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Finding a car rental in Pisa is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of brands around Italy with no booking fees. Pick up at Pisa Airport (PSA) for longer opening hours and quick access to the Fi-Pi-Li expressway, or choose a city location if you’re staying near the Leaning Tower. Automatics can book out fast and the center has ZTL zones, so reserve early and plan your route.
| Location | 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Pisa Airport (PSA) | • Large car rental facility • Wide vehicle selection • Extended opening hours • Easy access to major roads |
• Airport surcharge (approximately 16%) • Potentially longer lines during peak hours • Additional fuel cost to reach city center |
| Pisa City | • No airport surcharge • Convenient if already staying in town • Good for renting after city visit |
• Navigating ZTL zones when exiting • Limited operating hours • Potentially more expensive base rates |
Which to Choose?
Transport Options:
On average, car rentals in Pisa cost around €80 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €16 per day.
Compare airport vs city totals. Pisa Airport has a 16–18% surcharge but bigger fleets and longer hours. City pickups skip the surcharge. Add in PisaMover or taxi costs to see which is cheaper for your dates.
Rent only for the days you’ll drive. Pisa’s center is walkable. If you’re sightseeing first, pick up after your stay in town. The airport is just 3 km (2 miles) away if you prefer to return there.
Choose a smaller manual. Compacts are cheaper to rent and fuel, easier to park near the ZTL edges, and manuals are usually 30–50% less than automatics.
Avoid ZTL fines. Use GPS that flags ZTL and bus lanes, stick to main roads, and park outside the walls. For the Leaning Tower, Via Pietrasantina lot is the budget-friendly choice.
Fuel and toll savings. Take full-to-full, refill at the Q8 next to PSA and keep the receipt. Heading to Florence? The Fi-Pi-Li expressway is toll-free.
Check one-way costs. Same-city returns are often cheaper, but some major routes in Italy have low or waived one-way fees. In Pisa, even airport-to-downtown drops can carry a fee, so compare both ways.
Pisa has an extensive Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) in its historic center:
| ZTL Feature | Notes | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Entire area within old city walls on both sides of Arno River Streets around Leaning Tower (all of Piazza dei Miracoli) |
• Active 24/7 in many parts • Divided into zones A, B, C, D and E • Camera enforcement plus automatic fines |
| Key Avoidance Areas | • Street in front of Tower (Via Santa Maria) • Core around Borgo Stretto • Inner streets off Lungarno Mediceo |
• Cameras at entrance points • Fines apply and rental company admin fees may be added • May not know until months later |
| Safe Routes | • Via Bonanno up to point near Tower (not into square) • Lungarno Mediceo along north river (but not inner streets) • Via Aurelia south of river |
• Use GPS plus up-to-date maps highlighting ZTL areas • Proceed on main roads only • Don't attempt to "cut through" center |
| Location | Area | Notes | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Pietrasantina Lot | North-west of walls | • Large lot for visitors • Approximately 700m (2,300 ft) (10 min walk) from Tower • Variable rates apply, check signage. |
Best option for Tower visits |
| ParkaMS | Near Via Cammeo | South of Piazza dei Miracoli | Alternative option |
| Pisa Centrale Car Park | Near train station | Garage space | Good for city center shopping/restaurants |
| Lungarni | Riverbanks beyond ZTL | Street spaces (pay at meter) | Limited availability |
Common Challenges:
Bus lanes marked "Corsia Riservata" - don't drive in these lanes
Bicycles: Many in Pisa (university town) - share the road and check mirrors frequently
Roundabouts: Numerous in residential areas - yield to traffic inside
Traffic Flow: City split by Arno River plus several bridges; none pedestrian-only except new footbridge near station
Rush Hour: Congestion 8-9 AM and 5-7 PM, especially on riverside boulevards (Lungarno)
Book a rental car to visit:
Volterra and San Gimignano – SR68, Colle Val d'Elsa
Cinque Terre – La Spezia or Levanto train connection
Forte dei Marmi and Apuan Alps – Seravezza, Monte Altissimo
Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia – beaches
How do I avoid the ZTL zones in Pisa? You can avoid the ZTL zones by parking outside the historic center. Use parking lots like Via Pietrasantina (for the Leaning Tower) or Pisa Centrale Parking (for the city center) and then explore on foot. Keep an eye out for ZTL signs (a red circle on a white background) and don't follow your GPS through the historic center.
Where is the best place to park for the Leaning Tower? We suggest parking in the Via Pietrasantina parking lot, which is northwest of the walls. It's the most convenient spot for visiting the Tower. From there, it's about a 10-minute walk to Piazza dei Miracoli. The prices change, so make sure you check the signs.
Can I pick up a rental car at Pisa Airport and drop it off in another city? Yes, most rental companies will let you do one-way rentals in Italy. People often rent a car to drive from Pisa to Florence or Pisa to Rome. You might have to pay a one-way fee, but some companies offer free one-way rentals between big cities.
Is it better to rent a car at Pisa Airport or in the city? At Pisa Airport, you'll usually find a bigger selection of cars, longer opening hours and good prices, even with the airport fee. Picking up a car in the city means you won't pay the airport fee, but you might find fewer cars to choose from and shorter opening hours. If you're flying in, renting from the airport is often easier.
How far is Pisa from Florence by car? The drive is about 85 km (53 miles). It takes around 1 hour if you use the Fi-Pi-Li expressway, which is a toll-free road. Traffic can get busy near Florence at peak times.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Pisa? If your driver's license is from a non-EU country like the USA, Canada or Australia, you'll need an International Driving Permit as well as your home license. If you're a visitor from the UK and have a photocard license, you don't need an IDP for Italy.
Is it worth taking a car into Pisa city center? No, because the historic center has many ZTL zones and not much parking. We recommend you park outside the center and then walk or use public transport. The city center is small, so you can easily get around on foot.
What's the best day trip from Pisa by car? You have some great options for day trips. You could drive to Lucca (30 minutes), the Cinque Terre region (park in La Spezia and take the train, 1h15 drive) or the Tuscan countryside to see towns like Volterra and San Gimignano. If you love the beach, you can drive to Viareggio or Forte dei Marmi in just 30-40 minutes.
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