Best place to pick up a car in Florence

A location away from the center of Florence, there are restricted zones in the city center area with cameras that result in one or more $150 fines if you drive past one of these cameras.

Have you, or anyone else, used one of the pick-up locations? The locations are 53/55, 100, or 128 Via Borgo Orgnissnti; Via Pratese 64; or Via del Gelsomino 11. Plus of course the airport.

Another question -- would it be best to take a cab back to the airport to get the car? My husband is concerned about the cost of a cab ride from the duomo area to the airport.

The various Via Borgo Ognissanti addresses are different rental car companies that AutoEurope contracts with. They are all good companies at the south end of Florence. If you are driving to Siena, Via Borgo Ognissanti is a good choice for rental car pickup. However, you should not drive back to your hotel near the Duomo to collect luggage, since this would place you within the restricted zone. Some people on this website have mentioned that they take a taxi (w/luggage) to the car rental office, then immediately head south to Siena.

Thanks, Lamont. I have been reviewing previous helpline discussions on this topic. Moving on...we will return the car to Pisa. There are two choices, the airport or downtown. Any thoughts on those options?

It would be best to take a cab back to the airport to get the car. The airport is only 3 or 4 miles northwest of the center. The cost is small compared to the $150 tickets you will be sent after your return for violating restricted zones in Florence center. Simplify. Florence is the most messed up overnight parking situation in western Europe. There is esentially no overnight parking except in about four spots and that is ruinously expensive. Unless you have made an arrangement with your hotelier, or are staying in a hotel that serves the highway and is well out of the center of town.

The downtown Pisa location for AutoEurope (on Lungarno Sonnino) is near the rail station. You will have to navigate some traffic to reach this branch, and it is open less hours than the airport. The airport location requires less "in-town" driving, and is slightly further from downtown Pisa, but it is open far more than the downtown branch. Both locations are just a quick taxi or bus ride from the center of town. Finally, if you are leaving Pisa immediately after turning in the car, choose your drop-off location based on proximity to the stazione or aeroporto.

Thank you for all the information. I think we are ready to arrange the car rental.