If you are in Naples and want to take a train out of the city to a smaller place that has easy rental car pick-up (specifically on a Saturday! when car rental agencies may close by noon or so) to then drive to northern Italy, where would one find such a station?

I'm looking for a situation similar to Chiusi but something closer to Naples. And I am totally unfamiliar with the territory down there.

I have friends who are traveling and would be comfortable with A-1 and small town driving, but want to steer clear of the cities (pun intended).

Thanks!

I picked up my rental from an Avis location that was a straight shot to A-1. I booked with Avis by clicking on the Auto Europe link ob the right hand side of this page. If you are in the US you can use the toll free number and mention Expats as this helps Cristina.

quote:

Originally posted by Gil:
I picked up my rental from an Avis location that was a straight shot to A-1. I booked with Avis by clicking on the Auto Europe link ob the right hand side of this page. If you are in the US you can use the toll free number and mention Expats as this helps Cristina.

Thanks, Gil. Are there several AVIS pick-up places in Naples? Can you tell me the name of the location that has this straight shot to the A-1? That is ALL important. I will let them know about this possibility.

I would still be interested in smaller towns up the way, north of Naples that might be good in case they do not want to use Avis, or want to get farther up by train before renting the car.

Where is the first place up north they intend to visit? It might save money to just take the train and rent the car there.

Here it is: Avis

The one I used is identified as "A". I picked that one as it was closest to where we were staying. If you enlarge the map it appears that there are places even closer to the Autostrada.

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Originally posted by Bill 2:
Where is the first place up north they intend to visit? It might save money to just take the train and rent the car there.

First place is the Pienza area. And Chiusi is a GREAT place to get off the train, pick up the car, and get here. BUT the office closes at lunch time on Saturdays....and it may be difficult for them to get all that way in time to get the car.

So, if they could get the car earlier in the day, closer to Naples, but NOT have the headaches of driving out of a big city, that would be ideal.

Can they fly from Naples to an airport near Pienza? That's a long drive.

The first time I ever drove in Italy, I flew into Naples, picked up my rental car at the airport and headed toward the autostrada. I rented the car online. Pick-up was easy, locating the parking lot was easy (walking distance from the terminal) and the directions I received from the agency plus the signs along the road were pretty easy to follow. You don't have to drive into the city to get to the autostrada from the airport. I should mention that I'm *directionally-challenged* so if I can do it......

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Originally posted by alexmom:
The first time I ever drove in Italy, I flew into Naples, picked up my rental car at the airport and headed toward the autostrada. I rented the car online. Pick-up was easy, locating the parking lot was easy (walking distance from the terminal) and the directions I received from the agency plus the signs along the road were pretty easy to follow. You don't have to drive into the city to get to the autostrada from the airport. I should mention that I'm *directionally-challenged* so if I can do it......

I will use your testimonial to encourage them! Thanks!

The airport here is located pretty close to the A1 already and it's surprisingly well marked how to get there. Just don't pick "Tangenziale" or you'll be heading away from the A1 on the "outer belt" rather than toward Rome.