Hello Community
We will in Italy in May and making our base in Scandicci FI, Italy.
We are hoping to drive around the surrounding area like, Lucca, Bologna and Modena.
How does driving on the highways/Autostrada work with tolls? Do the rental cars come with toll pass?
thanks.
No, rental cars do not come with a toll pass. We make sure we have cash when we drive, which is rarely. I highly recommend having a GPS and one that tells you where the speed cameras are, if possible.
When you enter the autostrada you pick up a ticket, you give it back at the toll booth exiting.
Actually, there are no toll passes at all, each trip is separately charged. The closest thing would be a telepass, that is a radio transponder installed on a car; passing through dedicated toll lanes, the fee is directly charged on a bank account. It is very unlikely that a rental car comes equipped with a telepass, as this is convenient only to long term users.
As for speed cameras, north of Florence speed cameras are linked by an electronic system that may measure not only your top speed but also your average speed on a stretch, shooting photos when you enter and when you exit the stretch and checking the time. So being warned about speed cameras is basically useless, as you have to be sure you are not overspeeding all the time. This system is called "tutor" and it is said to be so efficient that police has at times to switch it off in order to not be overwhelmed by the administrative work of issuing fines.
Scandicci? You couldn't find a better location? I hope you are staying in the countryside NEAR Scandicci not IN Scandicci.
Anyhow.
Look at the picture below:
http://www.autostrade.it/it/il-pedaggio/pagamento-al-casello
Italian Autostrade (autostrada=autobahn=motorway=freeway). Paying for Autostrada tolls works like a parking lot at an airport or downtown. Before you enter the freeway ramp there is a toll booth where you get a ticket. You keep the ticket with you for the length of the trip. When you exit, at the end of the exit ramp, there in another toll booth. You give the ticket to the toll attendant. He puts it in a computer/cash register. Based on the entrance where you got the ticket the computer calculates the toll (which is based on distance traveled). The display will show the amount you owe. You give the money to the attendant, the barrier opens, and you go your merry way. Exactly like when you exit a parking lot.
Now, if you looked at the picture above, you will have noticed several booths with different color signs. This is what they mean:
YELLOW SIGN Saying 'TELEPASS': electronic remote toll spcollector/transponder. Your rental car won't come with it, unless maybe you rent it extra, so don't bother.
WHITE SIGN WITH BLACK HAND HOLDING CASH: this booth has an attendant and accepts only cash
WHITE SIGN WITH CASH BUT NO BLACK HAND: this booth has no attendant, you pay cash at a self service machine (machine gives change). If it has credit cards logo, it accepts cards too.
BLUE SIGN WITH 'CARTE' SIGN: self service machine which accepts cards only (no cash).
I usually pay cash (either attendant or self service machine). If you want to use a credit card it must be a chip card (magnetic stripe only not accepted). A PIN is NOT necessary at these machines. For the types of trips you will be doing, you will not spend more than €15 each segment.
