We are going to Italy in September 2024 and would like to drive between Rome and Florence and stay in one or two locations in between. We only have 5 or 6 nights. I've read that a good place to pick up a car rental is in Orvieto, to avoid driving in Rome itself. It seems we can take the train to Orvieto and then pick up a car rental there. We are thinking of staying overnight for two nights in or around Montepulciano and doing day trips. We've seen posts suggesting to not drive in Siena itself and wondering if there is an area to park outside of Siena for the day? Any recommendations?
Going north, we want to go to Florence, but again do not want to drive in Florence. We thought we could possibly drop off or park the car somewhere close to Florence and just take a bus or taxi around Florence. Any recommendations for a drop off point for the car in the Florence area?
If we drive to Pisa, is it difficult driving in the Pisa area?
Thank you for any information or suggestions. This is our first visit to Italy.
Posted by
5107 posts
I would not necessarily go to all of that trouble--you can pick a location that is not difficult to depart Rome from, or you can pick up at the airport. Same deal with Florence.
I would do a dummy search and see what your favorite company (Hertz, etc.) offers in terms of locations. You can find locations and parking lots on Google maps. I navigate with my phone while husband drives.
Be sure you know about ZTL and IDP.
Don't leave anything in the car in Pisa. It is the place I have most often seen mentioned for car break-ins. You might want to just do a day trip while you are staying in Florence.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
What's wrong with picking up the car in Rome?
Any GPS navigator like Waze or Google Maps will guide you out of Rome to the A1 freeway ROMA NORD entrance, or if you want to take the Via Cassia (old highway) you can do the same.
Renting in Orvieto will limit you to the only franchise (Hertz franchise) in town.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34010 posts
Driving on the A1 is not difficult as long as you drive your own drive and don't worry about other drivers. Same is true about the GRA. You do need to be aware of the meaning of the pictograph signs, and the national speed limits as often the number won't be posted. TUTOR will make sure you are fined if you don't.
There are frequent speed cameras. You will know when you are getting a fine because you will get a charge from the rental company for providing your information to the police, usually around €40 to €50. The actual fine may not arrive in your mailbox for several or many months.
You are required to have an IDP as well as your home license.
You must absolutely understand and know how to recognise a ZTL - fines for incursion are huge. Pretty much assume that if a locality has a city wall the entire area will be one or more ZTLs. Don't go there.
Florence is notorious for its many ZTLs, and Rome also has many. Routes to rental offices are often provided here which avoid penalty, and must be followed precisely....
Be prepared for the toll procedures on the A1.
Although I have driven (penalty free) in Florence, Rome and Naples, as well as elsewhere, I have only parked near the Field of Miracles in Pisa once and that was several years ago so I don't think my experience is recent enough for you. Don't leave anything in the car. Pisa (and Florence, Lucca and Rome) is very easy to visit by train.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2201 posts
You've gotten good advice so far. Congratulations on your first trip to Italy! You'll love it!
We did a similar trip in December 2015. We rented a car from Hertz at the airport and drove the A1 to Greve, which we used as our Tuscany home base. We chose not to drive into Florence and took the commuter bus from Greve. I now know there is a very large (and safe) parking lot just outside of Florence you can use for short or long term parking. There's a shuttle into the heart of the city.
The old section of Siena is ZTL, but there are several places to park outside the walls. It's a short walk to the center.
We had absolutely no problems with traffice or ZTL tickets. ZTLs are well marked, plus you can assume anywhere inside the walls of a hill town such as San Gimignano or Volterra is ZTL. As mentioned, Italy has automated traffic cameras and strictly enforce speed limits. Even 3-5 k/hour over the speed limit can result in a ticket.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver Island BC Canada
2 posts
Thank you everyone for your input. Your comments have been very helpful!