Thanks to everyone for their help to previous questions!
We have our trip planned out for June/July. We are starting out in Rome and taking a train to Orvieto. In Orvieto we are renting a car for day trips. Our question is: Should we drive to Florence or take a train out of Orvieto? We are renting from Hertz and would prefer to drive. Does anyone know where we could turn in our rental before we get to Florence? I don't think we would want to drive into Florence. Thanks!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Anna, renting a car to visit Umbria and Tuscany is just great. However, a strong warning not to take the car into Florence unless you know where you are going and you know where the Zona Traffico Limitados are located. ZTLs are all over Florence. As you enter these zones, cameras will snap a picture of your rear license plate. BIG ticket (up to 150E) in the mail about a year later. Your rental car company will rat you out. And, as you drive around, you can accumulate more. I would suggest that you find a place to turn in the car before proceeding into Florence.
Posted by
OP
San Antonio, TX, United States
9 posts
Thanks Larry. We had heard about those fines in Florence. We are leery about driving in Florence. We are wondering if there is a town outside of Florence where we can turn in our rental car? I think our next step is to check maps and with Hertz.
Any other suggestions?
Posted by
Petaluma, Northern California
345 posts
Hi Anna,
I have used the Hertz at the airport in Florence. It is very convenient to arrive/depart by auto and to find the car rental because it's such as small airport. I recommend it. Also, Hertz was very organized and the transaction was simple and smooth.
(I don't know if there are other Hertz locations near Florence. You could call and ask.)
Cab fare from FLR airport to the historic center is a flat rate of $20 Euro plus one Euro for each bag. If you have two people this makes the price competitive with the bus. It is certainly much easier and faster.
Since you have the luxury of a car consider making good use of it and stay off the autostrada on your way to Florence. (Get on the autostrada just south of the city to get to the airport.) I can't remember any routes we have taken without consulting a map, (besides the obvious SR222 Chiantigiana) but you should have no problem finding an interesting route through charming towns that you won't read about in a guide book.
Have fun.