Updated June 16, 2026
You’ve got Florence on your list of places to visit in Italy and you’re ready to see Michelangelo’s David, eat gelato, and visit Tuscan vineyards.
If so, you’ll want to read through this guide to renting a car in Florence. It includes the best places to rent for YOUR trip and helpful tips and tricks to make the process smooth, stress-free, and even fun!
I live just outside of Florence and have been planning trips here in Italy since 2004. I’ve also worked as a guide and have rented numerous cars in Florence. I regularly assist others in renting cars here and I take time to speak with car rental agencies in the Florence city center and at the Florence airport. I hope you find this information helpful!
Want to know everything about renting a car in Italy? Check out
Complete Guide to Renting a Car in Italy
Renting a Car in Tuscany
Renting a Car in Italy as an American
You may also want to check out my Tuscany-focused site, The Tuscan Mom
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase from the links, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Please see our Disclaimer for more information.
SHOULD YOU RENT A CAR IN FLORENCE?
You probably want to know, “Is it worth renting a car in Florence?”
Quick Answer: NO, if you’ll just be in Florence. YES, if you want to explore outside of the city. YES, if you want to use it to drive to your next destination (that’s not easily accessible by train).
RENTING A CAR FOR THE FLORENCE CITY CENTER
You don’t need a rental car for your time in Florence. It’s not a fun place to drive or park in, and you have to worry about accidentally driving into the ZTL (zona traffico limitato – limited traffic zone) and getting a multa (fine).
It’s best to use public transport or your feet to get around the city while you’re visiting. The historic center is small and public transport can help you when you’re tired. Buses, the tram, and taxis are all available in the center of Florence.
2026 UPDATE: It’s even worse driving in Florence right now because of extensive construction for the new tram line.
RENTING A CAR TO VISIT THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE
If you’re based in Florence but want to do day trips into the Tuscan countryside, you have a couple of options:
- Rent a car.
- Have someone else drive – hire a driver, go on a tour, or go on day trips to places that you can reach by public transport from Florence (Pisa, Lucca, Siena).
Check out the Best Day Trips from Florence
If you have plans to visit Tuscany outside of Florence for more than just a day trip, I highly recommend renting a car.
Many towns (including San Gimignano, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pitigliano, Saturnia, Cortona, Volterra, and beach towns like Forte dei Marmi) are best visited with your own wheels.
Even if you’re planning on visiting a town that’s accessible by public transport (like those I mentioned above – Pisa, Lucca, and Siena), it’s still nice to travel there in your own car.
With a rental car, you will have more flexibility to explore at your leisure, and to stop when and where you want.
RENTING A CAR TO TRAVEL TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION
Another reason to rent a car in Florence is to use it to travel to your next destination.
- Use a Florence rental car to get to your departure airport in another city. Stop to visit towns and landmarks along the way.
- Use a Florence rental car to travel to and explore your next destination in Italy.
- Use a Florence rental car to travel to another place in Italy if you have a lot of luggage and don’t want to lug it on and off trains.
Tip: Remember to check the one-way drop-off fee.
RENTING A CAR IN FLORENCE ITALY – MAIN COMPANIES
- Hertz (FLR & City Center)
- Avis (FLR & City Center)
- Budget (FLR & City Center)
- Thrifty (FLR)
- Alamo (FLR & City Center)
- Europcar (FLR & City Center)
- Dollar (FLR)
- SIXT (FLR & City Center)
- Enterprise (FLR & City Center)
- Sicily by Car (FLR & City Center)
I recommend checking out consolidators like DiscoverCars.com and AutoEurope.com for a round-up of the best deals from the main rental car companies in Florence. I use DiscoverCars.com when I rent a car here in Italy (and abroad).
WHERE TO RENT A CAR IN FLORENCE
The main places you can rent a car in Florence are:
- Florence Peretola (FLR) airport
- the area between the Santa Maria Novella train station and the Arno River
- at the Santa Maria Novella train station
There are a few other places (like near the Bagno a Ripoli suburb, in the Novoli neighborhood), but I recommend renting from the airport or the area between the train station and the river. If you feel okay about doing a little driving in the center, SIXT at the Florence SMN train station and Hertz at the back end of it are good options if you can get a good rate.
My preferred place to rent a car is at the Florence airport (more on that below).
RENTING A CAR IN FLORENCE ITALY – WHEN TO BOOK
Florence is a popular rental car hub – most visitors to the Tuscan countryside rent a car. So, it’s important to book in advance to guarantee you’ll get a car and get one at a good price.
Busy times of the year for car rentals in Florence are April through October. You’ll find the absolute busiest times to be the months of June, July, September, and October. If you need to rent a car in one of these months, reserve your car as soon as possible, especially if you need a larger car (like a 7-seater or a minivan).
RENTING A CAR AT THE FLORENCE AIRPORT
This is the easiest (and often cheapest) Florence car rental location – the Florence airport (aka Florence Peretola or Florence Amerigo Vespucci).
Good To Know: In Italy, airport car rentals are usually a bit higher because of airport taxes. However, I often see cheaper rates at the Florence airport (compared to city center locations).
ADVANTAGES OF RENTING AT THE AIRPORT (VS THE CITY CENTER)
- It’s often less expensive
- If you’re flying out of Florence, it’s easy to return your car and catch your flight
- It’s easier to drive out of the airport area than drive out of Florence city center. Bonus – you’re really close to the Autostrada entrance.
Good To Know: Even if you’re already in the Florence city center, you can hop on the tram for €1.70 and you’ll be at the Florence Peretola (FLR) airport in 15 minutes.
The Florence airport car rental location isn’t part of the airport. From the airport, you’ll need to take a 5-minute shuttle bus to the car rental location.
The Florence airport car rental location is on Via Palagio degli Spini, about 500 meters from the airport.
Good To Know: You can no longer easily walk to the airport’s car rental location (they removed the crosswalk). Luckily, it’s easy to take the quick shuttle from the airport. It takes just 3-5 minutes and drops you off right in front of the main building (where you sign your contract). The shuttle begins at 5:00am and runs through the last flight. It runs every 20 minutes, but will leave more often if the shuttle is full.
There are multiple car rental agencies at the airport location. When you arrive, the bus drops you off in front of this large brown building:
Go inside (there may be a line during busier periods) to sign your contract. After checking you in, your Florence rental car agent will give you the keys to your car, which you’ll be able to find in the large lot adjacent to the building.
Read my detailed guide to Renting a Car at the Florence Airport
RENTING A CAR IN THE FLORENCE CITY CENTER
Your other option is to rent in the city center.
The area between the Santa Maria Novella train station and the Arno River is the car rental hub for the Florence city center, especially on and around Borgo Ognissanti.
ADVANTAGE OF RENTING IN THE CITY CENTER (VS. THE AIRPORT)
- If you’re staying in Florence, you can walk to pick up your rental car.
Let’s take a look at three of the offices and their garages, which account for 9 rental car companies:
- Avis/Budget/Maggiore
- Locauto/National/Enterprise/Alamo
- Sicily by Car/Auto Europa
Avis/Budget/Maggiore
The office for Avis, Budget, and Maggiore is just around the corner from Borgo Ognissanti (here). This is where you’ll check in and sign your contract. You may need to wait awhile. On May 28, 2026, at 11:00am people were waiting about 30 minutes to get to the front of the line in the office.
The garage for these companies is a stone’s throw away (here), next to the Locauto, National, Enterprise, and Alamo office. You may need to wait briefly again.
Heads Up: To get to the garage you’ll need to walk down the walkway with your luggage (see photos below). You’ll also need to walk back up with your luggage when you drop the car off. Depending on the street traffic and crowds, you may be able to keep someone in your group with your luggage up top while you go down to pick up your car (and for drop off, leave someone with the luggage up top before driving down to return the car). Not a huge deal, but it could be tough for those with mobility issues (or families with a lot of luggage).
Good To Know: You don’t need to stress about the ZTL. Follow your GPS/Google Maps to leave the city directly. When returning the car, you will enter the ZTL but just drive straight back to the garage (put the garage address in your GPS/Google Maps and follow it!). The car rentaly company removes you from the fine list. The important thing to note is that you must drive straight back to the garage. You cannot drive to your hotel to drop luggage, stop to get something to eat, etc. If you do, you will not be removed from the fine list.
Biggest Mistake: This office and garage says the most common mistakes made here are not having the International Driving Permit or not having a physical credit card (you can’t use Apple Pay or have a photo of it on your phone).
Locauto/National/Enterprise/Alamo
The office for Locauto, National, Enterprise, and Alamo is next door to the Budget garage (here). This is where you’ll check in and sign your contract. The busiest times are early morning through around noon. The quietest time for pickup is in the afternoon when they open up after lunch (check the website for the most-up-to-date hours).
The garage for these companies is around the corner at the Garage Excelsior (here).
Avoiding the ZTL: When you’re entering the city to return your car at Garage Excelsior, make sure you enter from Via di Santa Lucia (not from the other side, the east).
Biggest Mistakes: The most common mistakes here are not having the IDP, not having physical credit card and drivers license (both in the name of the driver!), and waiting too long to reserve a 7 or 9 seat vehicle. Also, if you haven’t chosen prepaid gas, make sure you fill up before you get back to the garage (there’s a Shell nearby).
Sicily by Car/Auto Europa
The Sicily by Car and AutoEuropa car rental offices are on Borgo Ognissanti (here).
The garage is Garage Prato (here). The staff is very kind and the drive out is easy to manage mentally – it’s a wide road and you’re not in the ZTL!
Avoiding the ZTL: This is a great company to use if you’re nervous about the ZTL because the garage is outside of the ZTL. However, it is a 300 meter (4-minute) walk from the car rental office, which may be a pain if you have a lot of luggage. You can’t send the driver to pick up the car and come back for the other passengers and luggage because the office is in the ZTL. The street in front of the garage is a 2-way street. To avoid driving into the ZTL, just turn left out of the garage.
Biggest Mistakes: The most common mistakes are not filling up the gas tank (if needed as part of the contract) or trying to pick up the car when the office is closed.
Important: When you leave the car rental pick-up, make sure you have the agent confirm the route you should take to exit the city and return (he/she may tell you just to enter the location in your GPS and follow the instructions). It’s important you don’t get lost and end up in the ZTL (and get fined!). This is very important! You may have read a suggested route online (including from me), but it’s important to check with the agent for the most up-to-date route out of the city and back to the car rental garage. Construction and road work can close roads and change routes.
RENTING A CAR AT THE FLORENCE TRAIN STATION
There are a couple of companies that rent in or really close to the Florence SMN train station. I’ve included info on Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty and SIXT below.
ADVANTAGE OF RENTING AT THE FLORENCE TRAIN STATION (VS. THE AIRPORT OR CITY CENTER)
- If you’ve arrived by train (or you’re departing by train), you can pick up (or drop off) your rental car right at the station. Easy!
SIXT
SIXT is located on the eastern side of the station. Just get off your train, then exit the building on the left, and turn left to walk along the station (keeping it on your left). You’ll run into the SIXT office (map). It’s a large office and the staff are helpful.
Once you’ve checked in and signed your contract, you need to walk to the underground parking garage at the station and go to Level -4. This can be a bit confusing, but SIXT has a video that shows you how to get there. And, there’s another video that shows you how to return your car.
Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty
You need to exit the station and walk parallel to it for a bit to get to the office (here, and note that the street view hasn’t been updated at the time of writing). Or, you can take the tram line from the front of the station one stop to west (helpful with a lot of luggage). The tram stop is right in front of the Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty office.
Check in and sign your contract and get your car downstairs in the garage (part of the same building). The lines here can be long (they were midday in May 2026), just like at other well-known car rental companies.
Avoiding the ZTL: To avoid the ZTL fine, you must arrive from Via Fratelli Rossi. Once you start driving down the street Hertz is on (Via Alamanni), make sure you don’t drive past it! It looks strange because you’re on a road with tram lines, but don’t stress – it’s also a road. Just drive slowly and look for the bright yellow Hertz signs on the right.
Tip: It’s a small garage, so if you notice and dings or problems, just ask an employee for assistance and get the issue resolved before leaving. I usually say to take photos and videos but this garage has a ‘no photos or videos’ policy (it’s posted on the wall).
TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN FLORENCE
MAKING YOUR FLORENCE RENTAL CAR RESERVATION
- Check rates with a consolidator like DiscoverCars.com or AutoEurope.com. They usually have the best rates, especially for well-known companies. I have used both but have been using DiscoverCars lately.
- Rent in advance, especially if you’re coming in the busy season, and especially if you need a larger vehicle (like a 7- or 9-seater).
- Rent an automatic transmission if that’s what you drive at home.
- Choose a car that’s large enough to carry your passengers and luggage, but no larger. Italian roads and parking spaces are narrow – you’ll be happy to have a smaller vehicle.
- Avoid reserving a car pickup during morning or evening commute times, if possible.
- Use your phone for navigation. I use Google Maps here. Remember you’ll need data on your phone to use Google Maps. The best options for data are ESIM (easiest), international phone plan, or physical SIM. Rentals often have a navigation system, but it’s not a guarantee.
- Pick the best location for you and your trip. If you have anxiety about driving in Florence, just take the tram to the airport and rent your car there.
- Unfortunately, there aren’t any set days or hours that are the busiest, so I can’t tell you the best time to rent your car to avoid crowds. In the busiest times, it’s not uncommon to wait for an hour (and occasionally longer). Rental office lines in the city center are busiest in the morning, when everyone checks out of their hotel and heads to the car rental office. In the summer, early mornings are busiest because people want to avoid the heat and get an early start. Rental office lines in the city center locations do tend to be shorter after 1:00pm, but keep in mind that the summer heat in Florence is intense, so you may not want to wait in the heat (the offices have A/C but with so many people and doors constantly opening, it’s still hot). The airport car rental office lines totally depend on flights, so it’s tough to give a recommended rental time there (to avoid crowds).
Important: Make sure you rent your car for Florence (Firenze) and not for Florence, South Carolina. It’s a common mistake.
Before you head to Italy, make sure you review Important Italian Road Signs
PICKING UP YOUR RENTAL CAR IN FLORENCE
- Bring all required documents, including your valid driver’s license, your passport, your international driving permit if you need one, and the credit card you used for the reservation (in the driver’s name). Make sure you bring physical cards/documents, not digital copies.
- If you choose to return the car with a full tank (vs. pre-purchasing a fill-up from the car rental company), ask your agent which gas station is closest to your return location.
- Before driving out of the lot or garage, be sure to check your car! Florence is a very busy car rental location, and dings and small dents (inside or outside of the car) can easily be overlooked. In general, Italian rental cars are a little more beat up than I’ve seen in the US.
- If you have a problem or notice damage that’s not listed on your contract, go in and tell your agent! It’s better to say something at pick up than being charged for damage when you drop off the car. If they won’t update the contract, you can also take photos and videos and email them immediately to the car rental office email so at least there’s time-stamped proof.
- Also, this is the time to ask questions about the car:
Do you know how to get the car into reverse?
Does the car use diesel (gasolio) or gas (benzina)?
Do you see where the parking brake is?
Do you understand how to turn on the air-conditioning?
Do you know how to use the GPS?
You may want to read
Can I Rent a Car in Italy with a US Driver’s License
International Driving Permit – Why and How to Get One
Driving in Italy
RETURNING YOUR RENTAL CAR IN FLORENCE
- Fill up your gas tank if you haven’t pre-paid for a full tank. Remember to get a receipt so you can show the agent you’ve just filled up the car.
Florence Airport Returns: If you need to fill up your tank, there’s a gas station about 100 meters before the airport entrance on Viale Giovanni Luder.
City Center Returns: If you need to, fill up where your rental car agency recommended. There are a couple of gas stations near Piazza Taddeo Gaddi, on the opposite side of the river.
IMPORTANT: If you’re returning your car to a city center or train station location, confirm the route you should take with the agent BEFORE you leave with your car. You may be told to follow your GPS/Google Maps, or you may be told to enter from a specific street. This is to avoid entering a ZTL and getting fined. You may also be told to enter the ZTL and that your car license plate will be removed (by the car rental company) from the fine list.
DRIVING IN FLORENCE TIPS
If you do need to drive in Florence, here are some helpful tips:
KNOW THE ZTL ZONE
Before you start driving through the Florentine streets, check out the City of Florence ZTL Map. And, read my Guide to the ZTL in Italy!
KNOW WHAT A ONE-WAY STREET LOOKS LIKE
Florence has quite a few one-way streets. Know the sign for a one-way street, plus other important signs like pedestrian zone, do not enter, and yield.
If you’re renting a car in Florence Italy, get familiar with Important Italian Road Signs
DON’T RELY ON GOOGLE MAPS OR GPS
Unfortunately, Google Maps, Waze, and GPS units aren’t always up-to-date on Italian streets. They may send you onto a one-way street or into a ZTL. Make sure you’re paying attention! Whenever possible, take a peek at your route before you leave, and if you get lost, just pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so.
WATCH WHERE YOU PARK
Many streets and lots require parking permits (usually for residents or city workers).
The signs vary, so read them carefully.
Basic rules:
Blue is pay parking (this is for you).
Yellow is handicap parking or loading/unloading.
White is resident parking (but sometimes free parking for anyone).
Pink is for pregnant women or drivers with infants in the car.
ALTERNATIVES TO RENTING A CAR IN FLORENCE
TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The Florence city center is serviced by buses, the tram, private drivers, and taxis.
If you want to travel in the outer suburbs of Florence, you can take the bus, train, taxi, or tram. You can also use a private driver or go on a sightseeing tour.
If you’re heading to other parts of Italy, your best options are trains (regional and high-speed), long-distance buses (like FlixBus), private drivers, planes, or sightseeing tours.
Less common modes of travel include scooters and bicycles. Both are fun if you have experience but can be dangerous if you don’t. If you’re set on cycling or renting a scooter, it’s best to go with a tour company.
RENT FROM A DIFFERENT CITY
You can also rent a car somewhere else in Tuscany or further away in Italy. Nearby airport locations include Pisa airport (PSA) and Bologna airport (BLQ).
Read more about Renting a Car in Pisa
THINGS TO SEE IN FLORENCE
Rental car or not, you’ll want to check out some of Florence’s main attractions:
- Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David statue)
- The Uffizi Gallery (Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, Caravaggio’s Medusa, and more)
- The Duomo and its Bell Tower and Baptistry
- Bargello National Museum (former prison barracks turned art museum, home to Donatello’s David and his St. George and the Dragon sculptures, the Baptistry competition panels, and more)
- The Ponte Vecchio (Florence’s ‘old bridge,’ home to the city’s gold and jewelry shops)
- Palaces (Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti)
- Gardens (Boboli, Rose, Iris)
Check out the Best Things to Do in Florence + What to Skip
THINGS TO SEE NEAR FLORENCE WITH A RENTAL CAR
There are excellent day trip choices from Florence. You can visit other cities, small Tuscan villages, beaches, mountains, and vineyards.
A few places we love visiting:
- The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Val d’Orcia and its villages (including Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino)
- Beaches on the Tyrrhenian coast
- Tuscan cities (Lucca, Pisa, Siena)
- Chianti (including Castellina, Gaiole, Greve, Panzano and Radda)
Get more ideas in
Best Day Trips from Florence
Things to Do in Tuscany
WHERE TO SLEEP IN FLORENCE
If you’re planning on renting a car while you’re staying in Florence, you’ll want to either stay on the periphery of the city center (so you can avoid driving into the ZTL) OR make you’re your hotel has parking nearby.
Read about
Where to Stay in Florence
Where to Stay in Florence with Kids
Florence Rental Car FAQ
Yes, a foreigner can rent a car in Italy. If you’re an EU resident, you can use your EU driver’s license. If you’re from outside of the EU, you’ll need your home country license along with an international driving permit.
Yes, but the real question is, “do you want to?” Florence streets are busy and narrow, the parking spaces are tight and scarce, and drivers are assertive.
Yes – not as difficult as Rome or Naples, but it’s not particularly enjoyable. The traffic moves quickly, and drivers are assertive and know where they’re going. Driving in the Tuscany countryside is easier and much more pleasant!
A car isn’t very helpful in the Cinque Terre, but you could drive it to La Spezia (the main entrance city to the Cinque Terre) and park it in a lot there while you visit the Cinque Terre. That’s what we do.
Yes, you can rent car seats through your rental agency. You can book them online while you’re making your reservation, or you can call and add it to your reservation. The other option is to bring your car seat with you from home. You can read more about renting a car in Italy with kids in our Guide to Renting a Car in Italy and learn everything you want to know about car seats in our article on Car Seats in Italy.
