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Car Hire at Florence Station - Visiting the Heart of Tuscany

One of the busiest railway stations in Italy, Florence's Santa Maria Novella Train Station is a wonderful example of classic Italian Modernism. Known locally as Firenze SMN (that's the most common name to appear on station timetables), it offers visitors a striking introduction to the city's renowned architectural qualities. First opened to the travelling public in 1848, the station caters for around 60 million passengers annually, many of them tourists who are drawn in their droves to one of Europe's most appealing cities. Named after a nearby church, it is located right in the city centre and a short walk from the Duomo and many other top tourist attractions.

With an abundance of art, history and (of course) architecture, Florence is the quintessential Italian city and a cultural treasure trove for the thousands of tourists who flock there each year. No visit is complete without a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio (one of the world's most iconic bridges) and a tour of Duomo, Florence's magnificent cathedral complex. With Bologna located less than an hour's drive to the north, a car hire from Florence Train Station is by far the best way to explore the city's environs and beyond. Several fashionable beach resorts also lie within easy striking distance of Florence, including Viareggio, Follonica, San Vicenzo and Castiglioncello.

Auto Europe provides high-quality car hire at over 24,000 pick-up and drop-off points in more than 180 popular destinations worldwide. You can book online now by using our state-of-the-art booking engine in a few simple steps. If you need any help with your travel plans, just call our friendly rental specialists on +441233225114 and they will be only too happy to find you the best deal. For added peace of mind, you might also like to see the user ratings and comments posted by some of Auto Europe's previous customers in the city on our Florence car hire reviews page.

Station Information

Named after the 13th-century basilica located close by, Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station (normally abbreviated to just Firenze SMN) is the main station serving the magnificent Italian city of Florence. The station's history dates back to 1848 when the first one opened in the same area, while today's building was constructed in the 1930s in the Modernist style. The station is at the northern end of the Direttissima line that links Florence with the capital, Rome.

Where to pick up my car hire at Florence Train Station

Most of the companies offering car rental at Florence Train Station have their offices a little off-site in the area between the station and the Arno River. However, a couple of the big name suppliers such as Sixt boast a location even closer to the station's main entrance in Piazza della Stazione, which means you'll be able to check in, pick up your vehicle and get started on your trip in a few minutes.

	Alamo at Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station Via Maso Finiguerra 31/r Florence, Italy 50123 +39 055 285456	Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-7pm (Sat & Sun 8.30am-1pm)
	Hertz at Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station Via Borgo Ognissanti 137/r Florence, Italy 50123 +39 055 2398205	Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm (Sat & Sun 8am-1pm)
	Sixt at Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station Piazza della Stazione Florence, Italy 50123 +39 02 9475 7979	Opening Hours: Daily 8am-8pm

Station facilities

Santa Maria Novella is a busy station all-year-round and as such is equipped with a good range of on-site services and facilities to cater for the high numbers of commuters and tourists alike. There are various eateries both inside and outside the station, including a large Macdonalds on the main concourse. Passengers can buy snacks and refreshments in a choice of bars on the concourse and along some of the platforms. Takeaway meals also available, which can then be carried onto the train. VyTa is a popular option for paninis and other light meals in the middle of the main boarding area while several other shops sell bottled drinks and snacks. Please note that currently there are no sit-down restaurants on the station premises, so it is better to eat before arriving if you prefer a more leisurely meal. The station also has several small shops, including Victoria’s Secret (selling cosmetics), Sephora, Feltrinelli (books) and some stores selling accessories. There's also a post office and a chemist for any last-minute medical requirements before boarding. The Trenitalia ticket office (look for the Biglietteria sign) is in the main building and can easily be found on the left when walking from the main entrance towards the concourse. Other facilities include a bank, left-luggage office (look for the 'Deposito Bagagli' sign) and a number of ATMs in various locations around the station.

How to get to and from Florence Train station

Visitors arriving to pick up their car hire at Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station are always happy to discover that it is conveniently situated in the heart of the centre, in a prime location close to the river and most of city's most popular tourist attractions. For instance, it's a 10-minute walk (just 800 metres) from the station to the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral precinct (arguably's the city's top tourist sight) and a little but further (a 15-minute 1.2-kilometres walk) from the station to Florence's world-famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge. There's a taxi rank right outside the station entrance, from where you can get anywhere in the inner city (as well as the airport) in 15-20 minutes. There's also a regular bus service between Florence Airport and the station which normally takes between 20 and 30 minutes depending on the time of day.

Parking tips

When you rent a car at Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station, the first thing to be aware of is the fact that most of the city centre is part of ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone), which means that access is very controlled and therefore the parking options in that area are greatly reduced. Special permits are required to enter the ZTL and you can expect a hefty fine if you enter without one. There are several large car parks located in the areas beyond Florence's historic centre, including the one right underneath Santa Maria Novella Train Station. There's another one near the station to the west of the city centre (western side of the center), while a number of other options close to the main tourist attractions include Fortezza da Basso and Porta al Prato.

Useful links

Florence Tourist Info

Tuscany Tourist Info