Europe > Italy > Florence (FLR)
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Florence can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Florence ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Florence ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Florence?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
For many visitors flying into Italy, Pisa is the most practical choice 🚆 thanks to its direct rail link to Florence. Bologna, Milan, and Rome also work extremely well as arrival points and often offer far better flight options.
Once in the city, Florence quickly proves that a car is unnecessary. The historic centre is compact, flat, and one of Europe’s most walkable destinations. Sights such as the Duomo, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, and Palazzo Pitti sit within easy walking distance. Traffic restrictions are strict ⚠️, ZTL fines are common, and parking is expensive. In practice, driving in central Florence creates problems rather than solving them.
🚄 Longer trips by rail from Florence
Florence works exceptionally well as a rail base. High-speed trains reach Bologna in under 40 minutes, opening easy onward travel to Verona and Venice beyond. Rome is around 90 minutes away, while Turin and Naples are both achievable as long but realistic day trips.
Regional trains make Siena an easy excursion, while San Gimignano, famous for its medieval towers 🏰, can be reached using a train-and-bus combination. While this takes more effort than driving, it remains perfectly manageable for travellers who prefer to stay car-free.
🚗 When renting a car becomes useful
While Florence itself strongly favours no car, Tuscany beyond the city is different 🌄. Rolling hills, vineyards 🍇, hill towns, and rural landscapes are far easier to explore by road. Even a one-day rental car allows you to reach places that public transport makes slow or awkward.
For longer stays, a rental car gives access to quieter villages and scenic routes where buses are infrequent or non-existent. Importantly, many travellers choose to rent a car after leaving Florence, rather than bringing one into the city.
🚗 Conclusion: should you rent a car in Florence?
For Florence itself, the answer is no ❌. Walking and trains cover almost everything. However, if rural Tuscany forms part of your itinerary, renting a car for a day or two can add genuine flexibility without undermining Florence’s strengths as a no-car city.
