CAR FROM FLORENCE TO SIENA
 

We will be renting a car from Florence to Siena and we are trying to decide which is a better pickup location: the airport or downtown (about 8 miles from train station). I would like to take the shortest and hassle free route to Siena. Please advise fellow Fodorites. Thanks.

Dahlia, <BR>While your concern is with a hassle free route,consider this. Airport rentals are significantly more expensive than downtown rentals. Rental agencies pay steep fees for their facilities at airports, much less so in town. I'd go for in town personally.

Thanks Wes, I am aware of the surcharge which is just about 10% which in our case is only about $10+. I will still take the shorter/hassle-free route to Siena although it will cost a bit more. Do you think the downtown area location is a better route than the airport location? Thanks

The big question in MY mind is - where will you be before picking up the car? If you're staying in Florence, I'd definitely pick up in town. It's easy to get out of town and be on your way to Siena.

Thanks, Anne. We will be in Florence, staying at the Campo di Fiori.

If you're staying in Florence, then you'd be better off picking up a car in town. You'll be going out of your way to go up to the airport. Get the car in town, and ask how to get onto the SI-FI, which is the Raccordo (a high speed road with no tolls) to Siena.

The streets in Florence with the rental cars, Borgo Ognassanti and a few others, are a few short blocks fron the train station. I've picked up rental cars there many times with reservations from Auto Europe. You need a good map becuase of the one way streets, but leaving town is not tough. Why rush to Siena? San Giminiano is practically on the way and it has the Dorado, a resturant to die for.