We plan to travel to Italy this fall and will be staying two nights in Florence then four nights in Northwestern Tuscany just outside Lucca and then on to Venice. We plan to rent a car upon leaving Florence to use while driving around Tuscany and then drop off the car and take the train to Venice. Does anyone know which location would be best (easiest) to pick up and drop off our car in relation to getting the train to Venice?Our hotel in Florence is an 11 min walk from the Santa Maria novella train station. Or would you recommend we drive from tuscany to venice since we will have our luggage?
Posted by
OP
Virginia
9 posts
Thank you! If we drop off the car outside lucca Is there a train station there that would take us to Venice?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15280 posts
The choices are:
Lucca
Florence
Venice
If luggage is a problem, drive to Venice and return the car at Piazzale Roma.
If you can handle the luggage on trains (I.e. if you know Hoepli to pack light), then return in Lucca or Florence and take a train.
Coming from Lucca returning the car at Florence airport is really convenient. From there you can take a taxi (or tramway or the Volainbus bus) to the Florence Santa Maria Novella station and catch the high speed train to Venice.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15607 posts
Check the prices for drop-off in a different location. I settled on Europcar (using AutoEurope to compare) for Tuscany/Umbria between stays in Florence and Rome. Every combination I tried had a drop-off charge of roughly $80-100. I opted for the Florence airport location which is also convenient because it's open 24/7 and I wouldn't have to drive into the city of Florence. The tram is fast and easy with luggage and goes from the Santa Maria Novella station to the airport. There's a quick shuttle bus to the rental car lots (they're all in one place).
Posted by
OP
Virginia
9 posts
Thank you everyone, that’s helpful!
Posted by
871 posts
The Florence airport complex is a short way from the terminal at Via Palagio degli Spini; cab to town. Or downtown at 96 Via Borgo Ognissanti, the Interparking Garage Europa [Hertz orvAvis]. No ZTL issues following a viamichelin map. Ten minute walk to the station.
Posted by
871 posts
Directions to degli Spini:
From the Autostrada del Sole (A1 / E35) take the exit for the Airport (E11). As soon as you leave the toll plaza you’ll see a gas station on the right. This is the LAST station you will see before you drop off the car. From here just stay on this road until you see IKEA. Take the next right after you see IKEA. Follow that around and look for the Rental Car entry on the right, the 3rd driveway.
Posted by
11250 posts
In Florence we picked up a rental car on Borgo Ognosanti which takes you near the Autostrada. Not difficult.