Landing at Pisa Airport puts you within minutes of Tuscany’s highlights. With a Goldcar rental ready on arrival, you can visit the Leaning Tower and Cathedral, then continue to the coast, the vineyards or the medieval hill towns that make the region so famous. Public transport runs between main cities, but it rarely matches the freedom of having your own car. A hire car gives you the chance to move on your own timetable, carry luggage easily and stop wherever the view tempts you.
Goldcar offers UK travellers competitive rates and a modern fleet that is renewed regularly. You can pre-book online to secure the best price and add extras you will actually use, such as sat nav, child seats or an additional driver. Cover can be upgraded to Full or Mega Relax to reduce excess to zero and include roadside help around the clock. For speed, express desk services and the Goldcar app mean less time queuing and more time on the road.
Why hire a car at Pisa Airport
Pisa International, also known as Galileo Galilei, sits on the edge of the city. That makes collection simple, and within minutes you can be driving along the Firenze–Pisa–Livorno road or the SS1 coast route. For travellers with only a few days, a hire car saves time. You can visit the Field of Miracles early, then head for Lucca or San Gimignano without worrying about timetables. Families find it easier to manage luggage and beach gear, while couples enjoy detours to small vineyards or coastal trattorie.
Pisa, Lucca, Volterra and Florence all sit within easy driving distance. The Tuscan coast is close too, with Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia just twenty minutes from the terminal. Siena and the Cinque Terre work well for longer day trips. Driving in Tuscany is a pleasure, with scenic roads across rolling countryside and toll motorways when you want speed.
Vehicle types and available options at Pisa Airport
Goldcar’s Pisa fleet covers every need. Economy hatchbacks are perfect for city parking, while compact and mid-size models balance comfort and price. Estates and SUVs suit families who want more boot space, and people carriers are available for larger groups. Convertibles are popular in summer for coastal drives. Automatic gearboxes can be booked in advance, and hybrids or electric cars are available on selected dates, with a growing number of charging points across the region.
You can add sat nav or a smartphone mount to help avoid restricted traffic areas in city centres. Child seats in different sizes are available to match Italian rules. Portable Wi-Fi and extra driver options can be booked in advance. The Mega Relax cover removes financial risk and includes premium roadside assistance, which many short-stay visitors find reassuring.
Where to collect your hire car at Pisa Airport
Once you leave baggage reclaim, follow the signs to the Car Rental Centre. It sits close to the terminal and is reached by a quick shuttle bus that runs throughout the day. At the Goldcar desk, present your passport, driving licence, booking voucher and a credit card in the main driver’s name. The team will finalise your agreement and direct you to the pick-up bay.
Before driving away, check the fuel level, walk round the car and take a few photos. Adjust mirrors and controls, and confirm the fuel type noted on your contract. For Florence, take the Fi-Pi-Li dual carriageway. For the coast, head towards Marina di Pisa on the SS224. Returning the car is simple: follow the airport signs for Car Rental Return and allow extra time in high season.
Exploring Pisa and surroundings by car
Begin in the city itself. Park outside the historic core and walk to the Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistery on the Piazza dei Miracoli. Cross the Arno to enjoy a coffee on Borgo Stretto before heading out.
Lucca is only half an hour away and is best known for its intact Renaissance walls, now a broad path for walking and cycling. Volterra takes about an hour and a half and rewards visitors with Etruscan remains and sweeping views. San Gimignano, with its famous towers, lies a similar distance. Florence is around an hour via the dual carriageway, with easy parking on the outskirts and tram links into the centre.
The Tuscan coast is equally close. Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia are good for families, while Forte dei Marmi to the north has a chic atmosphere. South of Pisa, the San Rossore Park offers dunes, pine woods and quieter beaches. For longer days, the Cinque Terre is reachable by car in about two hours; park at La Spezia and take the train into the villages.
Driving and parking tips in Pisa
The centre of Pisa is a ZTL restricted zone monitored by cameras. Do not drive into these streets without prior permission, as fines are automatic. Use car parks on the edge of the centre and walk in. The Via Pietrasantina car park north of the Field of Miracles is convenient and spacious. Underground car parks are available near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele by the station.
Street parking is colour coded. Blue bays require a ticket, white bays are usually free but may be restricted to residents, and yellow bays are reserved. Always read the local sign. On motorways, take a ticket when you enter and pay at the exit with card or cash. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on main roads and up to 130 km/h on motorways unless signs indicate otherwise. Seat belts are compulsory, children must use approved seats, and the drink-drive limit is stricter than in the UK.
Best time to visit Pisa
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit, with mild weather, lighter traffic and good visibility for countryside drives. March to June and September to October are ideal for combining city visits with vineyard stops or coastal days. Summer brings heat and more visitors, especially in July and August. If you travel then, book parking early and plan to visit the Leaning Tower in the morning or evening. Winter is quiet, with fewer crowds at the sights and lower car hire rates.
Mid-June is lively with the Luminara di San Ranieri, when the city glows with candles along the river. Driving into the centre is restricted at this time, so plan to park outside and walk in.
