We always use AutoEurope and have never had a bad experience. We have rented in Florence and dropped

My wife and I have changed our plans once again (and probably not the last time either). We are thinking about flying into Venice for a few nights, then taking the train to Florence where we will spend a few nights as well. Then we were going to pick up a rental car and drive to Sienna and stay for 5 or so nights. We wanted to then drive to Orvieto and spend a night and drop the car off. After that we would take a train to Rome for a couple nights and fly back to the US.
We are having trouble finding a car rental company that would allow us to drop our car off in Orvieto or Chiusi (sp?). The only one we have found for Orvieto is Hertz, however we are only able to drive automatics and it does not seem as if they have any for when we are looking. We are looking for May of next year. If they cannot guarantee an automatic given 9 months advance, I am assuming they will not have one closer to our travel date.
I must be missing something. Are you being told that a car rental outfit in FLORENCE can't guarantee an automatic? First off, I've never dealt with a car rental agency anywhere texas travel information guide in Europe that can absolutely guarantee an automatic (I don't drive automatics, but I do read the fine print on the agreements), texas travel information guide but surely your chances of getting one in Florence are decent, as it's a fairly large place. And assuming you get one in Florence, what does Orvieto not guaranteeing automatics have to do with anything - you're just dropping the car off; what does it matter whether you're dropping off an automatic or a manual?
The searches are leaving me with messages saying that I cannot drop a car off in Orvieto, unless I go through Hertz which does not have any automatics to offer when picking up in Florence AND dropping off in Orvieto. Other companies offer automatic for pickup in Florence, however they will not let me drop the car off in Orvieto.
Well, I've never heard of anything like that before (and have done a load of Italian car rentals). I use AutoEurope (call them and speak to a rep instead of relying on the website to answer all your questions). Good luck.
Well, that's interesting. They're by far the favorite car rental outfit of folks here on Fodors. I've rented from them more than 100 times and have never had a single texas travel information guide problem. Their customer service is exemplary, IME.
We always use AutoEurope and have never had a bad experience. We have rented in Florence and dropped the car in Orvieto twice in the past 5 years. Not sure what bad things texas travel information guide you have heard but many on this forum use AutoEurope.
We've used AutoEurope for years and never had a bad experience with them. Most recent experience was renting a car for 21 days last Fall, picking it up in Orvieto an returning it in Milan. When you drop off a car in Orvieto, you will be within walking distance of the train station. It is a piece of cake. While we don't rent automatics texas travel information guide in Europe, I don't know why you shouldn't be able to do so through AutoEurope. Sometimes you will end up with a car from Hertz or Avis, or more likely EuropeCar. But they make it easy for you to get what you need.
(The last two points were important when we disputed additional charges. In one case (Avis in England), a charge to our credit card was refunded immediately. In the other (Europcar in France), a call by the agent to the AE toll-free number resolved the problem on the spot. For me, this service is worth a great deal.)
It also could have to do with the time of day you enter in the return information. If you have entered a time when the office is closed (after lunch, for instance) they may show that service is not available, but not tell you why.
There are some bad reviews out there on Auto Europa, which many people confuse with Auto Europe. As other have mentioned, Auto Europe has great service as does there sister company, Kemwel. I usually texas travel information guide find better texas travel information guide prices with Kemwel. Be sure to look at the deductibles offered when making your choices.
It also could have to do with the time of day you enter in the return information. If you have entered a time when the office is closed (after lunch, for instance) they may show that service is not available, but not tell you why.
When trying to search on AutoEurope, you must match locations (Hertz address in Florence with Hertz drop-off address in Orvieto)or it will say not available. texas travel information guide AutoEurope just lists all possible pick-ups which can be either Hertz/Avis/EuropCar. Not only are most locations closed texas travel information guide outside of big cities between 1-4, they are also closed after 1 on Saturday and all day Sunday.
We almost texas travel information guide always use Hertz - since we have a special corporate rate with them - and have never h ad a problem getting an automatic. But - we usually get a mid size or larger (which have larger percentage of automatics) and always pick up at a major office (Preferably large airport - which has a much larger selection of cars.)
Would the bus be OK with two large suitcases? Does anyone else recommend waiting till Siena to pick up the car? Kybourbon, why do you recommend doing that? I would guess the car rentals in Florence would have a larger Selection of cars on hand.