We are traveling from Chique Terre to Florence, Italy by train and plan to rent a car and stay in the Tuscany area at a B&B for 5 days then return to Florence for one night with an early flight departure. While googling about car rental in Florence, I came across several warnings about restrictions in driving on the ZTL. Now I'm wondering if instead of renting near the train station that we should get a bus/taxi to the airport and rent a car from there. Is it true we are not able to drive in the city with these restrictions? This is all very confusing.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8360 posts
We took a cab to the Hertz location on Sansovino. It is only a couple of miles from the train station. They gave me directions to the motorway going south without getting close to any ZTL.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32398 posts
One other point to note is that each driver listed on the rental form will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. IDP's are easily available at any AAA/CAA office for a small fee, and are valid for one year.
Florence uses automated cameras extensively to monitor the ZTL areas, but ZTL's are also common in many other Italian cities. You'll have to be vigilant if you drive into other cities as well.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Rather than taking the train to Florence, rent your car in La Spezia and drive to your Tuscan agriturismo.
Then return your car at the airport, and take the tram (if it's running) or the bus to Florence for your last night. Have a taxi take you to the airport the next morning. Cost is about €26.
Florence is full of ZTLS and bus only lanes. You don't want to drive there unless you're familiar with the city.