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We research the local rental car companies' offerings to find you the best options for you
  

On Localrent, you can easily find a car for rent in Pisa even just a few days before your trip. We have an extensive fleet of vehicles: you'll find compact city models and crossovers, mid-range and luxury-class cars.

With a rental car, you can explore not only Pisa and its surroundings but also venture to Vinci, Carrara, Livorno, Siena, Prato, and other corners of picturesque Tuscany. The route from Lucca through Volterra to San Gimignano will reveal landscapes you'll remember with delight for years to come.

Benefits of Car Rental Through Localrent

We work exclusively with verified rental companies and have compiled their best offers. You won't need to visit an office or speak with rental managers by phone—the booking process is fully automated.

When renting through Localrent, you receive:

  1. Transparent pricing. During checkout, the website immediately shows the rental cost and selected options. Prices don't change after the deposit is paid.
  2. Flexible deposit system. Through filter settings, you can sort offers by comfortable deposit amounts or find options without any deposit.
  3. Low advance payment. When placing an order, you pay 15–20% of the rental cost. The remaining balance is paid when picking up the vehicle.
  4. Convenient filters. Sort offers by car make and model, transmission or engine type, deposit size, payment method, and insurance types. Filter cars by your preferred options—for example, select models with child seats or the ability to add a second driver to the contract.
  5. Quality support. We assist clients throughout the entire rental period: answering questions and helping resolve disputes with the rental company.

Requirements for Car Rental

Each rental company has individual requirements regarding the driver's age and driving experience. To avoid wasting time browsing unsuitable offers, specify your age and driving experience in the search settings—the site will hide vehicles you're not eligible to rent.

Required documents:

  • Passport
  • Valid driver's license that permits driving in Italy
  • Booking voucher—we send this to your email immediately after the advance payment
  

Basic Traffic Rules in Pisa

Pisa has right-hand traffic, and overtaking is permitted only on the left. You may begin driving only after the driver and passengers have fastened their seatbelts. Children over 3 years old and under 150 cm tall must be transported in restraint systems in the rear seat. Children under 3 can be placed in both rear and front seats in appropriate car seats.

Road signs in Pisa, as throughout Italy, use international symbols and are understandable even without English-language duplicates.

The region has different types of roads:

  • Strada urbana—roads within populated areas. Marked with white signs with black text. Speed limit: up to 50 km/h.
  • Strada extraurbana—highways outside populated areas. Indicated by blue signs with white text. Speed limit: up to 110 km/h on main roads, up to 90 km/h on secondary roads.
  • Autostrade—toll highways. Marked with green signs with white letters and numbers (A1, A36). Speed limit: up to 130 km/h. Payment accepted by cash, bank card, or TELEPASS system.

Using a phone while driving is prohibited, but hands-free systems are permitted. Headlights must be on during nighttime and when visibility drops below 50 meters, such as during rain or fog. Priority at roundabouts goes to those already circulating.

Traffic police in Pisa treat all drivers equally—they don't distinguish between locals and foreigners. Virtually all officers speak English, but if you speak Italian, you'll certainly gain their goodwill.

Gas Stations

The region has sufficient gas stations with excellent fuel quality. You can refuel with gasoline, diesel, or gas. In Pisa itself and along major highways, you'll easily find charging points for electric vehicles.

Plan ahead only if traveling to rural areas. There, gas stations are less frequent and often operate only until 5–6 pm, and charging facilities aren't always available.

Parking in the City

Pisa has both free and paid parking zones. During peak tourist season, finding free spots during the day is challenging. However, nearly all commercial parking areas allow free parking at night and on Sundays. Free parking hours at commercial lots vary by municipality, so always check the signs.

Parking types are easily distinguished by marking colors:

  • White—free
  • Blue—paid
  • Yellow—reserved for special vehicles, disabled persons, and Pisa residents

You can pay for commercial parking through parking meters, SMS, or the ApPisaMobilità app. Parking costs are indicated on signs or the parking meter itself.

How to Book a Car in Pisa

We've made the booking process as simple and user-friendly as possible. The filter system saves time by eliminating unsuitable offers.

To rent a car in Pisa, follow these steps:

  1. Enter rental dates and select pickup and return cities
  2. Set your important parameters in the filters: vehicle year and make, drivetrain type, transmission, engine type, and add driver age and experience information
  3. Review available options. Open the card of your preferred vehicle, verify rental conditions and available add-ons: booster seat, additional insurance, free cancellation, or other options
  4. Click "Continue." Specify exact pickup time and location, fill in driver information
  5. Choose a convenient payment method and submit the advance payment

Popular Destinations

Tourists plan their Pisa visits for the main attractions: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, the Baptistery of St. John, and the Campo Santo cemetery. But the surrounding area offers much to see as well.

Here are the most interesting locations:

  1. Lucca. Perhaps the only city in Tuscany with fully preserved medieval city walls. Tunnels, towers, and churches on every square. Most popular locations include Guinigi Tower with oak trees at the top and the Basilica of San Michele in Foro. The city has very narrow roads and parking zones, so rent a compact car.
  2. Carrara. A city of marble squares and sculptures. Michelangelo used Carrara stone for his works. Visit Carrara Cathedral, San Giovanni Church, the Academy of Fine Arts in the medieval castle, and the park in the Apuan Alps with scenic views of marble quarries. To visit the quarries, drive to Fantiscritti along the paved road.
  3. Volterra. An ancient Etruscan city with ruins of a Roman theater and defensive structures. In Piazza dei Priori stands one of Tuscany's oldest buildings—the town hall (Palazzo dei Priori). Walk through the historic center to see the Medici Fortress, Museum of Etruscan Civilization, and Volterra's cathedral and baptistery.
  4. San Gimignano. A historic town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb the Torre Grossa observation tower or stroll the narrow streets with cozy trattorias and family-run shops. Be sure to buy cheese and the famous white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Arrive before 7 am—otherwise you risk spending considerable time searching for parking.
  5. Cinque Terre. Five colorful villages perched on seaside cliffs—a must-see in Italy. The nearby national park features scenic hiking trails. Go hiking or take a boat tour for coastal views. Don't miss Ligurian cuisine—pesto and seafood dishes won't disappoint.

Where to Rent a Car in Pisa

Rental company offices are most commonly located near Pisa International Airport. This is highly convenient since most foreign tourists arrive by plane and prefer to pick up their car upon arrival.

Some rental companies offer delivery service within the city: to your hotel or Pisa's central train station. All available pickup locations can be viewed on the main page in the "Specify location" field.

Rental Tips from Travelers

You can't anticipate everything on a trip. But we'll share advice from experienced road travelers to make your vacation as comfortable as possible.

Inspect the vehicle

Conduct a thorough inspection before pickup. Document all defects on the body and interior not only in the contract but also with photos or video. This prevents disputes with the rental company when returning the vehicle.

Choose self-service gas stations

Fuel in Italy is quite expensive. At self-service stations, prices are 15–20% lower.

Watch for ZTL zones

Vehicle traffic in central Pisa is restricted. Some streets allow entry only for local residents or special vehicles. If you see a Zona a Traffico Limitato sign, slow down and study the access rules: entry may be completely prohibited or restricted to certain hours. Follow sign instructions—unauthorized entry results in fines.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rental

What's the most popular car model in Pisa?

Groups of 3–4 people most often rent small city cars in Pisa: a compact Hyundai i30 or Fiat 500 is easier to park near attractions. For larger groups or longer trips, choose a crossover like the Mazda CX-60 or MG EHS PHEV.

Which cars have the lowest rates?

Rental costs depend on make, season, and rental duration. You can rent compact or mid-size vehicles affordably—Volkswagen Golf, Lancia Ypsilon, Citroen C3.

What's the minimum age to rent a car in Pisa?

There are no fixed requirements—it depends on the rental company. Enter your age and driving experience in the filter settings to see offers that match your qualifications.

If I want to cancel my rental, will I get my deposit back?

Most rental companies fully refund the deposit if you cancel at least 24 hours before the rental start date. However, check the cancellation terms in the specific vehicle's listing.


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