Gas stations and Tolls in Italy / seeking current info

We were in Italy last Spring.

Am Express is not more widely accepted anywhere and don't remember seeing it being accepted at toll booths or filling stations.

Not aware of anyway to pre-paid tolls. It probably exists but don't remember seeing any electronic toll similar to what we have in the US. Maybe the rental company would have information on that subject.

Personally I would be sure to carry enough cash to cover your tolls until you are absolutely certain that your credit cards work. Some US chip and pin cards don't always work. Do watch you gas level. We always chose manned stations. Diesel is always messy and smelly so I let someone else get dirty. Sunday was always a problem because many stations are closed.

Eric,

You may want to check this website to help you figure out travel distances, fuel & toll cost for your planned route:http://www.viamichelin.com

If you are planning to visit Florence, you may consider taking the high speed train from Milan to Florence then
visiting Pisa (on a day trip from there) then renting the car in Florence (after your visit).

You need to be aware of the ZTL's (Zona a Traffico Limitato = limited traffic zone) which exists in many cities (large & small) & the fines that you may incur (even a year later) if you cross them.

You may need to be a resident to get a discounted toll pass, but I'm not sure about that. Hopefully Roberto will correct me if I'm wrong. There are electronic toll lanes, restricted to passholders.

It's not difficult to pay at toll booths, there are plenty of lanes open (it's driving a car in Italy, after all), look for the lane that takes the payment you want to use.

American Express is not as widely accepted as it used to be. Your first choice should be a staffed filling station (attendant will pump the gas) and you can pay with most credit cards.

When my friends and I rent a car, we usually rent a diesel, which in Italy costs less than gasoline. Have your state driver's license and your International Driving Permit (necessary for each driver) with you.

Tobacconists sell a pre-paid card called VIACARD. It comes in three different sizes: 25, 50 and 75€.

No need to be a resident to buy it. Just go to a tobacconist and ask for one. At every toll station you'll find dedicated lanes marked "CARTE" (cards, in italian) in blue lettering.

https://www.autostrade.it/it/il-pedaggio/pagamento-al-casello

I used cash for both. At the toll booth, the picture of a hand with cash means there's a live cashier, not just a machine that takes cash.

Thank you all! This is very helpful. We will be sure to have the cash on hand if there is any issue with our credit cards. I guess Visa/MasterCard will be the way to go when it comes to using credit cards. (Thought it would be nice to rack up more Delta points on my Delta Amex :) -- guess I can do that when paying for the hotels). The viamichelin site looks like it will be very useful, Thank you. I've read about the ZTL so will be on our guard. Actually planning on seeing Venice - then Florence following a cruise (disembarkation in Venice) so will concentrate on the hill top towns in Tuscany and Umbria, pre-cruise. The VIACARD sounds very interesting. We will need to caculate how much driving (and tolls) we might encounter. I will check on the desiel rental availabitliy, too. Thank you again!

As a newbie to this site I very much appreciate (and admire) the wealth of travel knowledge shared.

Eric

Tutor is the automated speed check system on the autostrada, and it will track you over many km. Speeding and then stopping at a rest area won't defeat it. Don't speed. You don't know where the monitor zones are like the locals.

Expect ZTLs in smaller towns too.

Don't speed, at all, on other roads, either. You won't see the cameras. There has been a report here of earning a ticket (near Venice) at just 8 kph over the posted limit.

Thank you very much for the warning, Nigel. Sounds like a highly sophistcated system.

And don't count on your hotel taking the AE card unless it is five star. Then they might. Most hotels in Italy prefer cash and other will give a discount that is worth more than a few points you might earn on your Delta card.

If you fill between 7am and 7pm on weekdays the stations are manned (except maybe a couple hours at lunch break). On the freeway I think they are always manned. Diesel fuel (most cars there are diesel since diesel fuel is taxed less) is nasty and nowhere scented like Chanel no. 5 therefore let the attendant do the work. During unattended hours you can use euro bills at the pump if your card doesn't work. Tolls can be collected electronically but only by Telepass transponders (by going thru express toll gates with the yellow TELEPASS sign). I doubt rental companies provide the Telepass transponders ( if they do they probably charge extra) therefore go for the cash logo lane ( white sign) or the Blue CARTE sign with a VIACARD (prepaid preloaded card where money is deducted like from gift cards).

Thank you Frank and Roberto. A cash discount would definitely be a good thing at hotels. All they can say is no.

I will need to check if Hertz has diesel vehicles - never thought about them or that they might be more economical. Thanks for the tips!

Most rentals are diesel. Finding a gasoline engine is more difficult. You probably will get a diesel without asking.

On motorways stations usually have both manned (servito) and self-service pumps; the self-service pumps are a little cheaper. Should you try to self serve, just remember that you have to preprogram the pump with a couple of buttons stating how many euros you want to spend - a full tank is a pieno. You pay after you have filled.

In urban or suburban zones, self-service pumps are pay first, then serve. There is usually a machine, you pay there and choose the number of the pump, then you fill

Thank you ASPS2 - good to know that in advance!

we stopped at Auto Grill ( I think that is a brand name ) upon the recommendation of our friend who drives Venice to Slovenia once or twice a year. in addition to gas, you can go inside, drive an espresso from a real cup, order a sandwich, etc., and eat in on a real plate, and of course, buy souvenirs and candy bars.....it was an interesting little cultural experience.

@doric8 - I did a search and found AutoGrill - has quite a history - partly owned by the Benneton family. 90% of business from concesisons at airport terminals and motorway service areas.

Eric
In case you drive on the Autostrada. Those are toll freeways where you pick up a ticket on the entrance ramp (don't lose the ticket it's needed to pay toll) and pay the toll based on the distance traveled at the booth on the exit ramp (just like a parking lot).

The rest areas inside the motorway system are full service areas. They have gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, and in some places, even hotels. They are 'concessions' that have to pay the concession fee to the freeway operator (a corporation called "Autostrade Per L'Italia Inc.").
Even if you don't need for gas or bathroom you absolutely must stop and go inside. I don't think anything similar exists in America. AutoGrill is one of the restaurants chains that have concessions on the motorway. Eat there. Some of the best food is served there. It's cafeteria style, not expensive but great. I wish we had Autogrill in America on the interstates instead of nasty McDonalds.

Thank you Roberto. Sounds like a good example of how to enjoy a local experience.