Car hire Pisa Airport

Handmaid

Apologies if there are posts I've missed regarding this but I'd be grateful for some help deciding on car hire at Pisa airport.

We are an extended family of six travelling to Tuscany for a week in May. Can't decide (having never been to Tuscany) whether to hire 2 small cars or one people carrier. My concern is whether we would struggle squeezing the larger vehicle down some of the tighter spots (my vision is of lots of narrow windy roads! And scratched paint!) Does anyone have any experience of driving over there?

Also - can anyone suggest a car hire company? There seem to be one or two to avoid but not seen any positive recommendations for Pisa on here.

Finally, would I be better buying insurance excess cover separately and any recommendations there too?

Sorry if there is info already on here - as you can tell - I'm very new to this so, if there is, can someone put a link on here for me?

benjus

The country roads in Tuscany in general are not particularly narrow or winding, but the roads within the old parts of villages, towns and cities can be very narrow. However, you need to be very careful in these areas, as most Tuscan cities and larger towns have ZTLs (Zona a traffico limitato) in the historic areas, which means that only vehicles with permits (e.g. local residents) can enter them. These are enforced by numberplate-reading cameras, and the Italian police do pursue these fines internationally. Make sure you learn what the ZTL signs look like and be prepared!

I used Advantage last year - I've seen some bad reviews of them, but they were absolutely fine with me, and I didn't have to wait very long. Bear in mind that Pisa airport car hire is not right on the airport - it's a short ride in a shuttle bus from the terminal.

I've used carhireexcess.com for excess cover several times. Fortunately I've never had to claim, so I don't know what their claims handling is like.

Obviously_the_best

By people carrier how many people do you mean?

Anyway, Auto Europa (click here) or Locauto (click here) would be my recommendations. Always better to stick with more localised companies IMO, as their reputation seems to matter more. Maggiore also a possibility (click here).

Handmaid

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

benjus - useful tips - looks like we'll be ok with the larger vehicle (& avoid the ZTLs)

OTB - there are 6 of us so probably a Ford Galaxy or similar. Thanks for the links.