Pisa is a city in Italy, and is best known for its iconic leaning tower landmark– but the city is so much more than the host of this landmark, as it features many historic buildings, museums and churches that are equally as worthy of filling up your camera roll. Pisa is also known for its no traffic zone city centre, which makes it one of the hardest places in Italy to drive in. Despite its inaccessible-by-car city centre, there are several car hire companies that offer rental cars from both downtown and Pisa Airport, which you can book through Holiday Cars.
Holiday Cars offers safe, reliable and secure vehicles for your driving experience around Pisa. We are many people’s go-to for low-cost and reliable car hire in your chosen destination, and we offer vehicles to suit your every need, from luxury cars and minivans to economy cars and SUVs. When you’re on the search for the best car hire in Italy, look no further than Holiday Cars. We also don’t charge any hidden fees or costs, so you can have the assurance that you’ll only pay for what you expect to pay for when booking with us. Don’t hesitate to book your Pisa car hire with us today.
Driving Rules and Regulations in Pisa
As mentioned, driving in Pisa’s city centre is not allowed unless you are exempt from the no traffic rule. You can drive around the city and park outside the walls, and then rely on public transport to take you further into the city. Where driving is allowed, there are certain rules and regulations that you must follow:
- In Italy, you drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. This is the opposite to the UK.
- UK and EU drivers don’t need an IDP (International Driving Permit) to drive in Italy.
- Tuscany has many toll roads near to Pisa. Tolls can be paid electronically, by cash or in some cases the rental company will add the amount to your final rental charge.
- Pisa’s inner city centre is a no traffic zone (ZTL), which means that you cannot drive through it unless you have a valid exemption.
- To drive a car in Italy, you must be aged 18, and to hire a car you usually need to be aged 18-21 or above, but this can vary depending on the rental company. Certain rental companies or types of vehicles may require you to be aged 25 and over to book, and drivers younger than 25 may be required to pay a young driver surcharge.
- Italy’s maximum national speed limit is around 130km (approx. 80mph).
Top Tips for Driving in Pisa
Pisa’s city centre has ZTL zones and is largely a no-traffic zone. Pisa has several park and ride options, or you can park outside the city and take public transport into the centre. It’s a good idea to hire your vehicle from Pisa Airport, where you’ll find a wider range of rental vehicles and cheaper rates on car hire. Driving from the airport means you won’t need to spend any extra money on connecting transport from the airport to the city.
Ensure that when you hire your vehicle, you have the relevant and required documentation to make the process more efficient and streamlined. Required documents can vary between rental companies, but generally include a valid form of ID and licence, a valid form of payment (this is usually a credit card), and any insurance or registration documents where relevant. Driving around Pisa in permissible areas is generally straightforward, with well maintained roads and easy to follow sign postage.
Parking in Pisa: A Guide
There are several areas to park around the outer areas of Pisa, including multi-storey car parks, street parking and landmark parking. Parking rates vary depending on the location of the car park, and can be free on certain days of the week. There are also park and ride facilities, which is useful if you’re unable to find a parking space and want a way of getting into the city. You can simply park your car in a car park outside the city and take a bus or public transport into the city.
Hiring your Car from Pisa Airport
Pisa Airport hosts a wide variation of car hire companies, including some of Europe’s most trusted car rental companies. Hiring a car from an airport location instead of a downtown location can not only be more convenient, but it can also be cheaper. Pisa Airport is around 3 miles from the centre of the city, so the journey is convenient and quick. If you want to skip the queue and avoid a lengthy verification and booking process, consider hiring your car online in advance with Holiday Cars. We offer a wide range of vehicles and partner with the best suppliers at Pisa Airport to ensure the vehicle you want is available as and when you need it.
Car hire from Pisa Airport starts at around £1.50 per day with the cheapest vehicle. The main suppliers available at the airport are Enterprise, National, Sixt, Avis, and more. All of these suppliers are trusted and relied upon across Europe, and offer a premium service.