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Italy Train and rental car

Traveling by train from Rome to Florence then need to find a relatively close Hertz location to avoid fines from driving within city limits. Can anyone recommend which departure and arrival train station we should choose? We are staying at the Courtyard Rome Central Park Via Giuseppe Moscati 7 · Rome, 00168 Italy. Also, which Hertz location is best? We are driving to Barga, Lucca then to Bellagio.

Posted by
32329 posts

Marci, The Courtyard Rome Central Park seems to be a bit "distant" from the main tourist sites and rail stations, so the easiest solution for the trip to Florence would probably be to take a Taxi to one of the main stations (your hotel can arrange a reliable service). If you're using Trenitalia, depart from Roma Termini. If you're using Italo, depart from Roma Ostiense or Tiburtina. Your destination station in Florence will be Firenze S.M. Novella. If you're willing to commit to a specific train and departure time, you can pre-book your tickets online. I don't have any information on which Hertz locations are outside the Zona Traffico Limitato areas. Hopefully one of the others will be able to provide that information. You could rent at the airport in Florence, although the cost would likely be higher. Note that Lucca and many other towns also have ZTL areas. For driving in Italy, note that EACH driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. Failure to produce an I.D.P. if requested can result in fines on the spot! You can obtain I.D.P.'s at any CAA / AAA office for a small fee. Happy travels!

Posted by
15897 posts

Hertz has 3 locations in Florence: - 137-Red Borgognissanti - 53 via del Sansovino
- Florence Airport The first one is the closest to the station, about 10 min walk. Borgognissanti is a street where most rental companies are located. It is within the ZTL, however exiting will not be a problem, there are no cameras on exit. Just drive west on Borgognissanti (one way westward only), which becomes Via Il Prato. Continue straight until you reach Piazza di Porta Al Prato. There is an ancient tower where the Porta al Prato (Prato City Gate) is. Take the boulevard to the right and go straight on it for a while. You'll go under 2 underpasses. Follow directions to the airport or the green signs to Autostrade A1 and A11 (for Pisa). The A-11 freeway starts next to the airport. Just go straight toward Pisa/Viareggio. Exit at Lucca. Rental cars at the airport are more expensive because of the ridiculous airport fees they add in Europe.