Renting a car for Tuscany is almost a requirement. The major cities are a nightmare to drive in so Deb and I won’t. If you want to visit the smaller towns or winerys a car is necessary. There are several companies that rent in Italy. Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sxit. Rent online before you go. Renting when you show up can be twice as expensive. You will need an International Driving Permit. $20 from AAA. Go to their website for details. Be careful of scams. Some websites pretend to provide the same service and look very similar. Car Insurance is REQUIRED and $$$! The insurance is called Collision Damage Wavier (CDW). The basic insurance comes with a deductible of $1000-$2000. You are on the hook for that if damage occurs. A version with $0 deductible will cost considerably more. The car company will not let you have a car until you show proof of insurance or buy it from them. Expect a hard sell on the insurance at the rental counter. Most of the US credit cards do not provide this type of collision coverage in Italy.
Debbie and I will be getting the insurance using the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. This is one of the few cards that do. By using this card to rent the car we will get this benefit automatically. We intend to get a letter from Chase proving we have the CDW and show it at the rental counter when we pick the car up. For this to be in effect we must decline the rental car insurance. Chase will not provide coverage if you try to double dip so to speak. People have tried. It didn’t go well for them. If you get third party insurance you will have to pay for any damages and then get reimbursed from the third party like Chase. Chase has a good reputation in this area. I am sorry if this sounds like a commercial for Chase. Other credit cards may offer the same but very few. Some Travel Insurance companies also provide for this option.
It all boils down to risk, time, and disposable income. Being a safe driver I think we will have an event free trip. If not, being an old retired white guy, I have lots to time to fill out and wait for paper work. Being retired I want to keep my disposable income. Call me/email me and I can bore you with lots of information on this.
The type of car to choose is up to you, but be aware most of the cars are manual transmission. This if fine for Mark or myself but I don’t know about the rest of you. Its been 30 years since I drove a stick so very likely rusty to the point of failure for me. We will pay more and get an automatic. Reserve far in advance in order to make sure you get an automatic. If possible get a diesel. Diesel is much cheaper there than gas. Be aware of what type of fuel (gas or diesel) you put in the car. If unsure ask. The gas stations over there do not have different size nozzles to keep you from making a mistake. It has happened with catastrophic results.
BEWARE of ZTL’s. These are no drive zones. They use cameras and you will get a ticket. Florence has several of these zones. When going to Florence Debbie and I will stop at a shuttle tram in a little town called Scandicci and take it to the city center. See Train/tram page for Tram details. Distance of about 5 miles This shuttle runs every 3-5 minutes. Cost is approx $1 one way. Everything worthwhile in Florence can reached by walking, or taxi. Still avoiding the hassle and potentially a $200 ticket. Speaking of tickets in Italy they use cameras a lot even on some secondary roads to catch speeders. As much as I will dislike it I will observe the speed limits. If someone wants to tailgate me so be it. I know some Italian gestures and gutter language.
The map below is the ZTL zones of Florence. Different colors mean the zones are in effect at different dates and times. Since I am easily confused about time, I will be walking a lot in Florence. Beats getting a ticket
There are additional ZTL’s in Pisa, Lucca, Sienna, and many others. Check before you go. The ZTL sign is
ZTL sign. one of many types. This is the red circle of death. So beware.
The sign can have additional information on it like the days and times the ZTL in in effect. If you drive past one you are caught. It is all automated. A picture is taken and the license plate number compared to the list of permitted vehicles. When the number comes up as not permitted the system automatically sends a ticket to the car owner. If you pass more than one camera it will mean more than one ticket even if it is the same area only 5 minutes apart. If its a rental car it will be deducted from the credit card you used to rent the car. It may take a few months but they will track you down. The rental company also charges a processing fee on top of the ticket. Depending on the city and/or time tickets can be anywhere from $100 to $500 dollars.
I found a great parking spot just inside the Porto Romana gate next to the Boboli Gardens. It is the Parcheggio Oltrarno Calza. See the itinerary Sunday Sept 5 for details on how to safely enter the Gate. Its large about 200 slots cost $25 per day within 15 minute walk of downtown Florence. About a 50 minute drive from the Leahy’s rental. I may use this rather than the tram at Scandici. Sunday trip will tell the tale. The ZTL in not in effect on Sunday but is on the Weekdays and Saturday. You can get to the gate without crossing a ZTL.
The full tank you received when you picked up your rental car will only get you so far. Eventually you will have to fuel up and figure out the petrol pumps. Gas stations can range from tiny one-pump roadside pull-offs to full-scale, monster truck-sized service plazas. They’re pretty basic but have their quirks. Click here for great advice on fulling up.
The little pull-off pumps are generally full service, which is a good thing because there may not be room for you to exit your car with traffic streaming by. You simply drive in, they pump the gas and off you go. Frequently, they will also wash your windows and check your oil at no extra cost. Even larger gas stations with service-specific lanes may offer additional services that you don’t expect, even in the self-service lines. If not and the station is open, you simply fill your tank then pay the attendant.
Did you catch that line, if the station is open? A sign at the curb announces if a station is open Aperto or closed, Chiuso. Some may say Aperto but looked shuttered; that is because many stations offer 24 hour availability, even if an attendant is not present. At these pumps you must pay at a machine before pumping the gas. The machines take cash; some — but not all — take ATMs or credit cards. Frequently, one machine services several pumps so pay attention to which pump number you’ve parked at. Insert the banknote, select the correct pump number and then choose your gas type (unleaded is called senza piombo; diesel is called gasolio). Beware: the machine does not make change!
While driving around here are some words that might by useful to know.
At the Gas Station:
Open Aperto
Closed chiuso
Gasoline benzina
Diesel gasolio
Unleaded senza piombo
Exact change Resto esatto
Cash Only Si Accettano solo contanti
On the Tollway:
Toll Pedaggio
Tollway autostrada
Exit Uscita
Left sinistra
Right destro
Straight dritto