Ponte Vecchio Parking in Florence

Thanks for the reply! Yes I realize they call it in, but of course I've heard so many terrible stories about the ZTL but have yet to actually read (maybe I missed it?) a story about someone who parked in a garage, specifically asked for them to call in their info, and still got a ticket.

And, any recommendations for garages near the Ponte Vecchio would be great. We can't walk too far w/ the luggage so this is why I am sticking with this particular area. Thank you!

Have you asked the rental agency where you can park.Maybe they can suggest a place that is outside of town on the bus route.

Why do you need a car in Florence? The only use for a car is to explore the countryside. In that case, rent from the airport (well outside the ZTL) and hop on the autostrada from there. Don't count on any garage attendant or a hotel for that matter to phone in your license number to the authorities. You will find out well after the fact that it was not done, and then it will be too late, and you will have no recourse.

Thanks for the replies!!

We are picking up a car in Rome on our 4th day of a 19 day trip. We will have it from then until we arrive in Venice, and will be driving all over (Rome-Pompei-Sorrento-Positano (or bus, this is a day trip from Sorrento)-Orvieto-Siena (& around tuscany)-Florence-Varenna-Venice...I've priced out dropping the car off at the airport in florence, taxi/train in, then as we leave, picking up a new car and it's MUCH cheaper just to pay 25euros/night to park & keep the car (and ten times more convenient, as we'll have lots of wine from our time in Tuscany.

I did hear back from the Ponte Vecchio garage and they said that we should call (though not 100% sure they said WE should, lang. difference made what they said difficult to understand).

Anyway, I am just looking for previous experience w/ either parking garages near the ponte vecchio or getting ZTL tickets after the garage specifically stated they will call in the license plate #...

TIA! :)

Lauren:

This paragraph is from a website giving specific information on Florence ZTL's:

"It is permissible to drive to a hotel within the restricted traffic zones or to a parking garage, but IT IS IMPERATIVE that the hotel or garage communicates your license plate number to the traffic authorities. Do not assume that this will be done - ask them to make the call and then check later that it was made. My advice is to ask your hotel about this before you arrive. If they appear not to have experience in this sphere, then don't drive in town at all. Use a taxi and rent a car from a location outside the ZTL for excursions into the country. If you are arriving by car from elsewhere, park outside the restricted zone and walk or use a taxi to reach your hotel."

This warning is from this website: http://www.bella-toscana.com/traffic_violations_italy.htm

In the last several years, we've had reports from a few travelers saying their Florence hotel was supposed to call in their license plates, but they nevertheless received one or more $150 ZTL tickets in the mail months after their trip.

I can't recall any postings here, one way or the other, on whether an overnight parking garage in Florence did or did not call in a license plate. Not so many travelers (reporting in on this forum) seem to use rental cars or overnight parking garages in Florence. That's one reason we don't have more info on this.

You may be able to get a more specific reply by going here.

While I can not address your question specifically Lauren, we did successfully venture through the ZTL to our hotel and NOT get a ticket. They gave us very clear instructions when we made the reservation. I stayed with the car with the letter they had given us while hubby went up to the registration desk. Within minutes a hotel representative came down with hubby, helped us unload the car and took off with it. They returned it to us when we checked out. 35E a night for parking but still cheaper than dropping off and getting a new car. We drove out exactly as we were told and never heard another word.!!!

Safe Travels!