chadwick_bearden

A few weeks ago I created a post about driving out of Florence to Tuscany on a day trip. I got a lot of advice not to do that. The main reason was that the driving would be very tricky. I told this to a fellow traveler and they completely disagreed. I'll chalk it up to a difference of opinion. None of that may matter because the car rental place wants the car back by 19:00. This IMO does not leave much time for exploration. I have no problem paying for additional days and keeping the car overnight, however I will have no place to park it when I am back in Florence. I have visions of stopping off on winding roads to take scenic pictures of the landscape. I am a wanderer and am not one for schedules and itineraries. Cost is a factor in this trip otherwise I would use the widely recommended Luca of Hills and Roads. This leads me to two options: A.) I rent a car and have my freedom but I have to bring it back to Florence by 7PM. B.) I use the bus system and set a schedule. If I were to use the bus system, How late do they run in the country? Has anyone rented bikes in any of the towns? Can you share advice on this? I'm inclined to less touristy areas. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

kybourbon

Why would you pick a car rental company that wants their car back by 19:00 unless you selected from somewhere that closes that early?

>>>The main reason was that the driving would be very tricky. I told this to a fellow traveler and they completely disagreed. I'll chalk it up to a difference of opinion. <<<

I don't think it's simply a difference of opinion. I think it's because many on this website are familiar with ZTL in Florence and your fellow traveler is not. All you have to do is Google ZTL and Florence traffic tickets to see why.

A one day rental is often as expensive as a 3 day rental and parking would run 30-40€ a day. I don't think you will encounter the same time restrictions if you pick up/drop off at the airport in Florence.

Not sure why you are staying in Florence if you want less touristy areas. Why not stay in the country and do a day trip to Florence?

Buses do not run late to small towns and often not at all on Sunday.

kybourbon

Even the Florence tourist board tells you to park your car and use public transport to avoid the ZTL.

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/how-...ce/by-car.html

This is further info about ZTL and ZTL maps and ZCS zones.

http://en.comune.fi.it/mobility/driving.html

chadwick_bearden

My friend referred me to Europcar located on Via Borgognissanti. Walking distance from the apartment I am staying in. The cost is about $100 for one day rental. Her experience is starkly different from most of the advice I have received on here. Not to say your advice is any less valid, I am just trying to reconcile the opinions. I am staying in Florence as a base for a few days and cannot be this close to the wine country and not visit.

Flame123

Have you checked Luca's web site for prices? In addition to the more expensive private tours, he know offers small group tours which may be within your budget. Personally I would not be brave enough to take a car in and out of Firenze. But driving the beautiful country roads of Toscana has never been a problem for me personally. It does mean that if you want to really do some wine tours it will not be that conducive to driving afterwards.

neckervd

BTW: Florence is the capital of Tuscany