You must have an International Driving Permit To drive in Italy, you must either have an Italian driver's license or one issued by a European Union country. Those who wish to park their car overnight must look to one of the lots on the outside of the city, with the Piazza Michelangelo being one of the closest (however, in recent years the city has reduced free parking options here, so this may no longer be effective now, either. Try an unforgettable eXPerience in the Florentine hills. Italians dont like a big fight in the street, its against their Italian way of life, that is very much family oriented. If you are renting a car in another European country and driving to Italy, you are required to have an international driver's permit, even if it's not required in the country where you rented the car. Florence has fallen out of love with the accommodation-sharing app. The answer is yes ! Hey Italy, how about you post the speed limit with these traps? View more posts. How to Get From Venice to Florence - TripSavvy Upon our car's return we were not given a copy of our check-in card (same paper as above) and when I returned to ask to get a photo they acted like they didn't have it anymore. stay for about 1 hour. PS Love Italy, enjoyed Florence, would happily return to Tuscany, etc etc. Those expensive shoes Angie wanted? I'll spend those thousands of dollars in Turkey or Greece instead. Driving in Florence? In order to rent a car in Italy, drivers are required to have an international driver's license. - 10 Days in Italy: The Perfect Italy Itinerary. More than a dozen times each week, this forum advises tourists not to try to drive in central Florence, for exactly these reasons. In fact, garages can ask for a regular permission of access for their clients by entering the vehicle's license plate number inside the white list. If you have a car you can explore other towns and beaches along the coast. Florence is a city where art and history are the protagonists, known throughout the world for its Duomo which boasts one of the largest domes in the world and the majestic works of Botticelli and Leonardo located in the Uffizi Gallery, this city counts innumerable churches such as Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce and the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Your Trip to Florence: The Complete Guide, 48 Hours in Florence: The Ultimate Itinerary. But the reality is, driving in Italy is significantly safer than driving in the US. From obscene driving laws to poorly marked signs and hundreds, if not thousands, of speed traps, the cards are stacked against you from the moment you place a reservation for your car. If you dont pay, then they will go to the hire company and your card will be charged (+admin fee). Florence to Rome drive - plan a road trip We like to think of the first rule of the road in Florence as "just don't." There are some garages that offer parking in the historical center of . From Poggibonsi, there are frequent buses to San Gimignano, about a 20-minute ride. In most cases, you'll need to show both your U.S. license and your IDP to rent a car in Italy. Your Trip to Florence: The Complete Guide, Franz Marc Frei / LOOK-foto / Getty Images, Book a half-day private wine tour through Viator, Viareggio and the Versilia Coast of Tuscany, Cinque Terre Guided Day Trip from Florence, Book the day trip to Cinque Terre through Viator. One stretch of road may be 70 kph while the next would be 40 kph. I'll start out big and say that the electronic cameras in and around Tuscany (and likely everywhere else in Europe) are nothing but traps to catch the unsuspecting driver going just a bit over the speed limit. As sydneynick rightly points out, it is not a system to fleece tourists. But making a simple no entry zone would be far too easy, especially in Florence. Sometimes there will be signs on the road where the lower speed limit ends, but these are incredibly rare. Getting From Florence to Venice: Italy - The Best Way (2023) - Urban Abroad Much like a construction zone provides a detour, one would think a forbidden zone would have a cleared path for drivers to go on. 3 Days in Florence: The Perfect Florence Itinerary - Road Affair With 370,000 inhabitants in Florence proper and over 1.5 million in the greater area, that would be equivalent to everyone in the region getting a traffic ticket at least once a year, or everyone in the city getting several. Note that even if your rental car company doesn't require that you carry an international driver's permit, the Italian police do. (That didnt bother me too much, as I wasnt there to get anywhere fast.) I can totally appreciate the thoughts of not driving in Europe. Its a magic trick they do. - People park on roundabouts, in the middle of the road, yes, its chaotic, but once you get into the rhythm of it, its fantastic. The poor visitor who is trying to do good? You should know that this is enforced. Your move to Florence can make you a keen biker. Test the power of a Ferrari in Florence in a 16-km road route. On Thursday morning, an unnamed U.S. tourist-identified only as a 34-year-old man from California-was fined 500 (over $540) for driving across the pedestrianized covered bridge . While common issues, this vendor made all the mistakes you would expect a shady car renter to do. If you have itinerary-related questions, please post them there! If Florence or the car agency comes calling on that one, we're ready with full ammunition. Let your Florence move change you ; ). Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the top things to do in Florence Italy and has amazing views of the city. You still have to deal with the speed traps, but your worries on ZTL zones and other parking issues associated with staying in Florence becomes minimized. Using the general rules of thumb for Italian roads doesn't work either as the roads in Tuscany are almost always lower than what is published. The exceptions to these times are during the summer, which is when Florence sees the highest volume of tourists. This means you're apt to see cars, scooters, motorcycles and even bicycles going the wrong way on a one-way street, simply because it is the shortest route to their destination. OMG! Get answers to your questions about Florence, FAQ - ARRIVING in Florence from the Florence, Pisa, and Bologna airports, FAQ - Rental Car return at Florence (Peretola) Airport, FAQ - Using the buses in and around Florence. I'll start out big and say that the electronic cameras in and around Tuscany (and likely everywhere else in Europe) are nothing but traps to catch the unsuspecting driver going just a bit over the speed limit. On the contrary sector F, and sector O which houses the Boboli Gardens The Pitti Palace and the Porta Romana, are located on the left side. Martha Bakerjian is an Italian travel expert who uses her home in northern Tuscany as a base for her in-depth explorations of the country. They have cameras taking pictures of license plates - just like the "Easy Pass" cameras on roads and bridges in and around New York. Id be afraid to just toss the ticket but it doesnt seem like they come chasing you down for them. Once about 6 months after returning from Rome, we got a ticket in the mail! There were so many parts of Tuscany that we would never have seen or experienced without a car. These signs are easy to miss if you're searching for street names or trying to make sense of the directions from your navigation system. Although it may seem difficult, there are parking options you can pay for such as lots and garages, street parking and some small amounts of free parking as well. For garage parking, the cost is around 1.60-3 euro per hour and generally for an entire day it will cost no more than 20 euros. How easy is it to book Uffizi and Accademia by 'phone? Overnight parking will be a bit cheaper and will cost 10-12 euro. If you are driving into Florence, you should have gotten in advance very specific driving directions to your hotel or the nearest parking lot. Save. Driving in Florence - Italy Forum - Tripadvisor Italy's Florence wants to ban Airbnb rentals | Fortune Generally the timing for ZTL areas remains the same but there are some exceptions due to the time of year. And that we can't take lightly. Considering the manager told me the car was good when we returned it after doing a check for gas level and damages, I already had to file one dispute with my credit card to get it removed (or at least a realistic explanation of why it is there). This time, it was the centuries-old Ponte Vecchio, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which spans the narrowest section of the Arno River in the timeless city of Florence. When Italians have a small traffic accident, they DIY their car and motorbikes back in shape. The two tourist-centric destinations, separated by about 258 kilometers (160 miles), are connected by a fast and efficient rail service and the famous autostrada, where it's perfectly acceptable to drive at 130 kilometers (80 miles . Drive a Ferrari in Florence - ITALYXP.COM Cars are great, and sometimes the only way to get around Tuscany. You don't have the flexibility of doing what you want, but you also don't have the fear of hundreds of Euros in fines. You are wound too tight to enjoy yourself outside the USA. If you come from a country like the US or the UK, where youre used to people respecting road signs and keeping their distance, youre likely to suffer when you get here. Stops and things to do on Florence to Milan drive or road trip - Wanderlog It's a pretty town with a large fan-shaped piazza, beautiful cathedral (for a special treat, book a Gate of Heaven tour), pedestrian streets with shops, and the second highest medieval bell tower in Italy (with 505 steps to the top).. 60 km south of Florence, Siena is accessible by either train or bus but the bus stops . So, six responses to date and not one of them appears to have been written by anyone who actually bothered to read my initial post. There's a website pointing out the ZTL's. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 23 June 2023. if we lost. Cynicism and naivete are opposite sides of the same coin. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. @Shanna Perhaps we should have driven in France! Book day tours to head out to see Siena and the other medevial cities or wine tours to go out to the vineyards. There are beautiful churches, good shopping, and several well-preserved towers from where you can get fabulous views of the city by climbing to the top. As many cities other than (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Driving in Italy is not for the faint-hearted, Vespas come from both sides of the car, other cars are so close to you its like theyre trying to get inside your trunk, parking is a nightmare. If the red car in this situation is on the left side, that means you cannot pass. The ticket is only in Italian. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43519351', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car is in the hands of a local or a tourist - I think you read my comment in a weird way. The consensus is that bikes count and drivers are always on the lookout for them. Driving in Florence: Beware 10 years ago Save I know I'm hardly the first person to raise this issue, but I post this as a warning to any tourist thinking of driving a rental car anywhere inside Florence. Parking in Florence, Italy can sometimes leave you a bit frustrated, as the streets are small and there are specific zones that are pedestrian only. drive for about 1.5 hours. and leave at 12:17 pm. You might get pulled over for speeding or some other infraction, or during one of the frequent flag-downs that happen everywhere in Italy carabinieri (who are responsible for policing Italy's roadways) randomly stop cars to check that all documents are in order. One way in, one way out, and easy to read signs. These are marked on the ZTL maps, but not on streets. Val d'Orcia is located even further south, about 2 hours away by car from Florence. As I can't just rant about what is wrong about this setup, I need to provide a solution. Whether or not it was completed properly when I signed it, I'll never know. There is usually an option to turn onto a roundabout right before the entrance, so it is advised to be aware of where the ZTL zonesare, but if you make a mistake there is a chance you can avoid paying the fine by quickly reversing direction in the rotary. Read this post and discover how to access the most central areas of the city without being fined. For visiting Tuscany, we recommend the Florence Airport. Whether you're looking to go on a grand adventure, dine at some of the world's best restaurants, or even go off the beaten path, our articles will help inspire and give practical tips to make your travel dreams a reality. Click on the links for more information about each place. Currently the best train connection from Florence to Nice-Ville leaves Firenze Campo di Marte train station (NOT the normal Firenze S. M. Novella) at 7.54 and arrives in Nice at 14.25, a 6h 31 train journey including changes in Genoa and Ventimiglia. This also includes Sunday morning, after Saturday night, from 12:00-3:00am. @Cacinda Ive read tons of stories about that. One of the most anticipated tours of the year by Beyonc fans finally arrives in Barcelona on June 8, 2023 at the Estadi Olmpic Llus Companys! We don't advise driving around in Florence unless you have to. Don't make the mistake of thinking you can drive into a ZTL zone unnoticed; video surveillance cameras automatically detect and photograph license plates of all vehicles that cross the line. While this may seem short . Renting a Car in Florence Italy - Up-to-date Advice from a Local That machine must be one brilliant cookie - being able to suss out a tourist via machinery. This forum regularly warns tourists of the perils of driving, and of the ZTLs, which you were aware of. If you do not present an international driver's license, you could receive a fine of 100 euros or more. In my own experience, I must say that in the beginning I had no choice but to be on the lookout for bikes, they came from all sides, drove at different, erratic speeds, and were generally a nuisance. The areas around Piazza del Duomo, Via Tornabuoni, Piazza della Signoria and Piazza Pitti are fully pedestrian-only areas, with only taxi traffic allowed during daylight hours. If you're driving into Florence on your own, without directions from your hotel, you need to get to a parking garage or lot and leave your car there for the duration of your visit. Is there order in the chaotic Italian way of driving? After you get your fill of tourists and people selling trinkets at . Tuscany: Driving in Italy - Tripadvisor Those who may not be familiar with every caveat of Italian driving law, but try their very best to abide at every step. Make sure you dont take yourself too seriously and be humble about your mistakes, nobody cares, theyve seen it all. My own Florence move making changes in me! Share your story and amount fined in the comments section below! Click here for a quote! Another important sign is that of two cars next to one another, and one vehicle is red. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43517809', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Florence, for exactly these reasons. There are some garages that offer parking in the historical center of Florence, which is very convenient and a good option if your budget allows. Overnight parking will be a bit cheaper and will cost 10-12 euro. There were a couple frustrating nights where we spent an hour or more just driving around on poorly labeled, one way roads looking for our accommodations. . We had an entirely different experience renting a car and driving right next door in France! The main reason being that the city centre is out of bounds to non-resident drivers, and you get fined if you pass one of the check points without a permit. Outside of this area most of the streets are labeled with white parking spots for residents only. Starting with garage parking, a few places you can pay for parking within Florence in a garage can be found at the Santa Maria Novella railway station, at the Fortezza Fiera, underground parking at Porta al Prato, Piazza Ghiberti near Sant'Ambrogio and Piazza Beccaria to the west, and Porta Romana to the south. But I can only make a claim based on our stay in July 2013 and do not claim to know the current status at any point after. Are there direct connections between Florence and Rome FCO Airport? Most of these winery tours include transportation with pick-up and drop-off at Florence hotels, wine tastings, and lunch. In this one instance I am not publishing this particular road because I do not want the city to find it and install meters like they've done everywhere else (based on what we've read since our stay, it is likely the case). Fast trains take 45 minutes while the less expensive regional trains take over an hour. My camera date and time stamps each pix. The cameras are everywhere, and in most cases in greater frequency than the speed limit signs themselves. Re: Driving in Florence Mar 15, 2023, 7:06 PM Driving in Ireland: What You Need to Know, Driving in Portugal: What You Need to Know. Sofie DelauwGetty Images. The most important issue I saw was that the manager at the garage parked the car illegally on the street after I dropped it off (manager and car pictured above). Children ages 12 and over can ride in the front seat. Understanding the ZTL zones and times can seem tricky at first, but if you print out this information and keep it with you in your rental car, you should have no issues. Who knows, there might be more tickets coming. In Florence, a new sign is also being introduced, which does not have the red circle on it, but has a traffic light system, showing red when access is limited and green when it is not. 2023 World of Discovery Media LLC. 15 June 2023. Well, in my personal opinion, after my move to Florence and years of driving here, the answer is a definite yes. We deliberately chose the phrase drive to Florence because we absolutely recommend against trying to drive in Florence. Venice is an easy trip to plan from Florence, and spending time in both cities will only make you fall in love with Italy even more! Enjoy. Many of the other places weve traveled on this trip so far seem very friendly for drivers. Here are three walking itineraries to take it all in. But youll definitely have major issues if you try and rent a car there again for sure. For all other readers, I dont think you have to worry about John traveling around Italy any time soon- so at least that wouldnt make #7 on this list. I don't know what you read into my post - which is just fine really. If you don't wish to avail yourself of the hotel's garage (usually nearby but rather expensive, on the order of 30-50 per day), there are five vast, underground public garages just outside the ring road that circles the historic center, each of which is open 24 hours and charges a flat 18 daily . If you are stopped by a city police officer and issued a ticket, do not try to pay it on the spotthis could be considered a bribery attempt and subject you to even more fines. To understand how Italians drive, we need to first try to understand Italians. In Florence, ZTL zones are within the historic center and require a permit. The area is best visited by car or on a tour, but you can get to the wine town of Greve by bus from Florence. This one sounds like it could be for driving in a bus lane, rather than for driving in a ZTL. Best to avoid them altogether (see Tip #6). Rest easy with Blacklane's knowing you will have a driver tracking your flight, ready to meet you when you exit baggage claim. In most major cities in Tuscany there is a controlled zone known as the ZTL' in which non-residents are not allowed to drive. I agree completely about the GPS, though. In a general sense, to avoid the ZTL in Florence you must go out to the hills that surround the city and go up, over, and back down if you want to get around. Not sure how that's relevant to anything but thanks for chiming in. One of the most anticipated festivals of the summer will take place between June 23 and July 22, 2023 in the Arnes Nmes! Child car seats are required for children who weigh less than 48.5 lbs (18 kg), regardless of age or height. Additionally, if you are staying at a hotel in the ZTL, you may be able to have them register your license plate to be allowed to park and enter the ZTL zone where your hotel is located.