Is Renting A Car When Visiting Rome Worth It?
- Thread starter Julian02
- Start date
It will be convenient for them to hire a taxi if they have never been to Rome. Public transport services are suitable for someone who has been to Rome before. I know that hiring a taxi won't be expensive and they will get to travelling to many places unlike when using public means.
Judging by all the comments on the thread up to now it seems as if hiring a car while could be considered, it's not widely recommended. Taxi seems to be the most common option that people would choose, and I think I'd tend to agree, I'd just be wary about the cost mounting up if your there for more than a few days.
When I went to Rome we took a car. I recommend a car for convenience and easier to get around the city. However the cost may set someone away from renting a car.
I have never attempted to drive in Rome so it is difficult for me to comment but from all of the other posts and comments that I have heard / read from both Italians and foreigners, I would give it a miss. If you plan on staying in the city then there really is no need for a car as public transport is quite good.
If they really want to fully experience the lifestyle and embrace the culture, then they should try backpacking through Rome! Meeting the locals, trying out their cuisine, cooking with them, sharing local stories and histories - you can NEVER get as much personal interaction with the locals if you spend half your time waiting through airports, train stations, and even traffic jams. Why not try it? It might be a grand experience that may surprise you, and you might even discover a lot of things that you will never notice when traveling by vehicle.
Walking through the city might also be an option like you say, as if you go in the spring or summer the weather shouldn't be a factor either. I'd also much rather stroll along in the sun than be stuck behind the wheel of a car in a traffic jam!