Italy car rental

I would guess that there is very little demand from consumers for stand-alone GPS rentals. Most people simply use their phones and Google maps - just as they do at home.

Are you not familiar with how to navigate in a car using the Google (or if you refer, Apple) Maps app on a phone? It's no different in Italy, and then there's no learning curve for an unfamiliar GPS system.

If you keep shopping you may eventually find a place that offers an in-car GPS as an option, but I'd still question it's utility. The public seems to have spoken pretty clearly. "The wisdom of crowds"....hard to fight it if you aren't part of that crowd.

Tip: Don't forget to bring along a car mount for your phone.

Hi David,
Thanks for the reply. Yea I am familiar with using my phone I was just looking for the option of having the navigation built into the car as it’s usually better, larger maps and easier to follow.
I assume only specific cars include them.

Great tip bringing the device to hold my phone 👍

Thanks,
KS

I often rent in Florence (airport or downtown). Generally I rent with Hertz or Europcar., but always through AutoEurope (which is a broker/consolidator). Generally I rent a small SUV or a Station Wagon. Usually a Jeep (Compass or Renegade or Avenger) or a Opel Mokka. Last summer I had a Ford Focus Station Wagon, a very spacious (and very long) station wagon, Ford does not make those cars for the US market anymore (Ford sells only SUVs and Pick Up Trucks in the US market). In spite of being somewhat at the higher level segment, I don’t think they were equipped with GPS. Although I don’t remember frankly, since I used my phone’s Google Maps or Waze. All cars I’ve rented in recent years come with CarPlay, therefore make sure you have a cable to easily connect with your phone. The CarPlay screen in the car is large enough.
If your phone uses lightning cable this is what you need to connect to CarPlay.
https://a.co/d/0lWjfqM
If your phone uses USB-C cable this is what you need
https://a.co/d/37DnqBa
Most recent phones use the latter (USB-C)
Once you have your phone connected, then you can use your Google Maps or Waze in your phone. I recommend you use either in Italy because they warn you about hidden speed cameras, which in Italy (especially Tuscany) are ubiquitous. If you don’t want to have tons of speed tickets waiting for you when you get home, use those systems. I’ve had a car with built in GPS years ago. It was in the large segment but the built in GPS did not warn me of hidden speed cameras.
To be able to use your phone overseas you might need an international plan with your mobile phone provider. TMobile covers you overseas at no extra charge. AT&T and Verizon I think charge an extra $10 a day up to $100, but check with them. Another alternative is to buy a local Italian SIM card.

I assume only specific cars include them.

I would think any new car will have a screen as standard these days

I would not rent a car without an installed GPS. I rent quite often in Italy and have been very happy with SIXT. If you look at their site, you will find the option to add a GPS.

I rented with AutoEurope for many years before making the change to Sixt.

1) we used our Android phones for Maps navigation in Sicily, Tuscany, and France in the last two years. It was great.
2) we use T-Mobile, which has free data usage in Europe.
3) In our last two trips to Italy we used SicilyByCar.com

Let me reiterate that using Waze or Google Maps, is essential to avoid the possibility of getting speed tickets and also entering ZTLs.

If you plan to return in Chiusi, the only option is Avis-Budget, as it is the only game in town.

Orvieto has only Hertz, but AutoEurope does not work with that Hertz franchise location in Orvieto, apparently due to poor service of that agency. So in order to return to Orvieto you need to book directly with Hertz.

Neither town has Sixt. Sixt is available in Florence or Pisa airport only in the entire region of Tuscany.