Has anyone recently made the trek to the airport to pick up their rental car? With the pedestrian only areas in Bologna, I'm wondering if our party of 5 should ALL go to the airport and leave from there for Firenze. I had thought that 2 of us would pick up the car, drive back to the hotel and load everyone in. It will be a Sunday, if that matters.
Do we taxi? Bus? Other options?
Appreciate any insight on this small matter. Thanks!
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
There is a people mover running from Bologna central station to the airport. But, since you are at the station the easiest thing would be a train to Florence. You'd be there in 45 minutes, avoiding the drive through the mountains.
The "pedestrians only" areas are actually "residents only" and Florence is famous for having one in the city center
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15274 posts
If you all intend just to travel from the city center of Bologna to Florence, to stay in Florence, you should not rent a car at all.
As suggested by Dario, you should all walk to the Bologna Centrale train station, and get on a high speed train to Florence (train info below)
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
You will be at Florence Santa Maria Novella station 36 minutes later (less than half the time driving) at a cost of Euro 145 for the 5 of you all, or Euro 29 each (although if you buy in advance there are offers as low as Euro 59.50 for your entire party (that is Euro 11.90 each).
Even if you pay the full price, it is probably cheaper than a rental car these days, once you consider the cost of the freeway tolls, the fuel, the taxi to the airport, and the fact that for 5 people+ luggage you will need at least a large vehicle or minivan, which are currently renting in Italy for over 200 euro a day.
Even if you intend to visit the Tuscan countryside from Florence (by car) you should pick up your car in Florence when you need it for going to the countryside.
If you insist on renting in Bologna and waste money and time, I wouldn't attempt to drive back from the airport to downtown, even though on a Sunday the ZTL is not active. There are lots of bus lanes and one way streets in Bologna and it's not easy to navigate unless you know the city. The best way would be to rent from an office at the train station (all companies have an office near the station) and leave town from there. All your party should go together to the car rental office with luggage and all, and leave from there. If you absolutely intend to waste even more time and more money on the rental to pick up at the airport (there are substantial airport fees if you pick up a car at the airport in Italy), the best way is for your party to take a taxi from the hotel to the airport (the people mover for 5 people is more money than the taxi) and then from the airport go straight to the freeway to Florence (that I've done many times, and it's easy).
Posted by
Vignola, Modena, Italy
503 posts
On Sunday matter a lot driving in the center of Bologna, because via Indipendenza, via Ugo Bassi, via Rizzoli and strada Maggiore are completely pedestrian. So enter in the historical center with a car is a nightmare (and take in account that you must say your plate number to your hotel to enter the ZTL without being fined).
In general the suggestion to go to the train station and go to Florence by train make sense, except you haven't in mind some stops between Bologna and Florence.
There are some rental offices near the train station, so maybe is easier go there with the family and rent the car.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15274 posts
Since the ZTL in Bologna is active 7 days a week from 7am to 8pm (and in some areas 24 hrs a day), unlike Florence that is inactive on Sundays, except for some parts always active, you have another reason to consider the train and renting in Florence, and certainly not attempt to drive in Bologna city center back to your hotel.