Landing at Pisa airport, you're just a few minutes away from the highlights of Tuscany. With a Goldcar rental car ready on arrival, you can visit the Leaning Tower and the cathedral, then continue on to the coast, the vineyards or the medieval hill towns that make the region so famous. Public transport links the main towns, but it doesn't offer the same freedom as your own car. A rental car allows you to move around on your own schedule, carry your luggage with ease and stop wherever the view takes your fancy.
Goldcar offers UK travelers competitive rates and a modern fleet that is regularly renewed. You can pre-book online to get the best price and add extras you'll actually use, such as sat nav, child seats or an extra driver. Coverage can be upgraded to Full or Mega Relax to reduce the deductible to zero and include 24-hour roadside assistance. For added speed, express office services and the Goldcar app mean less time in queues and more time on the road.
Why rent a car at Pisa airport?
Pisa's international airport, also known as Galileo Galilei, is located on the outskirts of the city. It's easy to get to, and in just a few minutes you can be on the Firenze-Pisa-Livorno road or the SS1 coastal road. For travelers with just a few days to spare, a rental car is a great time-saver. You can visit the Field of Miracles early, then drive on to Lucca or San Gimignano without worrying about timetables. Families find it easier to manage luggage and beach gear, while couples enjoy detours to the small vineyards or trattorie on the coast.
Pisa, Lucca, Volterra and Florence are all within easy driving distance. The Tuscan coast is also close by, with Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia just twenty minutes from the terminal. Siena and the Cinque Terre are ideal for longer day trips. Driving in Tuscany is a pleasure, with scenic roads through rolling countryside and toll freeways when you want speed.
Types of vehicles and options available at Pisa airport
Goldcar's fleet in Pisa caters for every need. Economical hatchbacks are perfect for city parking, while compact and mid-size models combine comfort and price. Station wagons and SUVs are ideal for families wanting more cargo space, and people carriers are available for larger groups. Convertibles are particularly popular in summer for coastal journeys. Automatic gearboxes can be booked in advance, and hybrid or electric cars are available on certain dates, with a growing number of charging points in the region.
It is possible to add a satellite navigation system or smartphone support to avoid restricted traffic zones in city centers. Child seats of various sizes are available to comply with Italian regulations. Portable Wi-Fi and additional driver options can be booked in advance. Mega Relax coverage eliminates financial risk and includes first-rate roadside assistance, which many short-term visitors find reassuring.
Where can you pick up your rental car at Pisa airport?
Once you've left the baggage reclaim area, follow the signs to the car rental center. It's close to the terminal and can be reached by a fast shuttle that runs all day. At the Goldcar counter, present your passport, driving license, booking voucher and a credit card in the name of the main driver. The team will finalize your agreement and direct you to the pick-up area.
Before setting off, check the fuel level, take a look around the car and take a few photos. Adjust the mirrors and controls, and confirm the type of fuel indicated on your contract. To Florence, take the Fi-Pi-Li freeway. For the coast, take the SS224 towards Marina di Pisa. It's easy to return your rental car: follow the directions from the airport and allow extra time in high season.
Explore Pisa and surroundings by car
Start with the city itself. Park outside the historic center and walk to the Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistery in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Cross the Arno for a coffee in Borgo Stretto before setting off again.
Lucca is only half an hour's drive away and is best known for its intact Renaissance ramparts, now transformed into a wide path for hikers and cyclists. Volterra is about an hour and a half away and rewards visitors with Etruscan remains and panoramic views. San Gimignano, with its famous towers, is a similar distance away. Florence is about an hour away by dual carriageway, with easy parking on the outskirts and streetcar links into the center.
The Tuscan coast is also close by. Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia are ideal for families, while Forte dei Marmi to the north offers a chic atmosphere. South of Pisa, the San Rossore park offers dunes, pine forests and quieter beaches. For longer days, the Cinque Terre can be reached by car in around two hours; park in La Spezia and take the train to the villages.
Tips for driving and parking in Pisa
The center of Pisa is a ZTL restricted zone monitored by cameras. Do not enter these streets without prior authorization, as fines are automatic. Use the parking lots on the outskirts of the center and enter on foot. The Via Pietrasantina parking lot, north of the Champ des Miracles, is convenient and spacious. Underground parking is available near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, next to the train station.
Street parking is color-coded. Blue spaces are chargeable, white spaces are generally free but may be reserved for residents, and yellow spaces are reserved. Always read local signs. On freeways, take a ticket on entry and pay on exit by card or cash. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on main roads and up to 130 km/h on freeways, unless otherwise indicated. Seatbelts must be worn, children must be seated in approved seats, and blood alcohol levels are higher than in the UK.
Best time to visit Pisa
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit Pisa, with mild weather, less traffic and good visibility for country walks. The months of March to June and September to October are ideal for combining city tours with stops at vineyards or days on the coast. Summer is synonymous with heat and an increase in visitor numbers, especially in July and August. If you're traveling at this time, book your parking space in advance and plan to visit the Leaning Tower in the morning or evening. Winter is quiet, tourist sites are less crowded and car rental rates are lower.
Mid-June sees the Luminara di San Ranieri, when the city is lit up with candles along the river. Traffic in the center is limited at this time, so plan to park outside and enter on foot.
