Renting and returning car Firenze Europcar

Roberto lives on west coast and usually a posts late at night

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Europcar's office is on Borgo Ognissanti for check in/paperwork, but then you have to walk back to the train station to pick up your actual car. exiting out via Valfonda this way I believe avoids the ZTL. Then you circle around the Fortezza to go the westerly route via SS2, or right to go to the SR222 easterly route.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kFvCw5ev6FhD3byS6

Your pick up directions are correct if they give you the car at the office on Borgo Ognissanti.
But I don't know if that is the case anymore since I haven't used Europcar downtown Florence for a few years (last time, in 2022 I picked up at Europcar at the airport). Maybe Europcar now will require you to walk to the SMN underground garage for pick up after the paperwork at the Borgo Ognissanti office.

If that is the case, then follow the Google Maps directions that bethb gave above to get out of the city.

However, since Google Maps gives two alternative directions from the Fortezza: one through Piazza della Libertà, and one through the Vittoria bridge and Piazza Gaddi, I would choose the latter, as the former is often congested, especially with the construction of the tramway line to Bagno a Ripoli, which I think just started.

Your Drop-Off directions are correct.

Following this thread too since we're picking up our Europcar as well at the above address. Hopefully someone who's rented recently can chime in as to their experience as well.

We will program into our app the driving directions you refer to Roberto. Thanks!

Thank you very much for your come back Roberto, really appreciate it! I'll see what they instruct me upon arrival and after the paperwork. We'll adjust accordingly thereafter.

Would you say it is "easy" or "easier" getting in or out these pick-up and drop-off location around the SMN station, since (form what I've seen online and on Google Maps) it avoids pretty much all the ZTLs zones, am I right ?

Anything to lookout for on this specific route (other then the 50km camera when coming back as well as the tram lane ?)

Will follow this thread also since maybe someone who's been recently could provide insight!

Have a good day!

In the past I've given directions from/to the Interparking Garage Europa located on Borgo Ognissanti across the street from the Europcar office and next to the Avis-Budget office.

Note that rental car companies no longer use that garage (which was very convenient since it was located next to all rental car offices), but rather they use the SMN underground garage.

As you can see in the Google Image below, there is a big sign now at that Interparking garage saying "NO RENTAL CARS" probably to dissuade renters from returning the car there like in the old days.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rpK1s4jBuTLNxvPU7

Our experience is from last May, for what it’s worth. We assumed that the garage on Via Borgo Ognissanti was still used…the Europcar office is still on that street. We arrived at the office, did the paperwork, and then had to walk back to the SMN underground garage..just a few blocks, but still….
Quick apologies at the office…and she did mention that the tiny Europcar desk in the garage would have had the same paperwork available. Not sure how you would check that ahead of time…and I definitely would make sure that the paperwork will be there…but you might call the office and ask. That might save you time. Again, this was a year ago, but the office person said that the nearby garage wouldn’t be used for several years.
Roberto’s directions are always spot on!