Fiumicino Car Rental

Most travelers just pass through Fiumicino on their way to and from Rome, but they're missing out. This town has some surprising and unusual sights. One of the wildest is the Land of the Giants, which can be seen from the airport's cargo area. This is a collection of enormous objects that have been abandoned after special events like conventions, fairs or movie shoots. Giants made of metal, huge motorbikes and more can all be seen here. This bizarre, quirky collection is in an open field, and it's worth stopping for a closer look.

The location of Fiumicino airport was once a different kind of port: a seaport. You can still see some ruins here, but there are more impressive ruins a few kilometers down the road at Ostia Antica. For more information, you can visit Fiumicino's Museum of Ancient Roman Boats. There are five vessels here, all of which were unearthed when the airport was being built.

Of course, when you have seen enough, it's time to take advantage of your car rental in Fiumicino and head for the big city. Rome needs no introduction. This is one of the most famous and atmospheric cities on the planet. Some visitors come for the ancient buildings, like the marvelous Colosseum and the stunning Pantheon. Others are attracted by the religious wonders, such as the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica, with their spectacular artworks. But some just come for the pizza! Whatever your motivation, Rome is a city that will always impress you.

It's hard to choose just a few things to see in Italy's capital. The Colosseum is top of many visitors' lists, while the Forum is another spectacular, important ruin from the days of Ancient Rome. A trip into Vatican City, the microstate that is contained entirely within the city limits, is definitely worth your time. Here you can see the Sistine Chapel, best known for Michelangelo's stunning ceiling fresco. There are also the Vatican museums, which contain an enormous selection of artwork. Many of the pieces here are religious in nature, but not all. The collection of old maps is particularly interesting for lovers of travel.

Car or van rental in Fiumicino lets you go beyond Rome and explore more of Italy. You can take day trips to nearby attractions like the Amalfi Coast, or you can go for a longer road trip to see more of what the country has to offer. Choose from inspiring Renaissance cities like Florence or Venice and ancient ruins like the lost city of Pompeii. The adventure starts here!

Driving in Rome can be quite an experience! The city has a maze of narrow streets, and it is very easy to get lost. The good news is that the center is entirely walkable. Visitors are advised to park outside the downtown area and explore on foot, to save time and avoid frustration. Keep a clear head when driving in Rome, and don't take it personally when other drivers honk at you.

Going into the city, be aware of rush hour traffic. Many Italians live outside Rome and commute in. Rush hour runs from 7:00 am-9:00 am and again from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. You will find it far easier to drive outside these times. To avoid getting stuck in traffic, plan routes that will let you take the A90. There are no tolls on this highway, and it is a good alternative to the narrow streets of the downtown area.

Be careful around the ZTL, the limited traffic zone. This is a common sight in Italian cities and consists of an area where traffic is either extremely limited or prohibited altogether. If you enter a ZTL without a permit, you will be subject to a fine. Generally, Italian cities have a ZTL around their historic neighborhoods and monuments – so, as you might guess, Rome has several! Each ZTL has a different timetable, which can cause enormous headaches for visiting drivers. Your best bet is to check carefully before setting out on a journey and watch out for the ZTL road signs. These signs are a circle with red on the outside and white on the inside. You will find them in most Italian cities, so it's a good idea to get used to them. When in doubt about the limits or timetable of a ZTL, don't hesitate to ask at your hotel or the nearest bar.

When looking for a parking space, remember that the closer you get to downtown, the harder it will be to find one – and the more you will pay! If you park on the street, be sure to tuck your wing mirrors to avoid them being dinged by passing cars.

Although the Vatican is a separate country, there are no border checks. You are extremely unlikely to be entering it in your vehicle due to the limits of the ZTL.