My wife and I are wanting best advice to rent a car at the Florence airport and return to the airport. I have heard that there can be problems returning cars to the airport. Should be plan to turn the car in a day before our flight out? Is the Eurocar company reputable? Or should I use Avis or Budget or Hertz?
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
I have not rented a car in Florence so I can't help you with the first part of your question. I have rented many times from Europcar. I generally rent from them using a rental car broker for the best rates. Check AutoEurope and Kemwel online for rates. You can also check Europcar's online rates. On all websites, check "your rental includes" and "your rental does not include". It is extremely important to know this information. It will vary between rental companies. Even if their prices are less, Avis and Hertz can be more expensive because of what is included or not included in their rentals. Personally, I avoid Avis and Hertz.
Some additional rental car information: obtain an IDP, International Driver's Permit, from AAA. It is required in Italy. There is no test, just two passport photos and $20. This document translates your US driver's license. I also purchase travel insurance that covers my rental car. Why? Some parts of the car are not covered by a credit card or by the insurance purchased from the rental company itself. Examples are tires, undercarriage, loss of use, side mirrors and theft. It is best to check with your insurance company and the rental car company to get complete and up-to-date information as it is always changing.
Have a great trip.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16198 posts
Are you renting the car upon landing or do you plan to stay in Florence first then rent?
If you rent upon landing to go somewhere out of town, then rent at the airport. If you stay in Florence first, then rent in the city.
Are you returning the car on the day of your flight out? If so you can return at the airport, however the airport location opens at 8am, so if you return earlier than 8am you need prior arrangement to leave car and drop keys in lockbox. If you plan to stay in Florence the night before your flight, it is better to return the car the night before at a location than is convenient for your accommodations.
Europcar is the largest company operating in italy. I generally use either a Europcar or Hertz depending on who happens to have the better deal that year for the dates I need.
I use a consolidator (www.autoeurope.com) regardless of which of the two I end up renting from.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12032 posts
Here is a plethora of commentary on car rental at Florence
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
I also use Europecar, and choose their Zero deductible insurance.
If you've never driven in Italy, please read this.
https://www.italybeyondtheobvious.com/dont-mess-with-ztl-zones
And download their PDF on signs and rules of the road.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1758 posts
Probably the problem you have heard is that, due to construction works, the rental area close to the airport has been closed and rentals moved to a parking area half a mile away. So you must take a shuttle to/from the airport (don't walk, it is on the opposite side of the main motorway) and the access may be difficult to find when returning the car.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1841 posts
I rented a car through Auto Europe last week and picked up the car from Europcar. There is a shuttle right outside of arrivals at the airport that takes you to the car rental agencies for free. It was very easy and getting out of the airport area onto the A-1 surprisingly easy, also.
It was a good experience throughout. However, I chose to return the car to Siena rather than driving back to Florence.. It’s an easy and cheap bus ride from Siena back to Florence and saved me the stress of having to drive back into the Florence area.