Hello, has anyone had experience picking up a 9 passenger rental van at the Florence airport. I understand there is a shuttle that brings to the pick-up spot.
Are there any extra requirements to drive such a van in Italy. I have read about certain license requirements.
Also how do toll roads work, do I pay with euros or is the some sort of phone app to use e.g. Apple pay?
Thank you . Joe
I have used my credit card for tolls in Italy. Rented a large van in Paris so no help there.
All drivers must have an IDP-required by law
Get at your local AAA
Parking is going to be an ossue with that van
Will you be able to all the luggage
You've rented a villa in the country I'm guessing?? Otherwise, public transit is gonna be much better for you.
A van is not gonna be super fun to drive and really is gonna suck to park. I would seriously consider 2 cars before renting a van. I wouldn't be surprised if the cost was the actually less and you'd have a lot more flexibility.
You need an International Driver's Permit, which you can get for $30ish and AAA. Your normal car insurance or credit card coverage probably doesn't cover Italy, so you'll be required to buy that. Toll roads use euros or cards. Frequently exits are unmanned so it's a good idea to have some coins in case your card isn't working or it requires a PIN.
Study up on all of the European road signs. Download EasyPark to pay for parking. Pay attention to parking spot color codes. Pay attention to signs talking about street cleaning on specific days.
By 9 pax van I hope you are including the driver (8+1) because if the driver is not included you need a minibus license (type D1 in Europe), for up to 16 passengers or a D type (for any bus without pax limits).
Check rates on:
www.autoeurope.com
If you have 2 or 3 people willing and able to drive, 3 cars are often cheaper than a van. Italian streets are narrower, especially in ancient historical centers. 2 lane highways outside of cities are also narrower than in America (sometimes even narrower than the min by law of 2.8m per lane, or 9ft wide) and there is no shoulder, so don't scrape walls on the sides.
I confirm that in Italy you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) which you can get at any AAA office for $29. Although rarely asked at the rental car desk, if you get pulled over (random police checks are very common in Italy, even if you don't commit infractions) there is a minimum fine of 408 euro for driving without an IDP.
Wonderful advise. Thanks to all.
Many of those nine passenger vans have the shocks of a truck, and the ride on bumpy, winding Italian roads is pretty hard for those in the back two rows. Good luck!
