Hiking around Rome if you don’t have a car

by Sal

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Guest Article written by Sal from Nature of Sal

Italy is a paradise for hikers. While Rome gets all the attention in Lazio, there really is something for all outdoor tastes. From mountains to lakes, dunes, volcanoes, and forests – and of course, tasting the local cuisine is all part of the experience.

However, if you don’t own a car, at times it seems that certain destinations are out of reach (or you don’t want to go through the hassle of dealing with a rental car company).

Sure, there is a surprising amount of hikes available by train (check out this map), but some destinations simply require a car.

So what is the solution?

Car Sharing – is it for you?

I have tried all kinds of classic car rental companies and car-sharing providers (with ShareNow and Enjoy being the two most popular providers in Rome).

Currently, you get the best bang for your buck with Enjoy. Find below the pros and cons and decide for yourself.

Enjoy – Pros:

-You don’t have to deal with a car rental company. Sign up on the app once and bye-bye queues.

-You can park the car anywhere you like (that is, anywhere within the permitted area on the app) – again, no need to return it to the car rental company.

-You can use the car rental for 5 minutes, or select a more convenient “package” (e.g., for 24 hours).

-Their current fare is really good. Select a 24-hour package for €49, and you get gas, insurance, and 150km included!

-If you refill an empty Enjoy car, you get a €5 voucher.

-For iPhone users: The newer cars in their fleet (Fiat 500 Hybrid) conveniently mirror my iPhone on their display (Apple CarPlay).

-The cars come with AllSeason tires, which means you can also safely use them in winter and visit towns up in the mountains.

-You can use the reservation service, and somebody will bring a car near your location for a little extra fee.
There are many promos, and fares are even cheaper in certain periods of the year.

Enjoy – Cons:

-If you’re used to using an automatic gear, you’re out of luck. The Fiat 500 Hybrids come with shift sticks.

-Since this is a shared car, it means somebody else used it before you. If you’re a germophobe, or pick up a car after a Saturday night, you might need to clean up for a few minutes.

-The car depends on GPS signal and cellular. You can’t leave the car in an underground garage or in the middle of nowhere with no signal.

-If your journey is far beyond the 150km (if you purchased a 24h package), it can get expensive, depending on how many additional kilometers you are driving.

-If you like to return your car outside of the range defined by ENI, on their app, that is not possible. The only way to end the rental is by moving the car inside the defined area on the Enjoy app, and then terminate the rental from there.

Signing up the first time might take a bit longer if your driving license is not Italian, but once you get through the process, this is actually a very good alternative to renting a car to get to your hiking destinations.

Update: I’ve heard from some people based in the US that they had problems using the app. You might need to switch to the European App Store first, in order to be able to download the app. Did it work for you? Let me know in the comment section!

As always, stay safe, stay fit, and hike a bit!
Sal

 

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