My husband and I will be traveling in rural Umbria and Tuscany and then returning our rental car in Florence. We expect not to take the Auto Strada, in favor of the more peaceful rural roads. I have 2 questions: (1) how to pay for gas, without a pin and chip card (I have a chip and Signature Card) where there is no attendant and (2) where to refill the gas tank near the Hertz return on Borgo Ognissanti in Florence. Any advice would be much appreciated. Again, grazie mille to Roberto for all his help.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16240 posts
Responded to your private message to q. (1).
On question (2). I need to know where exactly you are coming from that day and your intended itinerary, since you don't plan to travel on the Autostrada at all and also whether you will be returning on Sunday.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8371 posts
I had no problem finding drive in markets that were staffed by people. They can always enter the credit card numbers in manually and get your signature. The chip cards should work.
Yea, Roberto's the man when it comes to Tuscany & Florence.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I also managed to stop for gas at stations that were staffed and chose to pay with cash.
Posted by
OP
Berkeley, California, US
656 posts
Hi Roberto, I just sent you a private message but thought perhaps I should post it here as well, as it may benefit other readers.
Grazie mille, Roberto.
That's great to hear that all gas stations have attendants Monday through Saturday. Good advice about having the attendance refuel. I was wondering if I should request a diesel engine. We have booked a four-door economy, Fiat Punto or similar. Any thoughts about requesting diesel? We will be driving into Florence on Saturday early afternoon (1 PM-3 PM no attendant noted). We will arrive through Porta Romana via RA3 or via SP484 and SR222. I've looked on Michelin maps and route planners and it looks like via Senese to via Del Gelsomino(via RA3) has several gas stations. If we were to choose the 2nd route, it looks like we would have to backtrack onto via del Gelsomino to find gas. In any case, it looks like there are no places to get gas between our B&B on via dei Serrag;i and the Hertz rental return. But I'm thinking that it's no big deal if they charge us for a liter or 2 of gas. Again, all your help is very much appreciated.
Kay
Posted by
OP
Berkeley, California, US
656 posts
Thanks Laura and David. I was concerned because on a trip to France a year and a half ago we ran into some serious problems with unattended gas stations. Roberto had also said that there were attendants most of the time, Sundays and lunch times accepted. Very good to know. So again, many thanks.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
When I travel with friends, we rent a diesel; our "driver" says it is more fuel-efficient than regular gas. Might save you a stop.