There's no reason NOT to rent a car and drive in Tuscany, it's like driving in rural Virginia. Bicycles would only allow you see a small part of Tuscany. There are many tremendous hills there and we've seen plenty of very experienced bikers walking their bikes up some of them.

Renting a car in Tuscany is almost always "worth it" if you want to explore beyond the major cities of Florence and Siena. While Italy has an excellent high-speed rail network, the trains do not reach the iconic "rolling hills," vineyards, and medieval hilltop towns like San Gimignano, Pienza, or Montepulciano that define the Tuscan experience. Having a car gives you the freedom to stop at a local farmhouse for olive oil, drive the scenic Val d'Orcia at sunset, and follow your own schedule without relying on infrequent regional buses. However, in 2026, there are three major caveats: First, you must be aware of ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) zones in city centers, where driving will result in heavy automated fines. Second, most cars in Italy are still manual transmission, so you'll pay a premium for an automatic. Third, parking in historic villages can be scarce and expensive. If you are a "slow traveler" who wants to see the authentic, rural side of Italy, the flexibility of a car is essential and far outweighs the logistical minor headaches of driving in Europe.