To enjoy Tuscany at your own pace and discover its treasures, renting a car might be your ideal solution. But driving here comes with its own set of challenges and costs which need to be factored in before taking to the roads. Here are some pros and cons associated with renting in Tuscany as well as tips to maximize your experience.
The Pros of Renting a Car in Tuscany
Freedom and flexibility: Renting a car gives you the freedom and flexibility to travel wherever and whenever you want, without depending on public transportation or tour schedules. You can drive along the scenic roads and stop at any place that catches your eye, from the rolling hills of Chianti to the medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano. You can also reach some of the most remote and hidden gems of Tuscany, such as the Val d’Orcia and the Maremma.
Comfort and Convenience: Renting a car offers the ultimate travel convenience, particularly if you’re traveling with luggage or children. When selecting a car, consider your needs, but also be aware that many locations in Tuscany are accessible via narrow and winding roads. For those accustomed to wide and comfortable highways, this transition might pose a challenge—I know it did for me! On the bright side, rental cars come equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, GPS navigation, and music, improving both our comfort and overall experience.
The Cons of Renting a Car in Tuscany
Driving skills and safety: As previously noted, driving in Tuscany can be challenging, particularly if you are unfamiliar with its hilly roads with steep slopes and sharp curves. As well as adhering to traffic rules such as speed limits, parking zones, and ZTL zones which limit access to historic centers of many cities; you also must remain alert of other drivers that might be aggressive or impatient as well as pedestrians, cyclists, or animals that might cross unexpectedly on your journey.
Credit: borghi.toscana.it
Cost and availability: Renting a car in Tuscany can be costly depending on the season, car model, and rental company you use. In addition, gas costs, tolls, and parking fees all add up quickly. Furthermore, any additional charges could arise if you leave it somewhere other than where it was picked up; also be wary if there are extra costs related to damage or fines; most Italian cars use manual transmission (known as stick shift) so finding automatic ones may be harder and cost more.
Tips for Renting a Car in Tuscany
If you decide to rent a car in Tuscany, here are some tips to help you make the most of your experience:
Be proactive and compare prices: To secure the best possible pricing and availability, book your car as early as possible and conduct thorough price and term comparisons between rental companies. Online platforms such as Hertz, Rentalcars.com, or Auto Europe can help you to do just this; I have used Hertz several times and always had a pleasant experience; just be wary that extra insurance paid on these platforms may not be recognized by your rental car company. Before renting a car or using rental companies, be sure to read their cancellation/modification drop-off policies.
Plan Your Itinerary and Parking: To save both time and money when driving through cities or towns that feature ZTL (limited traffic zones) or are congested and chaotic, be sure to plan your itinerary and parking properly by carrying cash since some meters or toll booths might not accept credit cards. Maintain an Up-to-Date Driver’s License and International Driving Permit: In case the rental company or police require it, make sure you carry both an IDP (international driving permit). An IDP can be obtained from your local automobile association or online. In addition, bring along your passport, credit card information, and rental confirmation documents for safety. Renting a car in Tuscany can be an exciting way to explore this area at your own pace and uncover its many treasures, yet it also comes with challenges and costs you should be mindful of before heading out on the road.
Why Travel by Bus in Tuscany?
Traveling by bus in Tuscany has some distinct advantages over other modes of transport: Cost: Buses tend to be significantly cheaper than trains or cars. You can save money on gas, tolls, and parking fees which can become quite pricey in Tuscany. Buses offer you access to places not easily reachable by train or car, or where parking can be difficult to find and very costly (see Siena, Florence, etc.). The best part is that you can enjoy taking in Tuscany’s breathtaking landscape from your window without having to navigate.
How to Travel by Bus in Tuscany
Traveling by bus in Tuscany requires some planning and preparation, as there are some things you need to know and do before and during your journey, such as:
- Choose the right bus company: Several bus companies operate within Tuscany, connecting various destinations with Florence serving as a central hub. The majority of these companies have terminals and stops near the main train station in Florence, known as Santa Maria Novella. To get tickets and details regarding prices and schedules for long-haul buses, commonly referred to as “Pullman,” you can visit the bus offices or refer to the websites listed below.
- Book your tickets in advance: It’s advisable to purchase your tickets in advance whenever possible, as buying directly from the bus driver may incur higher costs, although this isn’t always the case. Ticket prices generally depend on the distance you plan to travel, and the drivers or ticket vendors will guide you to the appropriate ticket based on your destination. Upon boarding the bus, ensure to “stamp” your ticket, marking the date and time of your journey as proof of travel.
- Check the schedules and routes: Check the schedules and routes of the bus companies on their websites or at the bus offices, and choose the most suitable bus service for your needs. Note that most of these sites are in Italian, so look for links that say “orari” for timetables and then the names of the places you’re interested in. Also, note that some bus services might not operate or provide limited service on national holidays or during strikes, so check the calendar and the news before you travel.
- Pack light and smart: Traveling by bus in Tuscany means that you will have to carry your luggage on and off the bus, and sometimes walk to your accommodation or destination. Therefore, it’s better to pack light and smart and bring only the essentials. You should also bring some snacks, water, and entertainment for the journey, as some buses might not have a toilet or a vending machine on board.
Which Bus Company to Choose in Tuscany
At-bus.it is the official website of Autolinee Toscane, a company that manages local public transport throughout the Tuscany region, with various city and intercity lines.
Remember to “validate” your ticket when you get on the bus. You will see a machine once you hop on the bus. Take your ticket and put it through the slot so that it can be stamped with the time and date. The bus inspector may check your ticket to ensure it’s been properly validated.
Credit: ilreporter.it
Credit: At-bu s.it
Other bus companies operate in some specific areas of Tuscany, and that offer transport services, connecting the main cities and tourist locations in the region. Some of these companies are part of the BusItalia group, which is the main operator of regional public transport in Italy. Others are consortia or cooperatives that deal with managing public transport services in certain territorial areas. For more information on the individual companies, you can consult their websites, which you’ll find listed below.
- BusItalia: Formerly known as SITA, it serves as the umbrella group for most regional buses. Additionally, it operates buses to The Mall shopping outlets and the Florence airport.
- ACV Bus: Serving Chianti and Valdarno.
- AMV: Covering Mugello and Valdisieve.
- CAP: Operating in Prato, Mugello, Siena, and Chianti.
- COPIT/BluBus: Serving Pistoia, including Pescia and Collodi.
- CPT Bus: Covering Pisa, including Volterra.
- Red Bus: Operating in Lucca and Versilia.
- Florentia Bus: Manages the bus to the McArthur Glen Shopping Outlets in Barberino and offers bus rentals.
- PiùBus: Covering Empoli, Montespertoli, Fuccechio, Certaldo, Castelfiorentino, Montaione, Vinci, and Cerreto Guidi.
- TiemmTimee: Serving Siena, San Gimignano, Grosseto, and Arezzo, effectively incorporating several regional bus companies in southern Tuscany for a more unified service.
- ATL: Operating in Livorno, including Elba Island.
- Etruria: Covering Arezzo, including parts of Casentino and Val di Chiana, Valtibertina.
Taking the train is another good means of transportation in Tuscany, especially if you are visiting the bigger cities. The train network in Tuscany is quite extensive and efficient from Rome or Milan to Florence, and then from Florence to Pisa, Lucca, Livorno, and Arezzo. Just think that from Rome to Florence a high-speed train only takes two hours! By car or bus, it would take at least 3 hours.
However, trains may be slower to connect to smaller towns. In that case, a bus is your best option.
Italo vs Trenitalia
There are two train operators in Italy: Trenitalia and Italo. Let’s see how they compare and which one you should take.
Italo is a private company that started operating in 2012. It has a modern fleet of trains with four classes of service: Smart, Comfort, Prima, and Club Executive. Italo trains run on selected routes between major cities such as Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, Venice, and Turin. Italo trains have free Wi-Fi, power outlets, reclining seats, entertainment screens, and a cinema coach.
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy. It has a wider network, connecting more cities and regions across Italy. Trenitalia’s high-speed trains are called Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Frecciabianca. Trenitalia trains have four classes of service: Standard, Premium, Business, and Executive. Trenitalia trains have free Wi-Fi, power outlets, reclining seats, entertainment screens, and a restaurant coach.
There isn’t a huge difference in the overall travel experience between Italo and Trenitalia. They travel on the same tracks, and the speed is the same. (Both Italo and Frecciarossa trains have a max speed of 300 km/hour, or 186 mph.) Let’s look at an example. Let’s say you are in Rome and want to go to Florence and arrive mid-morning. You can use Omio to compare schedules and prices.
Screenshot: https://www.omio.com/
As shown in the screenshot above, there is an $8 price difference between the two operators, even though they depart within 10 minutes of each other and have similar travel times (1h 32m for Italo and 1h 36m for Trenitalia).
Be careful when you check the train schedules. You have to enter the names of the towns in Italian, not in English. For example, if you are at Rome’s main train station, in the From field, type Roma Termini. If you want to go to Florence, in the To field, type Firenze, and then choose Santa Maria Novella (also known as Firenze SMN) from the options. If you enter the English names, the system will not recognize them and show you an error message.
By Golf Cart
If you have a disability or difficulty walking, you can enjoy an eco-friendly option with a Golf Cart City Tour. Below are some options:
- Florence Eco Tour by Electric Golf Cart: This tour lets you explore the historic center of Florence and see its main attractions and viewpoints with an audio guide and a tour escort. You can choose between a 1-hour tour or a 1.5-hour tour that includes Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Electric Cart Tour of Florence: This tour takes you around the city’s iconic squares and landmarks with a recorded commentary. You can book a morning or afternoon tour and enjoy the open-air views.
- Florence: Eco-Friendly Golf Cart City Tour: This tour offers you an eco-friendly ride through the ancient streets of Florence with a multilingual audio guide. You can see sights like Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, and Brunelleschi’s Dome.
- Florence: Eco-Friendly Panoramic Tour in Electric Golf Cart: This tour gives you a panoramic view of Florence and its surroundings with an electric golf cart and an audio guide. You can admire the beauty of the city and the countryside from different angles.
- Classic Tour by Electric Golf Cart: This tour covers the highlights of Florence with an electric golf cart and a multilingual MP3 player. You can see the Duomo, the River Arno, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and more.
