Car Rental in Florence

Why rent a car in Florence?

Not only is it one of the most beautiful cities in Italy (and indeed, Europe), it also serves as a great starting point for exploring the surrounding region of Tuscany.

Top ways to enter Florence

• Florence Airport (FLR): Located near the city center, Florence Peretola Airport (also known as Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport) serves such varied European destinations as Spain, the United Kingdom, Albania, and Moldova, as well as many domestic destinations.
• Pisa Airport (PSA): Just over an hour’s drive from Florence and popular with low-cost carriers, flying to nearby Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport is another great way to reach Florence.
• Bologna Airport (BLQ): An hour and a half’s drive north of Florence, Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport is one of the largest and busiest in Italy.
• Livorno Port: Around a 90-minute drive west of Florence, Livorno Port also has car rental facilities. Ferries from Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Barcelona arrive at the port.
• Milan airports. Milan, the main metropolis of Northern Italy, is not exactly next door to Florence if you look at the map, but being served by three international airports can make it a convenient gateway to Tuscany. The largest, Malpensa Airport, is also the farthest and can be reached in about four hours, while the other two, Bergamo and Linate, are slightly closer.

City facts

• The capital of the region of Tuscany, Florence has more than 1,500,000 inhabitants living in its metropolitan area.
• The hottest months in Florence are July and August when the average daily high temperature reaches around 25 °C (77 °F), although it can get much warmer during the day. The coldest months are December and January when the average temperature is about 6.5 °C (44 °F).

Top sights and activities

• Uffizi. It is no exaggeration to say that Uffiz, the trademark of Florence, is one of the most important art museums in the world. Dating back to the late 16th century and thus very much encompassing the spirit of the birthplace of the Renaissance, it is home to too many famous works of art to be named. Visit its English-language website to learn more about admission or take a preview peak by treating yourself to a virtual tour. 
• Gallery of the Academy. Though its most centrally situated, and most famous, work of art is undoubtedly Michelangelo’s statue of David, the Galleria dell’Academia is also home to masterpieces of such masters as Botticelli and del Sarto. The relatively small museum welcomes about 1.5 million visitors every year.
• Palazzo Vecchio. Still functioning as Florence’s town hall, this impressive palace is an impressive architectural monument.  Don’t miss the Hall of 500 or the Hall of Geographic Maps.. It is also famous for the replica of Michelangelo's "David" that’s placed right outside it, in the original location of the statue.
• Boboli Gardens. Visitors to this green area next to Pitti Palace can observe both interesting sculptures and great views of the rest of Florence.
• Piazza del Duomo. Florence’s  Cathedral Square is the beating heart of the city. Much of the city’s magnificent history can be read from the square’s buildings. These include the Cathedral itself, an Italian Gothic architectural masterpiece that is the third-largest church in the world, as well as Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, and the Duomo Museum.
• Bargello Museum. Another impressive art museum, the Bargello is located in a 13th-century building that served as a prison and barracks until the 19th century. Dedicated to the art of sculpture, the museum has a collection that includes the important works of many famous Renaissance artists — not just Michelangelo, but also Donatello, Giambologna, and many more. 

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. 
• The speed limit on the Autostrada (toll road) is 130 km/h, reduced to 110 km/h if it’s raining.  The speed limit on highways ranges from 90-110 km/h.  
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your driver’s license and International Driving Permit (if required for you) with you at all times.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers. Being over the allowed limit can result in hefty fines.
• The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.
• It’s easiest to park outside the city walls and walk or take public transport or a taxi into the historic center.  Blue lines are pay parking.
• Be careful not to enter the ZTL (zona traffico limitato - limited traffic zone) if you don’t have permission. 

Toll roads

There are numerous toll roads in Italy. The exact fee depends on the route of your choice and the type of a vehicle. See the official Italian toll road website for more information. Use the website’s toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.

Ideas for day trips

• Pisa. The main attraction of this nearby Tuscan city is, of course, its famous leaning tower, but the city also offers plenty in terms of history, character, and cuisine. Better yet, Pisa is just a stone’s throw from the Tuscan coastline and many enjoyable beaches. The drive from Florence takes about an hour and 20 minutes, with plenty of potential bucolic detours on the way. 
• Tuscan countryside. For many visitors, a trip to visit Chianti wineries is a highlight of their Italian travels. The surrounding hilltop  villages are idyllic. Head south to visit the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and photographer’s dream.  It’s also the home of pecorino cheese and famous wines like Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
• Arezzo. Just over an hours drive south of Florence lies Arezzo, a former Etruscan town. it is home to a lovely old town dereft of crowds. It also hosts a well-known antique market in the main square once a month. 
• Viareggio. Speaking of the coast, one good place to enjoy it is Viareggio, a small town about a 90-minute drive from Florence (and just north of Pisa). While most of Viareggio’s beaches are private, it can serve as a gateway to some lovely coastal spots in its immediate vicinity. Viareggio is also famous for its large and colorful carnival that takes place every February and, despite its name, is actually held in the town’s next-door neighbor of Torre del Lago.
• Lucca.  A favorite of many visitors of Tuscany, Lucca has a quiet city center, beautiful piazzas, and wide city walls that you can cycle on. Its main architectural landmark is the snow-white cathedral that’s built from marble obtained in the nearby hills. The inland capital of the province of the same name, Lucca is very near both Pisa and Viareggio, so all three can be visited on the same trip. 

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Italy is the Fiat Panda, followed by the Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact. 

Further destinations

For more about traveling around Italy with a rental car, check out our complete guide.

• Bologna. Near enough to make it a day trip – it is less than a two hour drive away – but so exciting you could easily spend weeks there, Bologna is one of the most interesting cities in the country. The mother of Italian cuisine and home to the oldest university in the world, it also boasts a large number of art and entertainment institutions, and a proud, unique cultural identity.
• Rome. Italy’s timeless capital can be explored for weeks, and its contemporary arts scene and amazing cuisine can very nearly rival its countless historic landmark.
• Southern Italy. Southern Italy’s impressive nature, incredible ruins, and hospitable locals are just a few reasons why some travelers like it even more than the north.

Car rental prices in Florence

• Convertibles - from $88 per day
• Small cars - from $27 per day
• Medium cars - from $29 per day
• Large cars - from $65 per day
• SUVs - from $39 per day
• Station wagons - from $50 per day
• Vans - from $141 per day
• Premium cars - from $105 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are things you can do to get a good rental deal in Florence:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. Visiting Mainland Italy during the low season might be at least two times cheaper than coming here during the high season of tourism.
• Visit during low seasons - outside of summer months and major holidays (like Easter, Ferragosto, Christmas).
• Explore pickup locations.  A nearby town that’s reached easily by train may have a better rate.
• Don’t rent a car for time you’ll spend in cities.  It will just sit in a parking lot or garage (and you’ll need to pay for parking!).
• Look into renting ‘open jaw’ - pick up your car in one destination and drop it off in another.  While you will likely need to pay a supplement for your car rental, you’ll save money on gas and tolls and you’ll save precious vacation time!
• Visit during the month the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Florence is the cheapest in April when renting a car - about 44% cheaper than the yearly average and a whopping 60% cheaper than renting a car in June.