Traveling to other countries will mean that you should also explore those off-the-beaten paths that will give you better flexibility. Everything can be fun if you don’t rely on the schedules of the local buses and if you can get an affordable car rental that will enable you to make stops when needed.
Fortunately, there are a lot of guides available when you want to book a vehicle before you take your flight. Below are some of the basic tips that can help you have a smoother process when you decide to visit European countries like Italy.
What are the Requirements?
Age Limits: The minimum driving age in Italy is 18 years, especially if you’re planning to drive a car or a motorcycle. It’s going to be 21 years and above for those who want to take on cargo vehicles and mini busses, and people as young as 14 years of age are permitted through a small driving license called patentino. However, there are certain requirements that you need to meet before you can book a car rental so ask them about this beforehand.
Booking in Advance: Plan your trip and visit various websites before your trip to Pisa. Prepare your IDs and passports as well as a valid driver’s license to make the entire process more seamless. You can also visit https://www.leiebilguiden.no/italia/pisa/ for the best prices and utilize these aggregate platforms so you can compare the available offers online. Lock in a price that’s not going to change regardless of the demand and secure your booking with legitimate companies that are operating in Pisa.
Insurance: Companies in Italy typically offer Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection coverage because they are required by law. While these are usually included in the rental price, they often come with an excess or a deductible amount that you’re responsible for in case of damage or theft. Consider purchasing additional insurance to reduce or eliminate this excess.
Traffic Rules:Familiarize yourself with Italian traffic rules before driving. Speed limits,which are usually in kilometers per hour, vary depending on the type of road.In urban areas and cities, it’s often 50 km/h (30 mph), on single carriageways,110 km/h (or about 68 mph), and on highways 130 km/h (80 mph).
ZTL Zones: Manycities in Italy have Zona Traffico Limitato to reduce pollution, congestion, traffic,and people in various areas. Check them and make sure that you’re not getting intoone without proper authorization because they can result in hefty fines. Payattention to them, especially in historic centers because they are sometimes consideredpedestrian-friendly areas.
Other Considerations to Know
Parking: Findingparking in Italian cities, especially in historic areas, can be challenging.Look for paid parking garages or lots on the outskirts of city centers and usepublic transportation to get around. Avoid parking illegally, as fines are common,and vehicles can be towed.
Fuel: Findvarious gas stations with the help of GPS or Google Maps. Alternatively, youcan also pull over and ask someone else where the closest gas station isand they can behelpful through hand gestures if you don’t speak the language. They can befound in cities but are closed on Sundays and in the afternoons. They canalso be available on major toll roads but are more expensive.
Navigation:Consider using GPS or a navigation app on your smartphone to help you navigate Italian roads. While major highways are generally well-maintained andsignposted, smaller roads in rural areas may be narrower and less well-marked.See more about GPS on this site here.
Tolls: Italy hasan extensive network of toll roads or Autostrade connecting major cities andregions. Be prepared to pay tolls using either cash or credit/debit cards attoll booths.
Vehicle Size:Consider the size of the vehicle you’re renting, especially if you plan todrive in historic city centers where streets can be narrow and parking spaceslimited. Opting for a smaller car may make navigating urban areas easier.
What Can You Do in Pisa?
Pisa, located in the Tuscany region of Italy, offers several attractions that you can visit with your rental car. Here are some of the more popular ones:
Leaning Tower ofPisa: While the structure known as the Field of Supernatural occurrences was fabricated, the leaningbell tower wasn’t intended to be the highlight of the attraction.However, it caught the consideration of individuals wherever when the towerbegan to incline during its development in the twelfth hundred years. It hassurvived at least four strong earthquakes and the same soft soil that caused itto lean has helped it survive.
Piazza deiCavalieri: Known as the Knights’ Square, it was the political center of medievalPisa and now used as a center of education. There are several churches that onecan visit, and Giorgio Vasari later rebuilt it according to the Renaissancestyle. At the front of the palace of the Knights of St. Stephen is the statueof Cosimo I de Medici which was designed by Pietro Francavilla.
Pisa BotanicalGarden (Orto Botanico di Pisa): Located near the Leaning Tower, this botanicalgarden offers a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle. You canpark your car nearby and take a stroll through the garden’s diverseplant collections.
National Museumof San Matteo (Museo Nazionale di San Matteo): This has housed various sculpturesfrom many Pisan churches to safeguard them from environmental damage and theweather. Authentic statues by Giovanni Pisano can also be found here, and itboasts various collections of manuscripts and books that will take you into acaptivating journey of Tuscany’s artistic heritage.
Palazzo Blu:This cultural center in Pisa hosts temporary exhibitions featuring contemporary art, photography,and more. It’s situated along the river Arno, and there are classic furniturepieces and unique rooms that you can go to.
How to Book a Rental Car in Pisa, Italy?
Booking a rental car in Pisa, Italy,involves several considerations to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.Here’s a step-by-step guide along with important considerations:
Research RentalCompanies: If you want to stay in the countryside or a villa, it’s time to lookfor the best companies that can give you a reasonable price. There’s no publictransportation on these sides, and you can have more opportunities to explorethe rolling hills uninterrupted.
Compare Prices:Use online travel agencies, aggregate platforms, and comparison websites to see the various packages that are being offered by different rental companies. Be sure to factor in anyadditional fees, insurance options, and terms when you’re looking at theiroffers.
Choose the RightVehicle: Consider the size of your travel party, luggage requirements, and thetype of driving you’ll be doing, whether it’s city driving vs. countrysideexploration. Compact vehicles are often more convenient for navigating narrowstreets in Italian cities, so you might want to give them a thought.
Check RentalTerms and Conditions: Carefully read the fine print, including insurancecoverage, fuel policy, mileage restrictions, and any additional fees that mayinclude airport surcharge and one-way rental fees. Make sure you understand theterms before booking, so you can be more ready with the price.
Consider PickupLocation: Conclude whether you need to get your rental vehicle at PisaInternational Air terminal or from a midtown area. Air terminal pickups areconvenient on the off chance that you’re showing up via air, while downtown pickups might be moresuitable assuming you’re now in the city.
ProvideNecessary Documentation: While booking your rental vehicle, you’ll ordinarily require toprovide a substantial driver’s permit, charge card for installment and security deposit,and some other required documentation determined by the rental organization.
Review InsuranceOptions: Most rental organizations offer Crash Harm Waiver (CDW) and TheftProtection, however these may accompany an overabundance. Think about buying additionalinsurance or a waiver to diminish or dispose of the overabundance.
Check forDiscounts and Deals: Search for any limits, advancements, or devotion programsoffered by rental vehicle organizations that can assist you with getting a good deal on your booking.
ConfirmReservation Details: Once you’ve booked your rental car, double-check thereservation details, including pickup location, dates, times, and any specialrequests or preferences you’ve specified.