Rental car size?

How many people do you need to stuff in it?

Just 2. No luggage since we are only using it for day trips.

Get the smallest one you can. You'll appreciate it on the narrow roads and, since the cost of a short-term rental is pretty stiff anyway, small will lessen the wallet damagge quite a bit.

All I see are manuals when I do a search....how do I get an automatic?

Use kayak.com. Put in the place, date, etc - - then start the search. That first results page that pops up will give you an option to select autotrans down toward the bottom left.

Thank you! Wow automatics are a lot more expensive....

Sarah, the availability of cars with automatic transmission tends to be far more limited in Italy... and as you've found out, far more expensive. Another problem is that smaller, out-of-the-big-city car rental vendors often don't have an automatic transmission car in stock. Don't be surprised if you get to a local vendor and he shrugs and says, "Sorry" despite you having a prepaid rental agreement in your hand. You can read of reports where folks waited for hours for an automatic transmission car to be returned at major airports and train stations in Italy. If you know have to drive a manual you will save some money. Also, the smaller cars tend to have manual transmissions so you may be forced, unwillingly, into a larger car – and higher costs. Do make sure you bring your International Driving Permit with you, avoid the ZTL's like these in Rome, and you'll enjoy driving in that part of Italy. My wife and I always argue about who gets to drive when we are in Tuscany... not the case in Rome as I'm always stuck driving.

Well darn I don't know how to drive manual...ami totally out of luck?

When are you going? Why don't you learn to drive a manual? Also, if you rent at the Florence airport with one of the US companies... Hertz, Avis, Budget...you might be more likely to be assured an automatic. I needed an automatic once when I had a cast on my right arm and did not want to deal with shifting, and had no problem getting one, but yes, it did cost more. Also, check out the weekly rate. It might be cheaper and you can always return it early. I call all the rental places and look on line. When I find a reasonable rate I hold it, then keep checking and cancel if I find something better. (At the Florence airport I think Budget and Avis are one and the same)

Thanks Terry. I feel dumb saying this, but i've tried to learn a manual and had no luck. We are staying in Lucca, so renting from the ap isn't really an option (we fly in and out of Rome and are taking the train to Lucca). We only have 2 days free to use a rental. We may just have to give up our hopes of visiting the hill towns if we can't get an automatic. Thanks everyone!

Clare, it is (and has been for years) the law in Italy that USA drivers must supplement their US state-issued driver's license with an IDP. Many rental vendors never ask, but if you have an accident, a moving violation, or get stopped at one of these... you'll probably wish you had one. Read the link above for more details. I've rented cars many times in Italy and have only been asked five or six times for my IDP. I've also been stopped at roadblocks (most often on my motorino over by the Vatican) and there I have been asked for my IDP. Many people question whether they should get one. I'm not going to get into the ongoing debate, "Do I really need one?" Simply put, it's the law. For those that may consider not getting one, would you drive in your hometown without your legal driver's license? In Italy, this is the 2nd part of your required license if you're a US citizen.

Sarah, keep looking at larger locatons and perhaps with international vendors (who probably see this request more often) for an automatic transmission vehicle. Hertz, Avis, etc. might be your best bet. You may have better luck dealing directly with them, rather than dealing with a consolidator... Good Luck in your search.

You actually may want to check w/your hotel in Lucca, and see if they can recommend a driver for you. We did this in Sicily and it was the best two days I've EVER had on any trip. It was no more expensive than a rental car, and his local knowledge was priceless! We liked him so much, and he was shy, we insisted he eat lunch with us and so the next day he took us to his Cousin's large farm (more like country estate) two days later where his Aunt made lunch
for everyone. Just check! It may be do-able~

You can find an automatic just keep trying. It was critical for us to have one. We rented a minivan and suvived despite the large size. Tough in the cities but between major cities the roads are pretty large. By the way, I didn't mind the driving of the large car, it was finding parking that was a pain. If you dare to drive to Florence, just find a parking garage and park it until you leave.

@Ron I've rented cars in Italy 3 times in the last 4 years and have never been asked for an International Drivers license. Is this something new?

Donna - I love that idea....we are staying in an apartment though. Anyone have any suggestions along those lines?

most rental cars in Italy will be stick shift and diesel hiring a driver may be a good idea it will cost more but you will get to enjoy the scenery, learn about the areas and you tailor the day to your interests wihtout worrying about parking, filling up the car, traffic zones... checkout the tripadvisor forums for drivers
there are a couple of driver's based out of Florence that are highly recommended

I found and automatic at Pisa ap. Would that pretty easy to do from Lucca?I don't want it to be a pain/hassle to go get the car.

You can take the train to the Pisa airport from Lucca. It should take you about 50 minutes. You usually change trains at Pisa Centrale and it's about 5-10 minutes to the airport. Don't know where the rental cars are in relation to the train station at the airport, but I believe that everything is fairly close. Remember though, that just because you have a reservation for an automatic that doesn't always mean that an automatic will be there when you go to pick up the car.

Can someone link me to the "horror" stories of people not getting the automatics they rented? I could also take the train to Florence to get a car, but we aren't sightseeing in Florence. Harder to drive out of Florence?

Can't send you a link, but have heard this numerous times about the surprise of getting a manual when ordering an automatic. We just rented out of Paris and we used HERTZ! Paris is a big city, and Pisa very small. I would still try to find a driver for a day or two. I sent you a private message This will be a very big deal if you are unable to drive the stick and go through all of the bother to get to Pisa from Lucca, only to find a manual trans! This will also all time considered waste pretty much an entire day of your vaca and Ron knows what he's talking about legally add in the International Drivers License hassle, and you may find the private driver
option not such a big deal after all! Check the private message!!

I guess the most basic question is, do you really need a car? Some research from home might help you choose the places you want to visit. The tourist office in Lucca can probably recommend tours, or private drivers - worth finding out before you go to all the trouble and backup plans for renting a car. And remember, the driver's ability to sightsee from behind the wheel is limited.