We will be staying in a house outside of Lucca for a week, exploring Tuscany/Florence after some time in Venice and Rome. We will be flying home out of Florence. Would it be best to rent our car in Florence and return it to Florence after our flight? Or arrive in Florence, take train/bus to Lucca and then rent the car and take the train/bus back to Florence for our flight home?
Posted by
5158 posts
To me, it would depend on the time of the outbound flight (like if it is at the crack of dawn). If it will make your life easier to drop the car before the flight home, I would do that. There is typically little to no fee to pick up and drop off in different locations, if that helps--for example, picking up as you leave Florence (just get good directions to avoid ZTL) and dropping at the airport.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7276 posts
Either will work.
We picked up at Florence airport and dropped in Lucca- Avis
That worked for our needs.
I would check rates, availability and go with best deal.
Be sure to add in cost of getting to/from pick up/drop/Taxis, trains, trams etc.
The airport pick up rates will be slightly higher and there will likely be a one way drop off fee if you choose to drop in Lucca. or a diff location than where you picked up.
Check opening hours of the locations too- airport will have the longest hours and open on weekends.
Best availability will be at airport- especially if you need automatic or a larger car. I wouldn't count on the agencies in Lucca actually having the car you need, even if you reserve.
Add it all up and make your decision once you have the total cost.
I'd give time spent on extra travel consideration as well.
I also would not want to drive after an overnight flight so do take that into consideration
www.autoeurope.com
Posted by
Paris
7322 posts
Lucca car rental options are probably more limited.
Also, it will be smoother to simply pick up the car at the airport in Florence and return it there; the drive on the A11 is easy. The airport is easily accessed by tram or taxi from the main SMN train station. There is no ZTL anywhere near the airport, but beware of ZTL in Lucca and in any town or even some villages.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16167 posts
Florence airport, for sure.
I know picking up at the airport entails extra airport rental fees, but hopefully not too much for a week, but picking up at the FLR rental center is very convenient to go to Lucca because the A11 (Firenze-Mare, i.e. Florence-Sea) freeway to Lucca begins right there.
Some caveats:
- Although you may be tempted to walk to the rental center (it's just 300 yds away, across the A11 freeway from the terminal), don't! It's not pedestrian friendly. Use the Rental center shuttle bus.
- To get to the A11 entrance, when you exit the rental center (turn left) you have to go the round around way. First you go toward the city then you will go around and back track toward the airport and the A11 entrance. People not familiar with the area get confused sometimes, but just follow the Green Directions to A1 - A11 AUTOSTRADE and you will be ok.
- If you fly back from FLR, it means you must have a layover somewhere else in the EU (no direct flights to the US from FLR), that means your flight will depart early in the morning. I recommend you stay in Florence at least the night before the flight. Also return your car as soon as you arrive to Florence from Lucca. The rental center closes for the night and reopens only at 8:00am. Your flight will likely require you to check in at around 6:00 am or earlier. Use a taxi to go to your Florence hotel and from the hotel to the airport the next morning. There is a tramway that connects the airport to the city center, but I presume you will be encumbered by plenty of luggage, so a taxi may be a more convenient choice.