Arriving in Florence, I'll be renting a car. Is it convenient at, or from the airport?
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1756 posts
Car rental at the airport is easy and since it is somewhat out of town navigation is easier than renting in town.
Are you flying into Florence? Then renting at the airport makes perfect sense. If you are arriving by train there is in town rental and airport rental. There are many topics discussing the pros and cons on the board here - including driving out of town without violating Florence's ZTL. There is tram from the train station to the airport if you want to connect the two.
Read up on ZTLs, have an International Driver's Permit for all drivers and have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
OP
Chapel Hill, NC
109 posts
This is perfect...we will be arriving at the airport and happily avoiding Florence proper by picking up rental at the airport and heading south.
Posted by
Maryland
1054 posts
Our only concern for our car rental from Florence airport was the need to be aware of their opening and closing times. They are not like US places which seem to be open (if slow) 24-7.
Posted by
29 posts
I've rented once in the city and twice at the airport, with very different experiences.
As noted by others, there is a tram from the airport into Florence but as I recall the in-city rental areas may not be easy walking distances from the tram stops - mapping it out will tell you, and there are taxis.
When we rented in the city we managed to navigate back to the garage without entering the ZTL, so it's possible if you're careful.
There is a shuttle from the airport to the car rental agencies/lots.
I think in one of the RS Florence guidebooks it mentions that the return to the rental lot can be confusing, which is an understatement. If it doesn't, it should. The signage is very poor, with just one TINY sign, and of course lots of traffic in the area appproaching the airport.
The first time we didn't have too much trouble finding the lot upon return. In hindsight I think it was because we did not come back from Tuscany by the major autostrada, but instead by provincial roads, so the approach through the Florence suburbs was slower than on the autostrada.
The second time - from Tuscany on the autostrada - we missed the sign for the lot, accidentally got back on the autostrada and had to make a second approach. Luckily I saw a rental agency shuttle van just as I spied the sign, so followed the van. It was a pretty stressful return experience.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17099 posts
If you rent upon landing the airport is the most sensible choice.
Use your navigator and it will direct you correctly.
To return the car save the following freeway rest area as your return destination. Then refuel your car here. This choice will require that you exit the A1 freeway at the FIRENZE NORD exit.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/y8DJH6fgPcuHVbDf8
Once you have refueled the car at the above service rest area, you can proceed to the Airport Car Rental center on Via Palagio degli Spini. Save it also in your navigator (I selected Hertz on the Google Maps, but all companies are there):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XYHkgn2Dz5qZhidC8
This is the route from the fuel station to the car rental center. Very easy.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EAudFMPmwK5AEjcM9