T2 Tram in FLR to SMN with luggage

Why not just pick up and drop off in Florence?

There are multiple posts here explaining how to do that safely

Make sure all drivers have an IDP-required by law

And yes to both of your questions
You will have to take shuttle from airport to rental agencies

We always use AutoEurope.com to book our rentals
Rates at the airport pick up are usually slightly higher than at train station

Your previous post has more info-or have your plans changed?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/warned-not-to-drive-from-san-gimignano-to-rome-legit-warning

Why not pick up and drop off in Florence by the train station? Cause I'm a big scardy cat about the ZTLs.

Ok
I get that!

Pick up at FLR, drop at FCO
Does that still work with your plans?

Getting back in to Florence to drop it has same ZTL risks as exiting Florence

I would take a taxi from Florence right to the rental agency location -offsite at airport
Probably about 24 euros

If you don’t want to drive all the way to FCO consider dropping in Orvieto (Hertz only) then train to Rome …but your previous post indicates you are not actually planning to go into Rome so that means another step to FCO

Thank you. I appreciate your response. Have a good evening. :)

Where are you going with your rental? If you plan to visit places south of Siena then you might as well drive to Rome instead of backtracking to Florence and take a train (at $75 per person). ZTL cameras immortalize you on exiting the ZTL, not on entry.

Hi Roberto,

After a few days in Florence (with no car), we planned to take a taxi (or Tram) to FLR to pick up a rental. Then drive to Montepulciano for a few days and explore that area. Then return the car rental at FLR, take a taxi or tram to SMN, then SMN to Rome, then taxi to the Hilton at the Airport. Personally, I would rather drive from Montepulciano to Rome to avoid doubling back up to FLR, but it's my first time driving, and I figured my plan is a bit safer, although more expensive. I'm welcome to ideas/suggestions of course.

Since the Hertz SMN garage is in (on the edge) of the ZTL, they register all of their vehicle license plates with the parking system. This gives you temporary permission (24 hours?) in that ZTL. You just head north or west out of the city and you're good. Same thing happens when you return the car. When you return it, the plate gets uploaded to the ZTL system and you have retroactive permission for that day.

Honestly it'll be a lot simpler, and likely cheaper, to use the Hertz at SMN

I am getting confused. what is SMH?

Thank you. Good catch. I use the acronym SMH in my work a lot so my brain short circuited. I'll edit that post

Whether you want to get the car at Hertz at SMN or at the airport is up to you. The airport is farther, of course, and often more expensive to rent because they add airport fees and stuff.
Check www.autoeurope.com and enter as pick up point FLORENCE ALL LOCATIONS.
That way you will see the difference in rental price between Hertz city center (located on Via Alamanni, next to the station) or the airport.

If you pick up at Hertz downtown on via Alamanni, this is the safe route from the office to Porta al Prato (outside the ZTL).
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bznWGgHKNqk76HGt6
Follow it closely, and use the Street View feature of Google Maps to become visually familiar with the route

There are no ZTL cameras along this route, however the last portion of Via della Scala (a one way street) from the corner of Via Bernardo Rucellai to the street light before Porta Al Prato, the right lane is a BUS LANE ONLY, and there is a camera enforcing that lane. Therefore stay ON THE LEFT LANE, which is open to all.

Below is the image of the last portion of Via della Scala, you can see the bus lane on the right, while the lane on the left is open to all. The camera is hidden behind the road sign with the white circle and red border, road sign means NO VEHICLES ALLOWED (except for permitted vehicles listed below, in this case, buses and taxi) and it is a very common sign used in Europe, so become familiar with it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UDa83Za5UD4vSW7r5

I don't know if Hertz uses the garage located next to the office. If that is the case the route is the one indicated above. If Hertz tells you that you must pick up the car at the station underground garage, this is the way out of that garage to Porta al Prato. Once again become familiar with the route.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gU5UogEXfSBWNWKm7

Once you are at Porta al Prato (which is safe, since outside the city center), these are the directions to the A1 freeway entrance called FIRENZE SCANDICCI. Once there, get your ticket at the toll boot dispenser, then follow directions to Roma, to go southbound on the freeway. Then follow your navigator to whichever destination you want next.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dhjmnvpTHhxvd8V66

If you pick up at Hertz at the airport, you need the T2 light rail tramway, then the car rental shuttle from the airport terminal to the rental car center.
From the Hertz to the same freeway entrance (FIRENZE SCANDICCI) this is the route:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xTT3QkyceENfisqV8

Watch out for the Speed Cameras along the route. There will be two from the airport and one from downtown to the freeway. Stay under 50 km/h.

If you are going to Montepulciano, it really makes absolutely no sense backing track to Florence, since your final destination is Rome. Montepulciano is almost half way between Florence and Rome. DRIVE TO ROME. It's easy.

If you return the car at Hertz in the city of Rome, this is the route from Montepulciano. The first destination you should go is the freeway Service Area called LA RUSTICA NORD. That is where I stop for refueling the rental car before returning to Rome (city center). This is the route from Montepulciano to that Service Area.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9XZy5nPyhzzuVTKn8
I think the Hertz at Termini station in Rome is at the Parking on Via Marsala (under the Termini station). This is the route from the Service area above:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Gr6JSXUCeGe6nh16
If you prefer to return the car at the Hertz at the Tiburtina station (even easier to reach), this is the route.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/e2s1pheb5jg3D8T3A
Both Termini and Tiburtina station are far away from the ZTL in Rome, so they are safe. You just need to pay attention to speed cameras and bus lanes. If you follow the Google Map directions it will send you the right way, and also warn you about speed cameras.

If you need to return the car at the Rome Fiumicino airport this is the way to go. First you need to stop to refuel at the PISANA ESTERNA service area. This is the route from Montepulciano (it's all freeway)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y1NPZBZM2qNkksYq8

Then after refueling, return the car at the airport. This is the route to the Parking tower A (Hertz is located on this parking tower, on the 1st floor).
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yuhfgKZQiGsfb6Mz5

Rick Steves should send me a check for all this work I'm doing for his traveling clients.