Florence: Renting a scooter (should you do it?)
Ah, Florence, Renaissance city of artistic treasures, architectural icons, and mouth-watering delicacies. And throngs of tourists. And locals zipping up and down tiny streets on scooters and motorcycles.
If you’re an adventurous traveler, you might consider seeing the city like a local — on a cute little euro-scooter. But should you?
Pros
Renting a scooter in Florence makes sense if you want to take scenic drives through the countryside. If you rent a typical scooter (like a Honda SH 125 cc or the smaller Cagiva Cucciolo 50), you’ll be able to drive along country roads and scoot your way through Chianti country. Sounds romantic, no?
The hilly countryside (and even immediate environs of Florence) are much less strenuously traversed on a scooter than trekked on a bicycle.
Cons
Renting a scooter is not practical if you simply want to speed up your city sightseeing. Sure, the locals zip about town, but they also are trained to avoid the busiest streets and pedestrian zones, and know how to stay alert for tourists and car doors.
Even if you plan to limit your scooting to areas outside of Florence, you will need to exercise caution, as small roads have their share of blind corners, speeding autos, and other scooters. Also, consider that most of central Florence is a pedestrian-only zone, and scooter riding is relegated to the busy side streets.
Legalities
To rent a scooter in Florence, you simply need a passport, valid driver’s license, and the willingness to plunk down your credit card as a deposit. Anyone riding on a scooter must wear a helmet (which is included in rental). Also included in scooter rental are liability insurance and unlimited miles.
Both agencies below require that drivers have previous experience driving a scooter. As Florence by Bike states in the FAQ, “we suggest not to rent a scooter if you are a beginner.”
Note that you will not be allowed to drive on highways and freeways unless you rent a motorcycle. However, small country roads are just waiting for you.
Where to rent
Alinari scooter rental – Via San Zanobi 38/R. Located near the main train station, Alinari has lower prices than its competitor and offers more types and sizes of scooters. Prices range from €30 for a one-day rental of a Cagiva Cucciolo or Honda 50, to €55 for a Honda Bali 100 cc and €55 for a Honda SH 125. The shop also rents bicycles and motorcycles.
Florence by Bike – Rents the same Honda SH 125 for €65, but offers much helpful advice. Additionally, the shop offers a wide variety of bicycle rentals and organizes bike tours, including a Chianti bike ride that it claims is not terrible strenuous. Florence by Bike encourages tourists to opt for bikes over scooters for visiting the city. Daily bikes rentals run from €14 for city bikes to €35 for fancy racing bikes, with many options in between.
Have you ever rented a scooter in Florence? Tell us about your experience!
About the author
You are left behind, Alinari is closed and Florence by bike only rents bicycles. Now the best are two, Florence Station Rental in the center and Melavespo below Fiesole.
Thanks for letting us know.
We found at Florence Station Rental best price for our group , 35 € /day/Vespa , an amazing new model vespa with Tom Tom Gps ,we had gone to Florence By bike , but now they rent only bike, not best solution for drive around hills and Tuscany. Other rentals had asked us 90 € (Melavespo) , 65-70 € (Tuscany rental )…
When I go out of town next month, I’m going to see about renting a bike. As you said, it would be a good thing if you are wanting to look at the scenery. That is something that I am wanting to do so I’ll see about trying that out.
Good prices and above all no surprise when you return with Florence station Rental
Hi
I went to one Big Scooter / bike/ Vespa rental shop in Florence is located in Via 27 aprile 39/r.
The name is Florence Station Rental.
Only 35€ for 1 day Honda SH 125 brand New. Next day € 45 for 1 day for Fiat 500 red brand new!
http://www.florencestationrental.com
We rented a scooter today and rode to Greve in Chianti. It was a beautiful ride. A little hairy when we tried to get back to the rental place in the center of town. There were a lot of one way streets and we had a hard time telling which streets were one way. We might have gone the wrong way a couple of times. But I gotta say, we had a great time!! scooters seem to have the right of way – they pass cars on the left and on the right and in between – a great adventure.
Hi
another bike rental shop in Florence is located in Via dei Cimatori 9R.
http://www.italycruiserbiketours.com/rentcruiserbikes.html
The Cruiser Bike Tour allows you to see a part of the city of FLORENCE that usually you don’t get to see with the walking tours since they only show you a little part the historic centre.