Pick up your vehicle at Galileo Galilei Airport terminal and start your Tuscan journey immediately after landing.
Galileo Galilei Airport sits 5 km south of Pisa centre, with rental desks in the arrivals hall or meet-and-greet locations depending on the company. The terminal layout is straightforward - collect your luggage, clear customs, and head to the rental zone. Most companies operate from desks in the main arrivals area, while some offer meet-and-greet service with a representative holding your name card.
This page focuses on airport pickup after your flight lands at PSA. You will find details about terminal procedures, document checks at the counter, and routes leaving the airport grounds toward Florence, Siena, the coast, and hill towns. If you need a car in Pisa city itself - outside the airport context - that requires a separate search in the booking widget above, selecting Pisa city rather than the airport location.
From the airport exit, the SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno superstrada connects you to the A11 autostrada toward Florence, the A12 toward Lucca and Cinque Terre, or local roads to Pisa centre and Viareggio. Right-hand traffic applies throughout Italy, with speed limits of 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on secondary roads, 110 km/h on main roads, and 130 km/h on autostrade. Tolls are paid by cash or card at toll booths on autostrade sections. For a broader overview of Italy car rental terms and coverage options, visit our main page.
The pickup process begins the moment you step into the arrivals hall. Follow these steps to collect your vehicle and leave the terminal efficiently.
After your flight lands at PSA, collect your luggage and pass through customs. The arrivals hall is compact, with rental desks grouped together or a representative waiting at the exit holding your booking reference.
Check your voucher for the exact location - some companies have desks inside the terminal, others use a meet-and-greet system. Present your voucher, driving licence, and payment card. The representative will confirm your booking details and vehicle category.
The rental company will ask you to sign the rental agreement, listing any pre-existing damage. Walk around the car together, noting scratches or dents in the contract. Keep a copy in the glovebox. The company contact number is printed on your voucher.
Drive out of the airport car park, following signs for SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno or A12. The superstrada is free, while autostrada sections charge tolls. Fuel stations - Eni, IP, Q8, Tamoil - appear every 20-30 km along major routes.
When you search for cars in the widget above, use the "Specify location" field to select Pisa Airport (PSA) explicitly, ensuring results show only airport-based pickup rather than city addresses.
Pisa Airport is the starting point for classic Tuscan itineraries. Below are five routes, with distances, estimated times, and vehicle recommendations for each terrain type.
Distance: 85 km via FI-PI-LI superstrada then A11
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Route: Exit airport onto SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno, continue east to Empoli junction, join A11 toward Florence. ZTL zones apply in Florence historic centre - park outside restricted areas or use hotel permits.
Vehicle: Fiat Panda or Opel Corsa are nimble for narrow city lanes and limited parking.
Distance: 20 km via A12 exit
Time: 20 minutes
Route: Take A12 north from airport, exit at Lucca Est, follow signs to centro storico. Lucca's walls encircle a car-free zone - use car parks outside the bastions.
Vehicle: Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10 fit tight parking spots near the walls.
Distance: 110 km via FI-PI-LI and SS2
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Route: FI-PI-LI east to Empoli, then SS67 or SS2 Cassia south through Chianti hills. Winding roads with sharp bends and elevation changes. ZTL in Siena centre - park at Santa Caterina or Il Campo lots.
Vehicle: Peugeot 2008 or Jeep Renegade handle hill gradients and gravel vineyard access roads.
Distance: 60 km via FI-PI-LI and SP47
Time: 1 hour
Route: FI-PI-LI to Empoli, then SP47 southwest through Val d'Elsa. Narrow hilltop approach with limited passing space. Park in lots below the town walls.
Vehicle: Citroen C3 or Lancia Ypsilon offer compact dimensions for medieval village lanes.
Distance: 80 km north via A12
Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Route: A12 north past Viareggio, exit at Carrodano or Brugnato, then SP566 to Levanto or La Spezia. Villages are largely car-free - park at designated lots in La Spezia or Levanto and use trains or boats.
Vehicle: Fiat 500 or Kia Picanto for coastal parking and hill switchbacks.
Similar airport-based pickup options are available at Rome Airport and Milan Airport, each serving different regions of Italy.
The table below lists example models commonly available for pickup at PSA. Actual availability and specifications appear in the search results above.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| BYD Seal U | Electric SUV | Long-range electric touring, motorway comfort, four passengers with luggage |
| Citroen C3 | Compact hatchback | City parking, fuel economy, hill-town access |
| Fiat Panda | Economy | Tight streets, gravel vineyard roads, budget-conscious travellers |
| Fiat 500 | Mini | Solo or couple, ZTL zones, shortest turning circle |
| Hyundai i10 | Mini | Urban errands, minimal luggage, parallel parking |
| Jeep Renegade | Compact SUV | Gravel tracks to farmhouses, higher seating position, four adults |
| Kia Picanto | Mini | Narrow medieval lanes, single-day trips, two passengers |
| Lancia Ypsilon | Supermini | City comfort, light motorway use, efficient fuel consumption |
| MG HS | Mid-size SUV | Family luggage, longer distances, autostrada cruising |
| Opel Corsa | Compact hatchback | Balance of space and manoeuvrability, mixed terrain |
| Peugeot 2008 | Compact SUV | Hill roads, extra ground clearance, weekend countryside trips |
| Peugeot 208 | Supermini | Blend of city agility and motorway stability |
These models are examples drawn from typical airport inventory. Actual choice depends on booking dates, duration, and fleet turnover. Run a search in the widget to see real-time availability, transmission type, fuel policy, and payment requirements for each car.
Small details make airport rental smoother. Keep these six points in mind before you land and when you bring the car back.
Selected cars at PSA are available without a security deposit hold and without requiring a credit card. These terms vary by vehicle, not by category, so you check each car individually in the search results.
Run a search in the booking widget above. Each result displays payment badges - look for "No Deposit" and "No Credit Card" tags. Click into the car details to confirm the payment method accepted at pickup. Some cars accept debit cards or cash for the balance, others require a credit card. These conditions are set by the local rental company and appear clearly before you confirm the booking.
No deposit means the company will not place a hold on your card at pickup. You still remain responsible for any damage up to the excess amount stated in the agreement. The deposit and the excess are independent parameters - waiving the deposit does not eliminate the excess.
When you book through 4Drive, you pay a booking advance online by card. This secures your reservation. The remaining balance is due at the Pisa Airport counter when you collect the keys. The accepted payment method for that balance - debit card, cash, or credit card - is shown in the search results and printed on your voucher.
If a car requires a credit card and you only have a debit card, consider raising your debit card limit temporarily or choose a different vehicle that explicitly accepts debit or cash. For full details on how the advance and balance work, visit our payment methods page.
Common questions about collecting and returning a car at Galileo Galilei Airport.
Rental desks are located in the arrivals hall at the main terminal. Some companies use a meet-and-greet system - a representative will wait at the exit holding a sign with your name. Your voucher will state the exact pickup method and location. After signing paperwork, you walk to the adjacent car park to collect the vehicle.
Yes, certain cars at PSA accept debit cards or cash for the balance payment at pickup. Look for the "No Credit Card" badge in the search results. Each vehicle lists its accepted payment methods before you book. The requirement depends on the specific car, not the class or category.
Cars marked "No Deposit" do not require a security hold on your card. Other vehicles may have a deposit hold placed by the rental company at pickup, released after you return the car undamaged. The deposit amount and policy are shown in the car details during booking. Remember that no deposit does not mean no excess - you remain liable for damage up to the stated excess limit.
Exit the airport and follow signs for SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno eastbound. Continue on the superstrada to the Empoli junction, then join the A11 autostrada toward Florence. Total distance is 85 km, journey time around 1 hour 15 minutes. Tolls apply on the A11 section. ZTL restrictions operate in Florence city centre - park outside the zone or use a hotel permit.
Bring your printed or digital voucher, a valid driving licence held for at least one year, and the payment card for the balance. An International Driving Permit is recommended if your licence is not in the Roman alphabet. The rental company will also ask you to sign the agreement listing any pre-existing damage.
Yes, but these are paid extras. Select "additional driver" or "child seat" in the booking form, or request them at the rental desk. Fees vary by company. If you plan to take a ferry to Sardinia or Sicily, you must obtain written approval from the rental company before boarding - this is also arranged at pickup.
Search for available cars at Galileo Galilei Airport using the widget at the top of this page. Compare models, check payment terms, and secure your booking with the online advance. Collect your keys in the arrivals hall and drive straight into the Tuscan countryside, Florence, or the coast.