Florence is the gateway to Tuscany, and renting a car here transforms a city break into an unforgettable road trip through rolling hills, medieval villages, and some of the world's finest wine regions. The city itself is best explored on foot, but everything around it demands a car.
Florence Airport (FLR), also known as Peretola or Amerigo Vespucci, is just 5 km from the city center. It is small but has all major rental companies represented. Pisa Airport (PSA), officially Galileo Galilei, is a larger alternative 80 km west and often has cheaper flights and rental rates. If flying into Pisa, you can drive to Florence in about 1 hour 15 minutes via the FI-PI-LI highway (free, no tolls). Many travelers pick up at one airport and drop off at the other for a one-way Tuscan loop.
Florence's ZTL is notorious among tourists. The restricted zone covers the entire historic center — from Santa Maria Novella to Santa Croce, the Duomo to the Arno. Unlike Rome's ZTL, which has specific active hours, the core Florence ZTL is enforced essentially around the clock. Hotels within the ZTL can register your plate for a temporary access permit, but only for loading and unloading (typically 30-60 minutes), not for general driving or parking.
The real magic begins outside the city. The Chianti region between Florence and Siena is a wine lover's paradise, with the SR222 (Via Chiantigiana) winding through vineyards and olive groves past estates offering tastings. Allow a full day. The Val d'Orcia south of Siena is perhaps the most photographed landscape in Italy, and driving its quiet roads at your own pace is far superior to any bus tour. Head west to Lucca, a charming walled city perfect for a half-day visit, or east to Arezzo for Piero della Francesca's frescoes and an authentic Tuscan market town.
Tuscan roads range from excellent motorways to narrow, winding country lanes. The superstrada (expressway) network between major cities is generally good and often toll-free. Rural roads, especially in Chianti and Val d'Orcia, can be unpaved white gravel (strade bianche) — beautiful but slow. Check your rental agreement, as some exclude unpaved road coverage. Fuel stations in rural Tuscany may close for lunch (13:00-15:30) and on Sundays, though automated pumps accepting cards are increasingly common.
Italian speed limits are 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on expressways, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 50 km/h in towns. Speed cameras (autovelox) are common and the fines are significant. Your rental company will forward any fines to your credit card months later.
Park at one of the large facilities on the edge of the ZTL and walk in. Parcheggio Parterre near Piazza della Libertà, Garage Europa, and the Fortezza da Basso garage are all well-located. For free parking, try the residential areas around Campo di Marte station (20-minute walk to the center) or drive to the hilltop at Piazzale Michelangelo for free street parking with a panoramic view of the city.
You can pick up a rental car at these airports near Florence:
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| Zone | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ZTL Centro Storico | Fine €80-€160 | The entire historic center within the old walls is a restricted traffic zone. Cameras enforce 24/7 in some sections. Rental cars are never exempt. |
| Blue Line Street Parking | €1.50-€2.50/hr | Available outside the ZTL. Pay via EasyPark app or meters. Time limits vary by zone (1-4 hours). |
| Parcheggio Parterre / Garage Europa | €15-€25/day | Large public garages on the edge of the ZTL. Parterre near Piazza della Libertà is popular. Book ahead in summer. |
Traffic note: Florence has one of Italy's strictest ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) systems, covering essentially the entire area within the Renaissance walls. The ZTL is active every day including weekends and holidays in the core zone, making it nearly impossible to drive legally in the historic center. Cameras at every entry point capture license plates, and multiple entries mean multiple fines. Traffic around Florence is congested on the Viali (ring boulevards) during rush hours. The A1 motorway exit for Firenze Sud is often jammed. Narrow streets in the hills around Fiesole and Piazzale Michelangelo require careful driving.
Compare car rental prices in Florence → →Book your Florence rental online at least 2 weeks ahead — airport desk walk-up prices are typically 30-50% higher.
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A perfectly preserved medieval city famous for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, stunning cathedral, and the frenzied Palio horse race. The drive through Chianti wine country is half the experience.
Known as the Manhattan of the Middle Ages for its 14 surviving medieval towers. Tiny but photogenic, with excellent Vernaccia white wine and gelato that has won world championships.
The UNESCO-listed landscape of rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, and hilltop towns like Pienza and Montalcino. The classic Tuscany postcard drive, best in spring when poppies bloom or autumn for harvest colors.
Rental companies in Italy charge $15-30/day for excess reduction at the desk. Standalone policies cover the same thing for a fraction of the cost — and you can buy before you go.
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These policies reimburse you if the rental company charges your card for damage. They do not replace the rental company's basic insurance (CDW/TP) which is always included.
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Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-25.
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