Renting car in Italy - any recommendation for 5 passengers? And any other suggestions?

Your options will be very very limited. I had looked for my family of 5 + MIL, so we would have needed about the same room as my kids are still youngish and don't have large bags. I can't remember what I found, but check the different companies websites.

5 adults + bags is going to be likely just 1-2 options. They definitely have vans though.

One option honestly maybe 2 small cars, that's likely your best bet to be honest.

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Is there any reason you can't take the train between the two, and then rent a car for a day or two in either city as needed? It eliminates the luggage issue, since your bags will be in the hotel as you venture out

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+1

I'd sincerely suggest looking into taking the train. The Italian train companies are excellent. Other than getting your luggage between the train station/hotel, it will be a breeze. You can always grab a cab once you reach your destination.

Where else are you going? Chances are, you can just train it the whole way. If you're staying in old town Venice, you can't drive anyways. Milan has a good metro system, and its compact enough to get around on foot.

If your trip is two weeks long, I'm guessing the plan is to gradually make your way west across northern Italy?

ETA: I should add that, given your group is comprised entirely of adults, I would recommended the train even moreso. If you had kids in the group, renting a car would probably be advisable. But 5 adults should be absolutely fine using the train system, even if ya'll are traveling to multiple cities.

My wife and her sister have planned out the trip.

Focus is on the Dolomites with time at Lake Garda and Lake Como. I admittedly don't know all the details.

All the VRBOs and hotels have been reserved.

I'll just have to identify the largest wagon (aka estate) or SUV and make it work.

Fortunately, the drives are relatively short.

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My wife and her sister have planned out the trip.

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Planned out a trip to Europe for 5 people and just assumed renting a big-arse vehicle will be no problem so they delegate that to you? No offense since you are asking for advice, but sounds about right, and just like Americans.

Advice, try to find a van or large VW wagon. Or price out a driver for the days you need to change locations.

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My wife and her sister have planned out the trip.

Focus is on the Dolomites with time at Lake Garda and Lake Como. I admittedly don't know all the details.

All the VRBOs and hotels have been reserved.

I'll just have to identify the largest wagon (aka estate) or SUV and make it work.

Fortunately, the drives are relatively short.

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OK, I can read between the lines here. Two adult women (at least), and I'm going to stereotype here and assume they aren't going to pack light, especially for a two week trip.

I don't have a ton of experience renting cars in Italy, but I'd guess that - given your circumstances - you should follow the advice of one of the other posters and rent a large passenger van. Unless you're willing to split up into multiple vehicles.

Either way, one thing I'd highly recommend is to find out from your wife exactly where the hotels/VRBOs are that you'll be staying. Research them a bit beforehand. Don't just assume that there will be a big, easy parking lot right outside the front door.

Also, I might be saying this in vain. But try and convince your group to pack light. I get it...it's a two week trip. But I can promise you that - no matter how you decide to get around - it will be 1000% easier with smaller carry-on type suitcases, rather than huge, heavy luggage bags. Remember, you're not just going to a single destination and staying there the whole time. You're going to be frequently on the move. People always underestimate how burdensome and stressful it is hauling a ton of luggage around hotels, airports, train stations, etc.

Try and find out if one of the hotels at the mid-point of the trip has laundry service. That could help.

My wife has done it for 2+ week trips in Europe. It can be done.

I did a family of five in an Audi A6 Station Wagon years ago over 5-6 days. It worked but were maxed out on space and the back middle passenger was squeezed. We had to cram smaller bags with passengers. I honestly don't know how we made it work. I think most everyone one carryon plus backpack/smaller bag. A fifth passenger had a carryon and checked bag which tightened space. Considering all that, the convenience of a car is a great way to explore as a group if you can pull it, but the relaxation of a train is also very nice.

For that trip we did Frankfurt > Colmar/Strasbourg Alsace region > Innsbruck > then turning the car in Munich. I just made sure we got the A6 wagon and not the A4 wagon, which is smaller. Anything less than the A6 wagon would not have worked. A BMW X7, Audi Q7, or Volvo XC90 would have been preferable and likely plenty of space, with some space constraints for the rear-middle passenger. I did enjoy the wagon experience and they are really nice cars to drive. I would stress people to not overpack and limit things to suitcase + one personal bag.

I got to drive the whole trip, which was nice, especially on the German autobahn. I also recommend Sixt for renting the premium cars in Europe. Sixt always seems to offer premium cars at the best rates. Used them in Europe 4-5x with no issues.