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Car Rental

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Trying to figure out our car rental situation for our Italy Trip.
Our itinerary is Florence 2 days, 7 days at agriturismo in Montalcino then 3 days in Cinque Terre then back to Florence for flight out.

We are planning on renting a car from Florence, but wondering if we should:

Drop off the car in La Spezia (on a Saturday- seems only eurocar is open till 12:00 pm) - Do companies allow drop offs if office isn't open?
Rent the car for entire tuscany / Cinque terre trip and park at La Spezia or Levanto, then drive back to Florence. Since we haven't driven in Italy before, we'll have a gps, but don't want to get too lost and miss our flight in Florence.
La Spezia or Levanto better for parking?

The car rental for the extra couple days seems inconsequential.

Appreciate any help you can provide.

Posted by
16760 posts

Rent in Florence on your way out of town, after you are done visiting Florence (no car is necessary or desirable while in Florence). Keep you car for the Agriturismo and drive to La Spezia. Return the car in La spezia and take the short train ride to the Cinque Terre (car rental offices are near the Spezia port, so you will need a taxi to take you to the train station).
When you are done with the Cinque Terre, take the train to Florence day the before your flight home. Spend the last night in Florence (in the city center, the airport is just 3.5 miles away, so no need to stay near the airport).
Keeping the car while at the Cinque Terre would be a waste of money, because the car would be gathering dust in the parking lot for 3 days and you still have to incur daily rental charges plus parking fees.
Try to reach La Spezia before noon. From Montalcino is probably a little over 2 hours. Just leave by 0830 am and you will have plenty of time. If anything goes wrong and can't make it on time, there is the alternative of returning the car at the Pisa airport (always open), take the shuttle bus to the Pisa station, then the train to the Cinque Terre (train change in La Spezia). Just make arrangements for La Spezia return, if you are running too late, just drop it off announced at the airport. No extra charges involved. I do that all the time. I always change my mind on the drop off location.
Some rental car locations allow for after hour drop off, however they might charge you a fee (inquire when you pick up in Florence).

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