Car Rental in Pisa

Why rent a car in Pisa?

Pisa is a great place to pick up a rental car. It makes an excellent starting point for visiting many other interesting places in Tuscany and elsewhere in Italy.

Top ways to enter Pisa

• Pisa Airport (PSA): Small, but busy and modern, Pisa is served by more than 30 airlines, even though some of its destinations are only served during summer.  
• Florence Airport (FLR): About 80 minutes drive from Pisa, the airport serving Tuscany’s capital hosts flights to and from destinations in France, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and more than 15 other countries.
• By Rail: If you’re arriving in Pisa by train, you can conveniently pick up a rental car at the Pisa Centrale Railway Station.

City facts

• The average temperature in August, the hottest month, is 23.4 °C (74.1 °F), but can get significantly hotter during the day. The average temperature in January is 6.8 °C (44.2 °F). Due to its location, the city gets more rain than many other Italian cities.
• Some travelers are surprised to find out that Pisa is also very near the sea. Its suburbs, Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia, are on the Ligurian Coast.

Top sights and activities

• The Leaning Tower. By far the most famous of Pisa’s landmarks, Torre Pendente is, indeed, one of the symbols of the whole country. The bell tower took 199 years to finish, and it was finally ready in 1372 and has perplexed and attracted visitors ever since. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower, but there are obviously many who desire to do so, so it’s best to book tickets well in advance. 
• Pisa Cathedral. Not only a religious center and a beautiful building, but the Pisa Cathedral also hosts many famous paintings, sculptures, and mosaics by artists such as Giambologna, Della Robia, and Pisani. Its construction dates back to the 10th and 11th centuries, making it the oldest surviving structure on the Piazza dei Miracoli where you’ll also find the Leaning Tower. 
• Baptistry of St. John. Yet another landmark making up the architectural ensemble of Miracoli Square, this large Romanesque building is beloved by tourists because of the great views of the Leaning Tower that you can get from its upper floor. The baptistry, which took 210 years to build, is also known for its ornate dome that is half red and half gray.
• Camposanto Monumental Cemetery. A cemetery might not be the first place you plan to visit, especially in a city as steeped in history and culture as Pisa, but Camposanto might be a good exception to that rule. Known for its stunning Gothic cloister, it is also home to many impressive frescoes, sculptures, and archaeological relics.
• Pisa Botanical Garden. A green oasis in the city, the Pisa Botanical Garden was the first university botanical garden founded in the world (in the 1500s) and it’s still run by the University of Pisa today.  Inside, you’ll find a museum, multiple greenhouses, towering trees, herb gardens, and a thoroughly relaxing atmosphere.

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 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

• Florence. The capital of both the Tuscany region and the Renaissance, Florence continues to be one of the most fascinating cities in Italy – and Europe. The list of its architectural and artistic landmarks is practically endless, so much so that the dizzying impression it occasionally leaves on visitors has been given the name of Florence Syndrom. Should you be lucky not to suffer from that, coming here might be one of the highlights of your visit to Tuscany. A car trip from Pisa takes only about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Lucca.  A favorite of many travelers to Tuscany, Lucca has a quiet city center instantly recognizable for the colorful facades of its buildings, gorgeous piazzas, and – amazingly – wide city walls that have now been turned into cycling roads. Located just a 25 minute drive northeast of Pisa, it is also considerably less full of tourists and more hassle-free than its more famous neighbor.
• San Miniato. A somewhat secret culinary hotspot, charming San Miniato offers hip bars for aperitivo and excellent dining options. There’s also plenty of architectural landmarks to enjoy – the town has been inhabited for millennia – and if you’re visiting in November, it would be a crime to miss out on the annual truffle festival. A car trip from Pisa takes only about 45 minutes.
• Chianti. Speaking of exquisite tastes, another neighbor of Pisa is Chianti, the region whose name is famous in the world of wine. The delicious reds have been a trademark of the area for at least 800 years, and to this day the landscape of the mountain inland area is dominated by bucolic vineyards interspersed with cypress, oak, and chestnut forests. Many travelers use the town of Greve in Chianti, which is a 90 minute drive southeast of Pisa, as a hub for exploring the rest of the region, but some would argue that its smaller villages are even more scenic. 

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Italy is the Fiat Panda, although travelers also tend to pick the Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500 a lot. The most popular car type is an economy, followed by compact and mini.

Further destinations

• Rome. About four hours drive south of Pisa, the Eternal City is an historic, artistic, cultural, and culinary destination like no other. If you ever get overwhelmed by all it has to offer, the beaches just west of the city offer perfect relaxation.
• Southern Italy. Start by exploring edgy and exciting  Naples, and then travel even farther south where regions of Apulia, Basilicata, and Calabria offer tradition, stunning nature, and endless hospitality.
• Bologna and Venice. Just northeast of Tuscany, these two famous cities offer just as much culture as Pisa and Florence, but have their own unique atmosphere and character. Bologna can be reached in about two hours from Pisa and Venice in about three and a half. 

Car rental prices in Pisa

• Vans - from $91 per day
• Small cars - from $24 per day
• Medium cars - from $26 per day
• Large cars - from $52 per day
• SUVs - from $35 per day
• Station wagons - from $46 per day
• Premium cars - from $106 per day

Money-saving and other tips

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

• Compare rates of different rental car providers

• Book your rental car well in advance

• Know your fuel and mileage requirements

• 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 on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Pisa is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 43% cheaper than the yearly average.