the top of via Veneto.
Entrance to Villa Borghese Parking Lot from top of via Veneto
Be aware that there are very long corridors leading you to the underground parking lot, though; if you have a lot of luggage or mobility issues this will not be a good option for you. Follow the signs to the Villa Borghese and ParkSi. The entrance for the lot is located next to a gym (palestra).
Entrance to Villa Borghese Parking Lot
Driving From the Villa Borghese Parking Lot to Get Out of Rome
- From the parking lot turn right onto the viale del Galoppatoio, which curves to the right and takes you into the park and the circular Piazzale Capestre.
- Go through it, exiting to the right onto viale San Paolo del Brasile.
- You'll pass into the Piazzale Brasile. When you reach the Piazzale Brasile take the second left onto via Pinciana.
- Continue on this street but veer right when it forks, going right to via Giovanni Pacini, which then becomes the via Salaria.
Congratulations - you survived driving the wild streets of Rome!
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