Renting a car in Tuscany

To make the most of Tuscany, we highly recommend hiring a car, in fact for most Tuscany villa rentals it’s essential. Public transport is rarely accessible from villas, so having your own car ensures you can reach them easily and enjoy complete freedom during your stay.

A car will let you explore the region’s beautiful hilltop towns, travel along tiny scenic roads with breathtaking views, and experience Tuscany at your own pace. There are plenty of rental options at all major airports, and below we’ve shared our top tips to help you find the right car for your trip.

Fuel policy

We recommend opting for a ‘full to full’ fuel policy. Most rental services offer this. Avoid full to empty or pre-paid fuel policies, or you’ll be paying expensive rates for your tank of fuel and will be unlikely to get a refund for any unused fuel. Just make sure you return the car with a full tank (normally there is a petrol station not far from the airport) or you’ll have to pay for missing fuel, plus an administration charge.

Child seats 

If you need to rent a car seat, it can be an expensive option costing upwards of 10 EUR per day, per seat. Many airlines allow you to bring your own at no cost but do check with the airline. If you decide to bring your own, it may be worth investing in a car seat carry bag to help protect your car seat in transit. Not only can you save on the cost of renting a car seat, but you can be confident that your child will travel in the comfort and safety of the seat they use at home.

Return the car clean 

You’re not expected to return the car freshly valeted, however, if it gets excessively dirty (inside or outside), you should get it cleaned to avoid a cleaning fee which will likely be far more than the cost of a car wash.

Excess Insurance 

Check the excess insurance (deposit) and make sure you know how much you’re paying. It can vary from car to car and from supplier to supplier. Expect to pay a refundable deposit between 800-1200 EUR. There are four options available with regards to paying excess.
- Reduce excess to zero when you use the rental agent's own policy (around 20 EUR per day which can be added at pick up).

- Protect your excess with a standalone policy
- Use a chosen broker (around 5-10 EUR per day)
- Protect your excess with an annual excess policy for a fraction of the cost. Check out www.carhireexcess.co.uk for more information.

Credit card 

Most rental agents require a credit card for security at pick-up. However, some agents will accept a debit card if you take their optional insurance. Check the terms and conditions regarding the payment method before you book the car.

Supplier location 

Check if the chosen supplier is on or off the airport site. Off-site suppliers (which are not located within the airport complex) tend to be cheaper but require a transfer/shuttle bus to the depot. On-site suppliers are often much more convenient, though also a little more expensive.

GPS 

When driving in Tuscany it is important to have a good GPS, with internet not always being reliable when driving around the region. Therefore, it is often useful to ensure that your hire car has one. 

If using Google maps, then turn on satellite view to make sure that the roads Google is leading you down are roads, and you aren't venturing off the beaten track. Also, make sure you have a backup if your maps stop working or begins to lead you down the wrong path.

Directions to your villa are provided to all To Tuscany clients. However, you may still wish to use GPS. Be aware that navigation devices always calculate the shortest route, but in Tuscany, this may lead you through small unpaved country roads which may require a 4x4. In this case, it’s best to use the directions provided by To Tuscany.

Supplier ratings 

Check the supplier ratings for your chosen rental car supplier to see how our previous customers rate them. Ratings are based on features such as value for money, queue times, car quality and rental desk staff among others. The lowest price does not always reflect the best value.

Driver's license 

You will need a valid driver's license. Make sure you bring this with you as you will need to present it for pick up. If you have a non-EU country license, you will need to obtain an international driver's license before arriving in Italy.

Remember, a photo ID document is required for car hire in Italy, if you possess a paper driving license you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP).