Maranello makes Ferrari driving feel real. This Pushstart Ferrari Portofino test drive lets you get behind the wheel in the factory town, with the roof open so you really feel the wind and engine noise. I also like the setup where a professional instructor is on board, so you are not guessing where to accelerate or how hard to push.

The only drawback to plan for is time. If you choose a shorter option, traffic and road conditions can make the experience feel brief, so you may want a longer drive if you want that full sound-and-acceleration feel.

Key Things I’d Watch Before You Go

• Start at the Ferrari Museum entrance. The meeting point is right in front, so the whole experience begins with big Ferraris energy, not a random check-in.
• Instructor sits beside you. You drive under expert supervision, which helps you get more out of the ride without worrying about the details.
• Roof open driving around Maranello. The Portofino is presented as a true open-air experience, with the wind in your hair and that red-car atmosphere.
• Your drive can be recorded. The car has a videocamera, and there are options for photo and video souvenirs (as extras).
• Bring up to two extra passengers. You can add up to 2 people, which is great for couples, birthdays, and small groups.
• Weather can pause the ride. The activity is suspended in snow or iced streets, and good weather matters.

Ferrari Portofino, Right Where It Matters, Maranello Check-In

You start at Pushstart Srl at Via Alfredo Dino Ferrari 41, Maranello, right in front of the Ferrari Museum entrance. That location matters more than you might think. Before you ever move the car, you get that immediate sense that you are in the right place, at the right time, and not just paying for a generic joyride.

This is also built for a smooth arrival. You get a mobile ticket, the tour is offered in English, and confirmation is received at booking. The meeting point is listed as near public transportation, so you are not forced into an all-day car rental just to get to the starting gate.

And because this is a private activity, only your group participates. That usually means fewer awkward waits and less time standing around while other parties cycle through.

What You Do Before You Drive (and Why It’s Worth It)

You are not thrown into the driver’s seat with no guidance. The experience is designed around an instructor being with you for the drive, and that changes the whole feel of the day. Instead of treating this as a “hold on and hope” situation, you get coaching while you are driving.

The tour description also notes that you should wear shoes suitable for driving, and you must have a valid driver license (international if you are not from UE countries). Minimum age is 21. Those rules might sound strict, but they are exactly what helps the experience stay safe and fun.

One more practical tip: plan to arrive with enough time to check in comfortably. Even if you are excited, the best Ferrari memories tend to come from the day running on time, not from rushing at the start.

The Instructor On Board: How the Coaching Changes the Ride

A lot of “drive a Ferrari” experiences promise excitement, but the best versions also help you drive it well. Here, a professional instructor is always on board, sitting with you as you drive.

In the real world, that makes a difference in two ways:

1. You get timing cues. Several guides are described as actively telling you when to push, which turns the drive from random acceleration into something you can actually feel working.
2. You get confidence. People mention guides who are friendly and efficient, which matters because you are controlling a high-power car with a coach beside you.

Names that show up in the feedback include Stefano, Gianluca, and Antonio. The common thread is clear: you are not alone with 600 horsepower energy. You have someone there who knows how to guide your experience.

Roof Open Portofino Driving Around Maranello

The Portofino in this experience is pitched as an open-top, wind-in-your-hair ride. That detail is not just marketing. When the roof is open, the car feels more immediate. You hear more. You feel more. And you are more aware of how the engine sound builds when you accelerate.

The drive also happens in Maranello and its surrounding areas, which is part of why this feels authentic. You are not driving a Ferrari for the novelty photo and then leaving town. You are driving in the place people associate with Ferrari culture.

They describe the car as 600 hp, luxury, elegance, and brand-new factory-born energy. Even if you ignore the poetic language, you can still expect a serious performance car, not a “slow parade” ride.

The Optional Video and Photo Souvenirs (What to Expect)

If you like taking memories home, you will have options. The car is equipped with a videocamera, and there is an extra service that may include a special souvenir video of your entire driving experience. There is also mention of the chance to take a picture before starting the tour, again as an extra.

Important practical point: these souvenirs are not automatically included in the base experience. Souvenir photos and DVD/USB are available to purchase. The “video of your entire driving experience” is clearly labeled as an extra service.

So, if you are budget-minded, decide in advance what you want. If you care most about having something shareable after the trip, consider upgrading to the video. If you only want one keepsake, photos may be enough. Either way, go in knowing you will likely be offered extras at checkout time.

How Long Should You Book: 10 Minutes vs a Longer Feel

The duration is listed as approximately 10 minutes to 2 hours, which is a wide range. That’s why duration choice is one of the biggest decisions you will make.

Short drives can be thrilling, but the feedback around the experience also suggests that a longer drive helps you get a true feel for the car. There is a clear pattern in the sense that the ride is about acceleration, maneuvering, and that sound experience, and those take time to develop.

Also consider one real-world factor: if you end up behind slower traffic, your time can feel chopped up. The company can not control every road situation. Your best defense is choosing a longer slot so you still get the experience you came for.

If this is a milestone birthday or a once-in-a-lifetime moment, I would lean longer if your schedule allows it.

Price and Value: Why $435.54 Might Still Be a Deal (Depending on Duration)

At $435.54 per person, this is not cheap. But it is also not just paying to sit in a Ferrari. You are paying for access to the car, fuel surcharge, local taxes, and the fact that a pro instructor rides with you. The “private activity” element also has value because it keeps the day feeling more tailored to your group.

Here is the value logic I use:

• If you book the shortest option, you are paying a premium for a very short window to enjoy a high-power car.
• If you book longer, the cost per minute drops fast, and you get time for the acceleration moments that make the car feel like a Ferrari, not a slow showroom demo.

Also note what is not included. Transportation to/from the attraction is not included, so you need to be sure you can get to Pushstart and back. Souvenir photos and any DVD/USB are available to purchase. The base experience includes local taxes and fuel surcharge, which helps keep the day from turning into surprise add-ons for the essentials.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Might Skip It)

This fits best if you want one of these things:

• A performance experience, not just a photo stop
• A guided driving moment with a pro instructor on board
• A celebration where you want the car and the location to do most of the heavy lifting

It is also described as something you can enjoy with your wife, girlfriend, kids, or friends, with a maximum of 2 extra passengers available through an extra service. Minimum age is 21, and you need the driver license requirements met, so check that early.

If you are uncomfortable driving in general, this is still a supervised experience, but it is still you in the driver’s seat. The shoes requirement is a clue to take it seriously.

If you are expecting a broad sightseeing tour, note that this is a test drive experience focused on driving in Maranello. The “Ferrari moment” is the core, not a long day of stops and landmarks.

A Note on Weather, Road Conditions, and Scheduling Reality

This experience depends on good weather. It is suspended in case of snow or iced streets, and it is canceled when weather is too poor, with the option of a different date or a full refund in that situation.

You do not need to obsess over the forecast for weeks. Just plan smart. If your schedule is tight, pick a day where you expect fair weather and where you have a buffer. Ferrari driving in bad conditions is not about romance, it is about safety.

Also, it is closed on 25th and 26th of December and 1st of January, so plan around those dates.

Should You Book the Pushstart Ferrari Portofino Test Drive?

Book it if you want a real Ferrari driving experience in its true home town, with an instructor beside you and the Portofino experience designed around open-air fun. The private setup and the fact that your drive can be recorded add extra value if you want memories, not just bragging rights.

Skip or rethink if:

• You only have very short time and you are worried about traffic cutting your drive down.
• You want a low-cost, no-extra-purchases kind of experience, because photos and video souvenirs are offered as extras.

My practical takeaway: treat the duration choice like part of the purchase. If you can, go longer so you get time for the acceleration feel, the maneuvering moments, and the wind-in-your-hair payoff.

If you do book, wear proper driving shoes, bring your driver license details, and pick a weather-friendly day. Then you will walk away with exactly what you came for: a Ferrari memory that feels tied to Maranello, not copied from a brochure.

FAQ

Do I need a driver license to participate?

Yes. You need a valid driver license to drive. The info also notes that an international license may be required if you are not from UE countries, and shoes suitable for driving are recommended.

Is the instructor included during the drive?

Yes. A professional instructor is always on board, sitting beside you as you drive.

Is this activity private?

Yes. It is listed as a private tour or activity, so only your group participates.

Can I bring extra passengers?

You can take up to two extra passengers for an additional service. The maximum extra is 2.

What souvenirs are available?

The car has a videocamera, and there is an extra option for a special video souvenir of your driving experience. Souvenir photos and DVD/USB are also available to purchase.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. It is suspended in case of snow or iced streets, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you are offered a different date or a full refund.