And I’m here to give you my honest answer to the most asked question: Can you visit Tuscany without a car? The answer is: yes! Of course it’s possible. However, there are pros and cons to both ways.

Tuscany by Car

You can travel to Italy with your own car and enjoy the freedom of having your own wheels, or rent a car once you’re there. If you have the option, I will recommend taking your own car. But it’s most likely, you will go with a rental, so here are a few things you should know.

Good luck trying to find a car rental company with more than 3 stars in reviews. Renting a car can be either very cheap and very stressful, or expensive and a little less stressful.

Our first time renting a car in Italy was the cheap-but-stressful kind. We booked through a third party site and used third party insurance. It was super cheap, only paid around 130 euro for a week. But based on that experience, my advice is: if you are renting in Italy and can afford it, get the car and insurance straight from the actual rental company, you will get a much better customer experience and more likely avoid any hidden costs or charges for “damages” to the car.

And yes, it’s true - Italians drive like crazy. If you look around, you can play a fun game of: spot a car without a scratch. Tuscan roads can be very narrow and full of bends, so be prepared.

We found parking in Tuscany relatively cheap, although I would always advise to research your parking spots ahead, look out for the ZTL zones and read the reviews for both private and public parking locations as you might find a lot of comments about damages to people’s cars or break-ins in some locations, sometimes it’s better to park a bit further away but feel more confident that your car will be safe while you explore.

If I haven’t put you off yet, and you are still considering visiting Tuscany by car, here are some tips and advantages of having a car.

Freedom, flexibility and these scenic country roads with unforgettable views. While you can reach most popular places in Tuscany by train or bus, there are a few gems that are much harder to access without a car. If you have a car in Tuscany, you can experience one of the most scenic drives in the region - Chiantigiana (SR222), the road connecting Siena and Florence.

Owning a car gives you the freedom to stop whenever you want (when it’s safe to do so!) and believe me, there will be many places where you will want to do so. Places like San Gimignano, Pienza, Val d’Orcia, Bagni di San Filippo, or Montepulciano although technically accessible by public transport (buses) can take hours to get to, while most of those spots you can reach in less than a hour by a car from Sienna.

So if you’re planning on visiting central Tuscany, dreaming of country roads and small, cozy towns perched on hilltops, and don’t have much time or patience for Italian buses, I’d recommend getting a car.

But yes - Tuscany by Train is totally doable!

If car isn’t an option, or you just don’t want the stress, you can 100% do Tuscany by train.

Trains in Italy are reliable and efficient (unless there’s a strike). They connect not just the major cities but many smaller towns too. The train is just ideal for exploring northern Tuscany, like Livorno, Pisa, Lucca, Montecatini Terme, Prato, Florence and more.

That is exactly what we did the first time around in Tuscany, stayed in Montecatini Terme for a week (perfectly located between Pisa and Florence), and every day we took the train to a new destination. Most rides didn’t take longer than an hour.

If you do so, I highly recommend downloading and creating an account on the Trenitalia app to buy tickets, check routes and travel times.

If you are considering central Tuscany I would recommend staying near or in Sienna. You can easily reach Florence within 1.5h by train, or take a 35 minute train down to Buonconvento where you can catch a local bus to places like San Quirico d’Orcia, Pienza, and Bagno Vignoni. From Sienna you can also take, which takes a little over an hour, a bus to places like San Gimignano and Arrezo. Just bear in mind, buses in Italy are a different story - when it comes to them, time is more of a suggestion than a rule (in my experience).

Just be prepared for some delays, and always double-check the last return bus time (and always try to take the second last) especially in smaller towns.

Final Thoughts

- Taking a train is probably cheaper than driving. One you factor in car rental, tolls, parking, fuel, and insurance - you might actually save quite a bit by choosing public transport.

- If you are short on time and want to reach smaller towns: go with a car.

- If you are sticking to the bigger, well-connected cities: the train is a great option.

- If you don’t like stress, skip the rental desk (or go with will insurance from the rental company for the peace of mind).

- If you’re after those once-in-a-lifetime views and don’t like to be restricted by timetables, grab the keys and go!

- If you are considering northern Tuscany trains are well connected and the best way to go.

- You can have how many Aperol Spritz you only like if you are car free.

Well, whatever you choose car or train I’m sure your Tuscan trip will be one to remeber! Enjoy every minute of it!

FAQs

Is it better to rent a car in Tuscany or use public transport?

Depends on what you want to see - car = flexibility, train = ease and savings. If you are planning on visiting bigger cities the train is a great option. If you are short on time and dreaming of the Tuscan countryside go with a car.

Can I visit Val d’Orcia without a car?

Yes, but it’s a bit tricky. If you’re staying in Siena, you can take a train down to Bounconvento, then catch a bus to San Quirico d’Orcia. From there it’s about a 5-kilometer walk to Val d’Orcia, or you can rent a bike and ride along the famous Val d’Orcia road.

How bad are ZTL zones in Italy?

They’re really strict. Entering without a permit = automatic fine. Always double-check hotel locations and parking spots. Do you research before driving into a new place. If you’re driving in Tuscany, especially in cities like Florence, Siena, Pisa or Lucca, always chek ZTL maps in advance. GPS apps like Google Maps don’t always warn you about them.

Tip: If you hotel is inside a ZTL, ask them in advance about access, they can often register your license plate so you won’t be fined.