Europcar in Florence

When you pick up the car to drive the car to your destination follow the direction below. I presume you are going somewhere toward Siena. I can be more precise if you tell us where you are going.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/j32uSiUS3uS27ZuN9?g_st=ic

Once at the above gas station set your navigator for your final destination. Google might give you multiple options depending on where you are going, take the option that takes you first to the FIRENZE SCANDICCI entrance on the A1 freeway. There is a speed camera on viale Etruria on the way to the freeway, so be careful not to speed above 50 km/h.

When you return the car from wherever you come from first go to the gas station below to refuel

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cYL5t2XFSHqiNAc17?g_st=ic

Then from that gas station follow the directions below to the SMN Station garage

https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3fcxfXm4KZyCmsXA?g_st=ic

The garage exit and the garage entry I indicate above are on different sides of the piazza but they all go to the same underground garage. You could potentially go to the same entry point from where you exited but I can guarantee you that itinerary is so convoluted that you will curse driving in Florence for the rest of your life.

I also wonder why all rental car companies don’t move to the station since they all now use that underground garage. Sixt I know is at the station but Europcar and, I think, Avis-Budget still have their offices on Borgo Ognissanti.

Hertz has moved to Via Alamanni and I think they use a garage under their office. But returning the car there involves using a prohibited entry therefore they would need to put your car in the White List of the City Portal.

Thanks. I'm going to Pienza and returning from San Gimignano.

Ok. Then follow the direction I gave. Once you exit the city I sent you to the first IP gas station. Stop there and set your navigator to go to Pienza. Make sure you take the GoogleMaps route that goes directly to the A1 toll booth (“Casello” in Italian) at the FIRENZE SCANDICCI A1 entrance, don’t take the other route, which is shorter but requires you to drive on city streets longer. Once you pick up the toll ticket at the booth head toward Rome (Roma). You will exit the A1 freeway at the VALDICHIANA exit, near Bettolle, then from there take the regular road to Montepulciano and Pianza.

To return from San Gimignano set your navigator to go to the Q8 gas station I indicated above. Make sure you select the route that takes you to the same FIRENZE SCANDICCI toll booth. Once at that station you can refuel there then use the last directions I gave you to the SMN underground garage.

Make sure you don’t speed on viale Etruria between the gas stations and the freeway. Use Waze to warn you about Speed Cameras everywhere. They are ubiquitous. Also pay attention not to drive on Bus or tramway lanes in Florence. Use GoogleStreet maps to visualize the route before you go.

Also read this thread below:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/driving-from-florence-to-montepulciano-8f87becc-c1a5-488c-b988-b257bf8b1cc2

If you also want to go to Pienza the slow way via the Chianti Road (SR222) then after you pick up the car and go to the first IP gas station set the navigator for this location below:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/epvYhfPuEPn69Gcg8?g_st=ic

That would be the Radisson Blu hotel (formerly a Sheraton). Basically you would enter the A1 freeway at the same A1 FIRENZE SCANDICCI entrance, but you would exit 3 exits later at FIRENZE SUD instead of going all the way to Valdichiana.

Once at the Radisson Blu, sto and set your navigator to GREVE IN CHIANTI, a main town along the SR222. Once in Greve, visit a little then enjoy the the drive to Castellina in Chianti, the next main town.

After Castellina you can set the navigator for Pianza, or if you want to see the walled town of MONTERIGGIONI you can set the navigator for that too, then later on you head to Pienza.

Siena is also along the way but there are only so many hours in a day and Siena requires the best part of a day to visit.