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Car rental for tuscany

I'm leaving Venice to go to Tuscany and Umbria. Should I rent a car in Venice or go by train to Cortona, where I will spend 4 nights, and rent it closer to there? I then go to Orvieto for 5 days before heading to Rome. Suggestions?

Posted by
15041 posts

Since you plan to rent a car anyway on the day you depart Venice, you might as well do it from the start. If you have at least two people traveling together gasoline+tolls will be less than the train fare. Also the drive is easy freeway driving. Cross the Liberty bridge from Venice (Piazzale Roma) to Mestre, get on the freeway stay on it and follow directions to the following major cities (in this order):
PADOVA
BOLOGNA
FIRENZE
ROMA.
Just after the Arezzo exit, Exit the freeway at VALDICHIANA exit, about one hour south of Firenze (Florence). Pay toll at the exit ramp and follow directions to Cortona, which is not far.
If you take the train to Arezzo is more hassle because you need to change trains in Florence then once in Arezzo the only rental office near the station is Avis (which is generally more expensive), all others are not walking distance, plus Venice will have a better selection of vehicles.

Posted by
2455 posts

I have not done this by car, but if you rent a car in Venice, many people on this forum have stressed that you need to be sure to stay exactly under the speed limit on the bridge leaving Venice. Various people have much later received expensive tickets for speeding on that bridge, I think the most recent post mentioned being cited for 2 or 3 km over the limit.

Posted by
30 posts

These are great suggestions. Which rental location near Venice is the best for picking up the car?

Posted by
15041 posts

All rental companies have the office at the Autorimessa Comunale (a huge city parking structure) on Piazzale Roma in Venice.
To rent a car use one of the following consolidators:
www.kemwel.com
www.autoeurope.com
www.gemut.com
They first two are now part of the same corporate group and work similarly, however they may have different prices.
The last one specializes in German speaking countries but I think they also offer deals all over Europe.
Check the best prices with all of them. They work with the largest rental companies operating in Europe (Europcar, Hertz, Avis, etc.).
Make sure to select the "no insurance excess" option (no deductible insurance). When you travel you want to have piece of mind and insurance deductibles are often 1,000 euro.

Posted by
30 posts

Thanks, Roberto. I have wondered what the no excess meant. Definitely want the no worry option while traveling

Posted by
8091 posts

If you pickup the car in Venice, be aware that the causeway over to the mainland has radar cameras, and they caught me @ 1.8 mph over the speed limit. Just follow the speed limits until you get out to the motorway going south.

Posted by
30 posts

Thanks so much for all the help! I'll make sure to watch the speed limit! Good reminder!

Posted by
32171 posts

dell,

For driving in Italy, each driver will also need the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These can be easily obtained at any AAA office for a small fee. You'll also need to be vigilant to avoid the dreaded ZTL (limited traffic) areas which exist in many towns and cities in Italy. Each violation of these areras will result in hefty fines, which you may not know about until several months after you return home.

Posted by
1626 posts

We drove from Venice to Cortona, and it was about 4 hours, all highway and pretty driving through the hills. We spend a week just outside of Cortona and really enjoyed it. We day tripped to Montalpulciano and Sienna, and took the train to Florence for a day of sightseeing one day, and went to a soccer match a different day.

Posted by
30 posts

Thanks for all the good info, especially regarding where to pick up the car and warnings on what to avoid. I feel lots more confident now! Ciao!