Car rental landing in Florence

Yes it is possible :) It is much easier than a city center rental with avoiding restricted areas. Make sure you have an IDP and stay out of the ZTLs (restricted traffic areas) and you will be fine.

If you're renting from a smaller agency definitely get an international drivers license from AAA. You'll end up without a car without this.

Regardless of the type of car rental agency you rent from you need to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP). You can get one at your local AAA, it takes minutes (and $20 + $9 for two passport photos if you don’t have them) and you can also apply online. Italy requires an IDP if you don’t have a European license, and the minimum fine is €408 if you don’t have one.

Renting at the airport is usually more expensive than picking up the car downtown, but if you rent upon landing, it is still advantageous as you save the extra money for the taxi. Check pricing on www.autoeurope.com and then select FLORENCE ALL LOCATIONS as pick up and drop off points to see the price difference between airport and downtown locations. The taxi ride from the airport to the city center is at least €30.

Although the car rental agency may not ask you to see it to rent your vehicle (I have never been asked in my life), however if you get pulled by police (very common to have random police checks on the road, even if you don’t commit any infraction) you will need to provide one along with your home driver’s license (somehow the police or carabinieri pulls me over every year and each time I have to show my IDP).

Make sure you are familiar with the European road signs. And pay attention to the Restricted Traffic Zones, or ZTL, in the historical centers.

If you are spending time in Florence at start of trip you don’t need or want the car there so pick it up as you leave Florence