Firstly, we are on a tight budget and I am wondering if you have any advice for car rental in Florence... on a Sunday. Many of the rentals are closed on Sunday (except Hertz and maybe the airport). I'm not sure how to go about renting a car there. I'm thinking about renting a car at 10 or 11am and taking a day trip exploring the countryside and hill towns.
Also if you have any places you love south of Florence, that you'de like to share, I'd love to hear. I plan on going to Siena and then taking the crete senesi drive. Has anyone done that. Did you like it? And how much driving should we expect coming from Florence.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA
166 posts
Hi there, Best place to rent in Florence is the airport. They have the widest range of rental companies and rental cars, the longest opening hours, and the easiest exit from the city, and it's quick and easy to get a taxi to get there. I check prices with Auto Europe and directly on Hertz and Avis websites. Auto Europe is usually the cheapest, but not always. The drive through the Crete Senese, and it is well worth it have done it every time we've been in the area. Incredible landscapes and vistas, with places to pull over at the side of the road to take photos or simply take it all in. For example: http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/italy-tuscany-lacrete/ The drive from Florence is easy from the airport, take the A11 Autostrada west to the main A1/E35, go South and take the "SI-FI" (Siena-Florence") exit towards Siena. You'll wind through the Chianti countryside it'll take about an hour (with normal traffic) to get to Siena from the airport. If you want to take a break, Monteriggioni is a neat walled town with very easy access to the main road. See http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/italy-tuscany-chianti-monteriggioni/ You can stop there for gelato and coffee, or a meal and a wander along the short main street. If you want to go straight to the Crete Senese, go past the Siena exits and at the end of the divided highway, make sure you go East towards Perugia & Asciano. Shortly after that, you'll see signs for the SP438 and the Crete Senese.
Posted by
OP
Kaysville, USA
21 posts
Thank you. Very helpful! Since my post, we have booked our car rental from Hertz downtown, or near the train station.
You info was very helpful. I am looking forward to the crete senesi drive and taking a million pictures!
Posted by
San Francisco, CA
166 posts
You're welcome :-) I'd still recommend you switch your pick up location to the airport. The train station Hertz location puts you right into very heavy traffic and a bear of a one-way system.