You have booked your holiday to Italy and have rented the cutest cinquecento for the adventure. The trip goes as planned and you cannot wait for your return visit next summer. However, when you arrive back home you end up with a souvenir you did not expect, multiple traffic fines in your mailbox. The fines explain you were in violation of a ZTL zone.
What is a ZTL zone?
ZTL is Zona Traffico Limitato or Limited Traffic Zone. They are clearly marked in cities, most notably Florence, Pisa, Milan, and Rome. These zones limit traffic in the historical centers to visiting cars and during specific daily hours. Individuals who reside within the city centers, taxi drivers, and other services that use vehicles have special permits allowing entry without a fine.
How do you get a fine?
If you do not have a special permit and enter a ZTL zone then you will trigger the cameras within the zones and that with start the process of issuing a citation. If your car is rented then the ticket is issued to the billing address of the credit card used to purchase the rental.
What about GPS?
Most navigation systems will not alert you to ZTL zones but are trying to get you from point A to point B the quickest way possible. This often has the driver cutting through regulated traffic zones to save time. Waze now alerts to ZTL cameras, however, cities can change ZTL boundaries and this will not always be updated in navigation apps.
How do I avoid ZTL zones and fines?
Do not follow others! If you see a car in front of you entering the city do not think that you can as well. This may be a local resident or business owner who has a special permit.
Avoid renting a car in the city center and always ask the rental company about the ZTL boundaries in the area. If you are a hotel guest and you want to drop your luggage off and park your car near the hotel, always alert the hotel that you are driving there and pre-arrange parking in advance. Some hotels offer on-site parking within the ZTL zone while others have parking garages outside of these zones.
How much are ZTL citations?
Most citations are 100 euros or more and can be paid either by credit card or bank transfer. If you end up with more than one of these fines, then it can get very expensive very quickly.
My travel expert advice:
If you are only travelling to cities within Italy like Florence, Rome, Milan, and Venice, take the train. Trains are incredibly user friendly and take the stress out of driving and parking in a foreign country. This way you can grab a taxi from the train station to your accommodation and not have to worry.
Florence
If you are spending time in Florence and want to explore the Tuscan countryside, then consider a private driver for the day or a small group tour. This allows you to relax and enjoy that wine pairing at lunch. If you are staying outside the city centers and want the freedom to explore the countryside and not be on a tight schedule, pre-arrange parking at your accommodations and use google maps to locate parking garages outside the historical walls. Florence is notoriously bad about ZTL fines so If I am planning on visiting the countryside but want the freedom to choose my activities last minute, I book accommodations outside the city center on the same street as a parking garage. This allows me to quickly exit the city without worrying about ZTL fines and be within close proximity of the autostrada.
Rome
Rome is a large city but you will more than likely be staying within the historical center most of the time. Taxis and Ubers are widely available, and a car is completely unnecessary. In fact, a rental car would be a huge burden while paying steep parking fees at hotels and garages. If you are continuing on to the Amalfi Coast this is far easier without a car than with one. You can take a fast train to Naples and either take a shuttle or have a private driver transport you to your seaside accommodation. While you are on the Amalfi coast you will be walking, using taxis, and taking ferries to get around. There are few parking areas and again, your car would become a hindrance.
Milan
The historical center of Milan is easily walkable with good public transportation. Taxis and Ubers are abundant as well as a robust metro system. If you are venturing into the Lake Region or the Ligurian Coast then consider renting your car at the Linate airport, a 20-minute metro ride from the center of Milan with easy access to the autostrada. If you go to Como or Cinque Terre, a rental car is not advisable. Como is quickly reached by train and then ferries will become your main mode of transportation. Cinque Terre is connected by a rail system and cars are strictly regulated.
Pisa
Many people fly into Pisa to explore the Ligurian and Tuscan coasts. Pisa has 4 separate ZTL zones so if you are spending a few days in Pisa, consider renting a car right before you leave to avoid hefty fines. The Pisa airport is ideal because the main train station has most of their car rental offices about 10 minutes away from Pisa centrale causing one to rely on a taxi or walking with luggage to find the rental agency.
If you are unsure how best to get around Italy with the least resistance reach out to myself or a fellow travel expert to give you the best advice to avoid hassles and unnecessary fines.
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