I am traveling with 4 adults this fall. We are flying in and out of the airport in Florence., then staying in Airbnb’s in Florence, down through Tuscany, over to Lucca, and staying 3 nights in Cinque Terra before returning to Florence for the flight back.
I’d like advice on car rentals. What’s the best location in Florence to pick up a car rental once we are heading to Siena area to tour.
When we are ready to leave Lucca, should we turn our car in there and take the train to Monterosso DelMar? Or turn it in closer to our destination?
Is it easy to take the train back to Florence the last day or better to just park the car near Cinque Terra and hold on to it to drive back?
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2182 posts
I'll let others answer the best spot in Florence to pick up the car.
I suggest you do some calculations. Many rental agencies have a drop off fee if you return the car somewhere other the origination. Factor that, as well as transportation fees to see if it makes economic sense to turn in your car at Lucca. Also factor in parking costs at CT if keeping the car.
Also, what time is your return flight? Are you planning on staying in Florence the night before?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15900 posts
Borgo Ognissanti is the street where all rental companies are in the city center.
Getting out of there is easy.
Hertz has two more facilities outside the city center:
- 53 Via Del Sansovino
- 30 Via Ambrosoli - Firenze Sud
Both will require a taxi from the city center, the latter is probably more convenient to head to Siena since it’s at the start of the Chianti Road to Siena (a must do drive).
The car return point closer to Monterosso is in La Spezia.
However returning the car in Lucca and taking the train from Lucca is also possible (one train change in Viareggio). I would probably drive to La Spezia to minimize train changes with luggage.
Returning to Florence by train is easy. No reason to keep the car parked at Monterosso to collect dust and rental and parking fees for no reason. A car is not usable at the Cinque Terre.
Hertz charges 11€ drop off fees to return the car at a different location. Europcar never charged me anything extra for that.
Check rental options using these websites part of the same consolidator:
www.autoeurope.com
www.kemwel.com
Select zero deductible insurance option by checking appropriate box. It’s an extra $4 a day, but it is worth for the peace of mind. Even a minor scratch can cost hundreds of $ in repairs and admin fees. Deductibles often exceed 1000€