The city of Pisa may be most famous for its Leaning Tower, but it’s also a great base for exploring the rest of Tuscany. Hiring a car from Pisa International Airport (PSA) and setting off on Tuscany’s extensive motorway network allows you to visit cities such as Siena and Florence in no time.

_{*Average flight time from London to Pisa}

Fast facts about hiring a car from Pisa International Airport

It’s easy to pick up a cheap rental car from Pisa International Airport (PSA), and the centre of town is only around 10 minutes' drive away. Major rental companies offering car hire in 2018 include Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.

When hiring a car from Pisa International Airport, you’ll need to head to the dedicated car hire terminal. It’s close to the arrivals area, and can be reached in five minutes on foot or via a free shuttle bus. If you’re heading for the city centre, follow the signs for Via dell’Aeroporto. You’ll need to head north: it’s easiest to take the Strada Statale 1 Via Aurelia, but smaller local roads can be quicker, depending on traffic.

If you prefer, you can also pick up a car in the city centre: you’ll find numerous companies offering good deals on rental cars within a few minutes’ walk of Pisa Central Rail Station.

Car rental companies that have a presence at Pisa International Airport include:

• Auto Europa / Sicily by Car (Tel: +39 050 506883)
• Avis (Tel: +39 050 42028)
• Europcar (Tel: +39 050 41081)
• Hertz (Tel: +39 050 43220)
• Liberty Rentals (Tel: +39 050 48088)
• Locauto (Tel: +39 050 24347)
• Winrent (Tel: +39 050 28101)
• Firefly (Tel: +39 338 451 1294)
• Goldcar (Tel: +39 06 4520 9634)
• Sixt (Tel: +39 02 9475 7979)
• Interrent (Tel: +39 337 124 2010)
• Maggiore (Tel: +39 050 42574)

Driving in Pisa city centre

Much of central Pisa is pedestrianised, and only residents with permits can drive in the historic centre. While there are a few car hire brands in the city, it’s best to pick up your rental car at Pisa International Airport, park on the outskirts and get around on foot.

For most visitors, the reason for hiring a car is to explore the Tuscan countryside, as well as for driving further afield to cities such as Florence, Siena and Lucca.

A well-connected motorway system means finding your way between cities is straightforward and simple, but if you’re up for something a bit more scenic, smaller back roads can offer incredibly pretty drives – though be warned that getting to your final destination will take a lot longer. Your car will come in most handy when visiting smaller, more remote hilltop villages, which are much more complicated to visit with public transport.

If you’re planning to drive in central Pisa, make sure you seek advice on where you’re allowed to go, as it isn't always clear from signposts where the limited traffic zone begins and ends. Some tourists have unwittingly entered the restricted area within the city’s medieval walls in the past, facing hefty fines months or even years later.

Pisa is a busy city with narrow roads, so it can be hard to track down a spot on the street, especially in peak times. Instead, opt for one of the many paid or free parking lots outside the walled part of the city; you can then walk or take a bus to see the sights.

One of the most popular options is the free parking lot near the stadium on Via Pietrasantina, which is in easy walking distance of the centre.

Recommended day trips from Pisa

Cinque Terre

Driving time: Between one and two hours

It doesn’t get much more picturesque than Italy’s Cinque Terre, five gorgeous fishing villages that look like they’ve jumped straight off a postcard. Driving there is an experience in itself, with narrow, vertiginous roads, but the views make the nerve-wracking trip worthwhile.

Florence

Driving time: One hour

For art and history lovers, Florence is one of the most important cities in the world. World-class galleries exhibit works by iconic artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, while the streets are packed with medieval and Renaissance landmarks such as the 13th-century Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore and the Palazzo Vecchio.

Siena

Driving time: Two hours

Pay a visit to another beautiful Tuscany city, Siena, with its UNESCO-protected historic centre. Start by visiting Piazza del Campo, one of the biggest medieval squares in the world, then wander to the Gothic Siena Cathedral, in Piazza del Duomo, a three-minute walk away. The cathedral isn’t just impressive for its grand architecture, but also for the artistic treasures hidden within, with works of art by Michelangelo and frescoes by Pinturicchio.