Anyone flying into the Val di Chiana ends up asking the same question: is it better to rent a car at the airport and drive for a couple of hours, or take the train and pick the car up a few steps from where you are staying? The answer depends on which airport you land at, and this guide works through them one by one, with real driving distances and the practical rental rules of Revirent24.
Our patch of Italy is the area between Chiusi, Città della Pieve, Montepulciano, Chianciano Terme and San Casciano dei Bagni: the crossroads between Tuscany's Val d'Orcia and Umbria's Lake Trasimeno. No airport is right around the corner, but the good news is that Chiusi-Chianciano Terme railway station solves the problem better than any airport desk.
Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station is the real hub
Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station sits on the historic Florence to Rome line and also serves Chianciano Terme. All regional trains passing through stop here, along with some Intercity services: landing in Florence or Rome, you simply board a train and step off in the heart of the area, with no complicated changes. The station is run by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana and has several platforms linked by underpasses and lifts, so travelling with luggage is easy.
Our main office is in Cardete, Città della Pieve, very close to Chiusi station, and the station itself is one of the pick-up points you can select when booking. In practice: you land, take the train, get off at Chiusi and the car is waiting. If you want to know more about moving around without your own vehicle, we covered it in our guide on how to get around Chiusi and its surroundings.
Perugia Airport: by far the closest
Umbria International Airport "San Francesco d'Assisi" (IATA code PEG) is located in Sant'Egidio, in the municipality of Perugia. It is the closest airport to the Val di Chiana: about 65 kilometres by road from Chiusi station.
Buses connect the terminal with Perugia railway station, and there is also a combined train and bus service, Perugia Airlink, run jointly by Trenitalia and Busitalia, linking the stations of Perugia and Assisi with the airport. From Perugia you carry on to Chiusi by train, usually changing along the Terontola-Cortona route: always check the exact itinerary and the timetables on the carrier's official channels, because they change with each timetable period.
Since Perugia is close by, this is the airport to talk to us about directly: deliveries or pick-ups outside our standard points have to be arranged by phone, so a quick call to +39 378 303 5305 will settle the best option for your flight in a minute. If your trip continues to the Umbrian capital, you will find a full itinerary in our article on car rental to visit Perugia.
Florence Airport: the easiest one if you travel by train
Florence's Amerigo Vespucci Airport (IATA FLR), in Peretola, is linked to the city centre by the tramway: line T2 "Vespucci" runs from the airport stop to the Unità terminus, a short walk from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station. From Santa Maria Novella you take a train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme on the historic line through Arezzo and Terontola-Cortona.
It is the smoothest combination for anyone who would rather not drive straight after a flight: tram, train, car pick-up at the station. Alternatively, Florence to Chiusi station is about 137 kilometres by road, a little over an hour and a half of driving.
Rome Fiumicino: more flights, more driving
Rome Fiumicino Airport "Leonardo da Vinci" (IATA FCO) offers the widest choice of international connections among the airports that serve our area. A rail link runs from the terminal into Rome: from Roma Termini you then head north on the line to Florence, which also stops at Chiusi-Chianciano Terme.
By car, Fiumicino to Chiusi station is roughly 197 kilometres, around two and a half hours. If you land late in the evening or very early, the train is the more restful choice: remember that pick-up can also be arranged outside standard office hours, as long as you let us know in advance.
Rome Ciampino: the low cost shortcut
Rome Ciampino Airport (IATA CIA) is the usual arrival point for low cost flights. The rail connection runs through nearby Ciampino station, reachable with the Ciampino Airlink bus service, from where you continue towards Rome and then north; several coach services also run directly to Roma Termini.
By car, Ciampino to Chiusi station is about 176 kilometres: it is the Rome airport closest to the Val di Chiana, even if it is not the busiest. Shuttle fares and timetables change often, so check the operator's website before you book your rental.
Pisa, Bologna and Ancona: when they make sense
They are not the obvious choices, but sometimes the right flight lands there.
- Pisa "Galileo Galilei" (PSA): the airport is connected to Pisa Centrale station by the PisaMover people mover; from Pisa you carry on by train to Florence and then to Chiusi. About 232 kilometres by car.
- Bologna "Guglielmo Marconi" (BLQ): a dedicated people mover runs from the airport to Bologna Centrale station, where the line to Florence is direct. About 226 kilometres by car.
- Ancona "Raffaello Sanzio" (AOI), in Falconara: worth considering if you arrive from the Adriatic side. About 168 kilometres by car, but the route crosses the Apennines and is slower than the distance suggests.
How far each airport really is
The distances below are calculated on the fastest road route to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station, in free flowing traffic. They give you the order of magnitude, not a guaranteed travel time.
| Airport | IATA | Distance from Chiusi | Indicative driving time | Rail connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi | PEG | about 65 km | about 1 h 10 | Buses and Perugia Airlink to Perugia station |
| Florence Amerigo Vespucci | FLR | about 137 km | about 1 h 35 | Tram line T2 to Firenze Santa Maria Novella |
| Ancona Raffaello Sanzio | AOI | about 168 km | about 2 h 30 | Railway station close to the airport |
| Rome Ciampino | CIA | about 176 km | about 1 h 55 | Ciampino Airlink bus to Ciampino station |
| Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci | FCO | about 197 km | about 2 h 30 | Rail link from the terminal into Rome |
| Bologna Guglielmo Marconi | BLQ | about 226 km | about 2 h 25 | People mover to Bologna Centrale |
| Pisa Galileo Galilei | PSA | about 232 km | about 2 h 40 | PisaMover to Pisa Centrale |
Where you collect the car: five points, not one
When you book you can choose between five pick-up and drop-off locations: Chiusi station, Montepulciano, Città della Pieve, San Casciano dei Bagni and Chianciano Terme. For San Casciano dei Bagni a phone call in advance is needed to arrange collection and return of the vehicle.
Pick-up and drop-off are the ones stated in your booking: if you book collection at Chiusi station and return in Montepulciano, the car has to be brought back to Montepulciano, unless agreed otherwise by phone. All the details and contact numbers are on the our offices page.
Your flight is delayed: what happens to the booking
This is the number one worry for anyone renting a car after a flight, and the answer is simple: just let us know and we will move the pick-up time or the station drop-off. A call or a message to +39 378 303 5305 is enough, and phone support is available seven days a week.
The same applies to the return: you can bring the vehicle back even when the office is closed, as long as you call in advance. If you need to extend the rental or come back earlier than planned, a call or an email is all it takes.
Without a credit card: how the deposit works
This is the question we hear most often from travellers arriving from abroad or carrying only a debit card: a credit card is not compulsory. It can be used as a payment method, but it is not a requirement for renting.
If you book without a credit card, a security deposit of 500 euros applies and is released when you return the vehicle; if you rent with a card, no deposit is needed. The cards accepted as a guarantee are VISA and Mastercard, while American Express and Diners are not among those you can use; the rental itself can be paid in cash, by bank transfer or by card. We covered the whole topic in a dedicated guide: car rental without a credit card, how it works.
Documents, minimum age and second driver
To collect the vehicle you need a valid ID document and a driving licence, which must be valid and of the right category for the car you booked. The minimum age for renting is 18 and up to two drivers can be named.
Cover includes third party liability, fire and theft and collision damage; in case of damage the customer pays the excess, which is 500 euros for the collision cover. To arrive at the desk fully prepared, our guide on renting a car: documents, minimum age and requirements gathers everything in one place, while what to check before picking up a rental car explains what to look at during handover.
Mileage, borders and fuel: the practical rules
Three details that make the difference when you plan a trip after landing:
- Mileage: there are no mileage limits, so you can plan your days without watching the odometer.
- Driving abroad: taking the vehicle outside Italy is possible only by adding the foreign travel policy, which has to be requested before departure.
- Fuel: the vehicle is handed over with a full tank and must be returned with a full tank. You do not need to wash it before returning it.
If your stay is a long one, or you come back regularly, it is worth looking at long term rental too. For weddings and ceremonies there is a dedicated selection in the events and weddings section.
What you can reach once you have the keys
This is where the airport question finally answers itself: once you are behind the wheel, you are in the right spot to move between two regions. In a little over an hour you reach Siena, Orvieto, Assisi and Cortona; the Val d'Orcia is right on the doorstep, with its itinerary among the thermal baths.
The available fleet, from city cars to vans, is listed on the car park page: you can book a specific model straight from the website or by calling our staff. In winter, if winter tyres are not fitted, we supply snow chains: the subject is explained in our guide on winter tyres and snow chains with a rental car.
How to book in four steps
- Choose your pick-up point (Chiusi station if you arrive by train) and your drop-off point.
- Set dates and times, leaving some margin on the flight or the rail connection.
- Select the vehicle from the car park and complete the booking: you will receive an email with the summary and a link to amend or cancel the order.
- If your flight changes, let us know: moving the pick-up is straightforward.
For any doubt before you travel there is our frequently asked questions page, or you can reach us through the contact section.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Chiusi and Città della Pieve?
Umbria International Airport "San Francesco d'Assisi" in Perugia (PEG): about 65 kilometres by road from Chiusi station.
Can I collect the car directly at the airport?
Our pick-up points are Chiusi station, Montepulciano, Città della Pieve, San Casciano dei Bagni and Chianciano Terme. Deliveries or collections outside these points have to be arranged by phone on +39 378 303 5305.
How do I get to Chiusi from Florence airport?
Tram line T2 takes you to the Unità terminus, a short walk from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, and from there you take a train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme on the historic Florence to Rome line. Timetables and fares should be checked on the official channels.
My flight is delayed, do I lose the booking?
No. Just let us know and we will move the pick-up time or the station drop-off: phone support is available seven days a week.
Do I need a credit card to rent?
No, it is not compulsory. Without a credit card a security deposit of 500 euros applies and is released on return; with a card no deposit is needed. VISA and Mastercard are accepted, American Express and Diners are not.
Are there any mileage limits?
No, there are no mileage limits. To leave Italy you need to add the foreign travel policy.
Can I return the car when the office is closed?
Yes, you can: simply let us know in advance by calling +39 378 303 5305.
Timetables, fares and airport shuttle, tram or train connections change over time: always check the official channels of the airports and carriers before you travel. As for the rental, we are here: write to info@revirent24.it or call +39 378 303 5305.
