Car Rentals

while you are waiting for those answers is a good time to save you some money by avoiding very expensive fines.

The first is to understand the point of ZTLs, how to recognise them, how to avoid them, and particularly since you will be driving around Florence where they are a real hotbed, where you can go and where you can't.

Also learn where the bus lanes are and how to avoid them. Very expensive.

Learn the Italian road signs and memorize the national speed limits because the numbers are often not posted.

There is no grace in slowing down to the speed, you need to be slowed to the new speed by the time you pass the sign - that doesn't mean let off the gas here.

And, even if the kid behind the counter doesn't make you show it, you need both your current driving license and an IDP for each driver.

Understand the insurance policies and costs..

I only drive automatic. I've rented lately with Sixt and been very happy with them so far. I book directly through them. Not all roads are small in that area, and most are excellent and very easy to drive in the countryside; entering towns and cities is a little more challenging. I always get a car with GPS included. I'd take the smallest car that fits you comfortably. You do not need a tiny, tiny car.

The rural roads in Tuscany and Umbria are fine and are a pleasure to drive - you don't need to book a small car. Go with whatever is comfortable for you. Not so the Autostrada or driving in the cities which can be pretty nerve wracking.
Many here rely on AutoEurope for car rentals in Italy. Their rates are always competitive and from Florence you'll be able to shop several companies at a glance, including Sixt, although we've usually opted for Hertz ourselves. It's pretty easy to specify an automatic too.
One feature of AE that we particularly appreciate is the clear explanation of the insurance options. We thought their zero deductible coverage was reasonably priced for the convenience and peace of mind involved.

Look at Autoeurope. They give you prices for numerous rental companies that are, in my experience anyway, always cheaper than renting from the company. You can look at both and compare. I think you will find an equal number of complaints for any company and I have stressed myself out plenty reading reviews of specific pick up locations for specific companies. Someone above suggested Sixt, and that is one I have opted not to use, but you see what I mean. Ive always rented through autoeurope and I think Ive mostly rented with Avis because they tend to have the cars and prices I want at the locations I want.

We’ve rented from Avis a couple of times and had good experiences. They offer car classes that are specifically automatic so you can be sure that’s what you’ll get if you need it. Overall the roads seem narrower than in the US but the cars are designed accordingly, so even the Peugeot 5008 crossover/SUV we rented in January (that seats 7 with no luggage, 4-5 with some luggage, or the 3 of us and 3 enormous suitcases!) fit just fine. The autostrada / motorways were actually easier to drive than the Interstate highways through large American cities.

As far as ZTLs go, don’t plan on driving into any city centers. Pick up at Florence airport and drive away from town, or if you pick up at the train station plan a route out of town that avoids the ZTLs. (Roberto di Firenze has posted detailed directions on other threads in this forum.) When you go to other cities look for parking outside the main historic area - in Pisa there are parking lots north and east of the cathedral / tower complex that you can use - and then walk or use transit from there. If you’re driving into Florence for sightseeing consider parking at the big lot that’s right off the A1 highway and next to the Tram 1 terminus and then riding Tram 1 into town. Also watch for ZTL signs as you come into a town - the ones we saw were lit up and said “ZTL closed” in bright red - and then turn off to avoid going past the sign.

Good luck with the trip!

I have been very impressed with multiple rental from Sixt across multiple sites.

as for driving in Italy…gird your loins! Italians have no concept of death! Pope Francis will save them. It is not the roads to be concerned about, they are much like rural road in the US, but the Italian drivers. Was driving in southern Italy and there was a car ahead of me moving from the right to the middle of the road on a freeway. Was concerned that he was DWI but as a passed them I could see that he had one hand on the steering wheel and the other talking to the passenger all the while not looking forward but rather at the passenger. Love the Italians!

Thank you so much Nigel, we have not considered or thought any of these points.

Thank you for your reply Ekscrunchy. We have also used Sixt in the past in Germany and had a great experience. Good to hear SIxt can be trusted again for Italy.

You are very welcome!
If you go to SIXT directly, you will get many more choices than if you use a broker like AutoEurope.
A Sixt manager in Catania told me that the company is planning a big expansion in the US so the company name will be more known than it is now. I just think they are wonderful.

Last year I picked up a SIxt car from Catania. After driving for an hour, the "low battery" light went on. I called them from my hotel outside Ragusa and they brought me another car--same make and model of the first one--and took away the faulty one on a truck. They told me that if I had rented through them with a broker, I would have had to drive all the way back to Catania to return the car and get a different one. They told me they give preferential treatment to those who book with them directly. I can't verify that but it was interesting....

I'm writing this from southern Spain, where another SIXT rental is parked outside my hotel, waiting for me!

Excellent info ekscrunchy

Thank you Robert for your reply. You are right, insurance is the big issue and if any portal can resolve this, then it's very nice.