I need to rent a car to Colle di Val d'Elsa after 3 days in Florence (staying just east of the Duomo) in May. I have decided on Hertz and already made a reservation via Kemwel for an automatic car from its Sansovino location (for both pick up and return). Now I have a concern about if this location might be able to fulfill its promise of an AUTOMATIC car when I arrive because of its smaller size (?). I recall reading somewhere that this problem could happen in Italy? Do you have any (bad) experience renting an automatic car from this location? Should I be concerned? I decided against the Borgo Ognissanti location (city center) because of fear of ZTL, especially on returning the car there since it is so close to ZTL. But should I reconsider? Which Hertz location would you recommend me using for pick up and return? Upon returning the car I'll go to the SMN train station. Thank you in advance.
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
Google maps will show the locations fairly accurately (I can't imagine there's more than one or two).
Also, AutoEurope's toll-free phone reps are glad to offer helpful information.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
There are 3 Hertz locations in Florence:
Airport
Sansovino
Ognissanti
Since I don't drive automatic cars by choice (all our cars even in the US have always been, and always will be, manual), I don't know which of the 3 facilities will have the largest choice of automatic cars. My position on automatic cars pretty much tells you that Italians, and Europeans in general, have no love for automatic transmission, therefore rental companies keep few in their fleet, because they are harder to resell. The Sansovino Hertz has a large lot like the airport one, but I don't know if that would translate into a higher chance of having automatic cars. It's probably more dependent on the number of Americans picking up at a location, because Americans are the only customers requesting automatic cars. Most Italians have never driven or seen one in their life.
The Ognissanti location is inside the ZTL and if you return there there is no chance to avoid the cameras, therefore you must make sure they enter your license plate in the City Website's White List within 24 hr from drop off. Picking up at Ognissanti will present no issues as the ZTL cameras are located only at entry points, not at exit points, therefore there is no chance of getting photographed as you drive away after pick up. In terms of convenience of location, going to (or coming from) Colle VE, Sansovino is the best location.
Posted by
Firenze
500 posts
The new tram line T1 has a stop by the Sansovino parking area and goes directly to Firenze SMN where it ends on the via Alamanni side of the station. This is the cheapest and quickest way to move between the locations.
Posted by
OP
38 posts
Thank you for these bits of valuable information. They give me confidence that Sansovino is the best option for me.