Where And How To Rent A Car In Bologna

Do you want to rent a car in Bologna? That’s not a bad idea, actually!

I have been to Bologna, the capital of Emilia Romagna in Northern Italy, many times (currently planning another trip) and have rented cars there too (in fact, I am going to rent a car for my next trip) and I am ready to share all my tips and hacks to make the process smooth for you.

Car rental in Bologna is easy and if you book your car well in advance it’s also quite convenient. While you are unlikely to need a car in the city itself, it’s definitely necessary to explore Emilia Romagna and you will find it useful if are planning on going on day trips from Bologna.

Bologna is a truly beautiful city with lots of history and plenty of interesting places to visit. From climbing its Asinelli and Prendiparte towers for stunning views to gorging on delicious food, a trip to Bologna is always a lot of fun.

As I have said before, you really don’t need to rent a car in Bologna if you only intend to explore the city. However, I recommend doing that if you want to get out of town, visit the countryside, vineyards, nearby towns and more.

When renting a car in Bologna (and anywhere else I travel) I use Discover Cars. I find this to be the best comparison site for car rental. The powerful search engine looks for local and international companies and finds the best deals for you. Discover Cars also has free cancellation up to 48 hours before you are due to pick up the car, and a very budget-friendly full coverage policy.

Curious to find out more? Continue reading this post then, as I will share what you need to know about car rental in Bologna and add some very useful tips for driving in Bologna.

My post A Useful Guide To Renting A Car In Italy shares even more insights on renting a car in my gorgeous country.

Is Renting A Car In Bologna A Good Idea?

There are many great things to do in Bologna, and it will take you a few days to properly explore the city. More than that, however, I recommend actually taking in the atmosphere of Bologna, which is truly unique. This is such a friendly place, so lively and vibrant.

If you intend to explore the surroundings of the city, having a car will make your life infinitely easier – and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Here are some reasons why you should consider renting a car in Bologna.

There are lots of places to visit near Bologna

As I have said before, Bologna is a popular starting point for road trip adventures into nearby cities and the sprawling Italian countryside.

Not far from Bologna you will find an amusement park – called Mirabilandia – with thrilling rides for all ages. If you are visiting Bologna with children, they will enjoy a day there, and having your own car gives you much more flexibility.

When it comes to visiting the capital of Tuscany, I normally recommend taking the train from Bologna to Florence if you only wish to explore the city. It’s quick (it takes just 40 minutes), easy, budget friendly and you won’t have to worry about having to park the car in Florence.

However, a road trip from Bologna to Florence (which normally takes about one hour and 20 minutes) will give you the chance to appreciate the scenery on the way, stop for photos, and travel without a strict plan and more spontaneously.

Likewise, it’s actually faster to travel from Bologna to Milan by train. But if you have your own car, you can stop along the way to see the lovely Modena, Reggio Emilia, Parma and true Italian hidden gem Piacenza, making a road trip out of the transfer.

Having a car gives you more flexibility

Train travel in northern Italy is really easy and fast if you are looking for connections between larger cities, but depending on where you wish to go, there will be times when you may have long waits, slow travel times and – especially with countryside locations – there may be no trains at all.

If you’d rather avoid these hassles, of if you wish to explore more hidden gems near Bologna, the best way to get around is to rent a car in Bologna.

Renting a car in Bologna will ensure that you can come and go as you please without having to wait at bus and train stations. If you’re on a tight schedule, the last thing you want to do is waste time that could otherwise be used seeing as much of Italy as possible.

You don’t have to travel light if you have your own car

I am a big fan of traveling light, but there are times when this is simply not an option.

For example, if you are traveling with your family, having a car available will ensure that you always have somewhere to store your stuff instead of carrying it around on buses and trains, and then it’s simply easier if you have children.

Now, let’s see what you need to know before you actually rent a car in Bologna.

Have I convinced you? Then go ahead and check out the prices of car rental in Bologna on Discover Cars and see which car you can hire for a very reasonable price.

How To Rent A Car In Bologna

Now that you know why renting a car in Bologna is a great idea, let me share my expert tips. I rent cars in Italy and elsewhere in the world all the time and I know all the tricks to land a good deal. Car rental in Bologna isn’t hard, but it’s best to be prepared.

Quick overview

Let me first start with a quick step-by-step guide on what you need to do to rent a car in Bologna. If you have no time to read further, this is all you need to read. I will share more details in a bit.

Whichever car you are thinking of renting in Bologna, I recommend using a comparison site such as Discover Cars to get an idea of the prices of car rental in Bologna. Third-party booking sites such as Discover Cars also allow you to read the reviews left by other travelers.

Rent a car online via Discover Cars

Not all comparison sites are created equal. I have tried many of them, and I must say that I had some awful experiences with some.

One in particular, that I’d rather not mention, has a habit of showing pick up locations that are near (but not in) the city you need, so you may end up booking a car rental in Bologna and realize when you are ready to pick it up that you must make your way to Modena. It happened to me – but thankfully I realized immediately and cancelled the rental.

Other comparison sites have poor customer service, and oftentimes it will be impossible to talk to someone that is able to understand your needs and not sound like a robot (again, talking from experience here).

After having tried various companies, I now only use Discover Cars. The site is easy to use, and they have great customer support.

Here is what you need to do when renting a car in Bologna via Discover Cars:

First of all, open the Discover Cars page or app – you can download it for free for iOS and Android.

Input the most important details: where you want to pick up the car (for example, if you want to rent a car in Bologna Airport or in the city center), the dates you need the car for, the drop off location in case you want to return it elsewhere.

Click on search and the system will pull out a number of deals on car rental in Bologna. Now, use the filters to narrow down your search and find the best car for your needs and budget.

What filters should you use?

I normally apply a ratings filter. I ask the system to pull out companies that have a minimum rating of 8 out of 10. Companies with higher ratings are often more expensive. But that’s because they have better cars, better customer support, and no hidden fees.

You can then choose the kind of car you wish to rent. If you are traveling alone or with a friend, an economy car such as a Fiat Panda or similar is ok for the trip. Otherwise, if you have lots of luggage or are traveling with your family, opt for a bigger car.

Then, tick the box for Full Coverage. This additional fee of around €10 per day covers any accidental damage to the car – stuff like windows or mirrors.

At the end of this process, you will have a selection of car rental companies in Bologna that have a car that matches your search criteria. You can adjust to view the list by price or by rating.

Discover Cars is my favorite comparison site for car rental in Bologna and elsewhere. It shows prices of all car rental companies – international, Italian and even smaller local companies – and will show you the best deals on car rental according to the filters you have provided. Discover cars has a flexible cancellation policy too: you can cancel up top 48 hours before you are due to pick up your car.

Is Full Coverage insurance needed when renting a car in Bologna?

I think it’s better. Bologna is safe, and so is Emilia Romagna and northern Italy in general.

However, if you are driving in an unknown country, anything can happen. Most people have a great time, but there are occasions when things go wrong, and that’s precisely why you need to get full coverage insurance.

The first thing you should do is check with your credit card company: some will provide their own insurance and you may not need an additional one. But some car rental companies in Bologna may refuse your additional credit card company insurance, and Italian law says that you need to have insurance when you rent a car.

Discover Cars Full Coverage insurance policy is a really convenient deal on insurance when renting a car. It costs just €10 per day, which will increase the final cost of your car rental, but it’s actually cheaper than getting insurance directly with the rental car company.

Here’s what Full Coverage insurance by Discover Cars covers:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which protects you in case of accidents;
• Personal Liability insurance;
• Medical expenses for all passengers in case of an accident;
• Theft protection;
• Damages to the body of the car;
• Towing expenses.

Here’s what’s not included in your Full Coverage insurance by Discover Cars:

• Damage to the interior parts of the car;
• Cleaning fees;
• Damage caused if you don’t adhere to the terms and conditions of the car rental policy.

Will car rental companies in Bologna accept Discover Cars Full Coverage policy?

It has happened to me that car rental companies have pushed me to get their own insurance policy, even when I had already purchased Discover Cars Full Coverage policy.

Discover Cars is very clear on this, and you can read it in your confirmation email too once you book your car: you don’t have to buy the additional insurance that the car rental company will offer you.

If you refuse the car rental company insurance, the company will usually hold an additional deposit (around €3000). This is just a deposit that you will get back once you return the car with no damages.

What if there are damages?

In this case, you will have to file a claim with Discover Cars. Don’t worry, it’s easy to do via the website or app. Discover Cars will process your claim within 48 hour and reimburse you soon afterwards.

Best pick up location when renting a car in Bologna – rent a car in Bologna Airport

There are many places where you can rent a car in Bologna, but if you are landing in the city, the quickest and easiest way to get a car is to rent one from the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi International Airport as soon as you land.

I have come across people that claim that renting a car in Bologna Airport is more expensive than renting it in the city, or in other nearby towns.

But guess what? Even it this was true (I argue it is not), the hassle of having to go to a random small town nearby to pick up a cheaper car rental may be enormous, and require lots of time (and money). It’s ultimately not convenient.

There are many car rental companies that have very conveniently located offices in Bologna Airport. The car rental agencies are located in the terminal on the ground floor and this is the area where car rental parking is also located.

Some of the companies you’ll find here are Avis-Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Maggiore, Sixt Rent a Car, Autovia and Leasys Rent.

If you plan to fly into Bologna and depart from another city in Italy, you can rent a car in Bologna Airport and drop it off at whichever airport you leave from at the end of your trip.

This is normally allowed as long as the company has offices in that other location. Indeed, pick up and drop off don’t have to be in the same place. However, it’s good to know that there is an additional one-way fee.

If you are renting a car in Bologna Airport, it’s worth remembering that to land the best rates and find the best car for your needs, you need to book it well in advance. Especially if you are traveling to Italy in the peak season (between May and October), you can’t expect to show up at the airport and land a great deal on your rental car.

In fact, you may be entirely unable to get a car at all.

Make sure to check the prices of car rental in Bologna on Discover Cars – This is by far my favorite comparison site when it comes to car rental, as it gives you a good idea of what all companies charge.

Rent a car in Bologna downtown

If you are arriving to Bologna by train from elsewhere in Italy, or if you are planning to spend a few days in Bologna before you head out on a road trip, you can also rent a car in the center of Bologna. There are some car rental companies near the main train station, in both Via de’ Carracci and Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro.

If you want to rent a car in Bologna city center, simply input “Bologna Downtown” or “Bologna Train Station” when selecting your rental car pick up location on Discover Cars.

Best car rental companies in Bologna

You will find all major international and Italian companies for car rental in Bologna – Herzt, Locauto, Sicily by Car, Budget, Avis, Sixt and Europcar all have offices in town and at Bologna Airport, along with some lesser known companies such as Autovia and Drivalia.

I am sure you think that checking out the prices of car rental on each and every of these companies is cumbersome, not to mention time consuming.

An easy way around it is to use a comparison site such as Discover Cars that allows me to see the prices of the various companies.

How far in advance should you rent a car in Bologna?

You should always book your rental car in Bologna well ahead of your trip. Don’t expect to just walk out of the airport in Bologna and find what you need!

Start researching well before your trip: booking early means finding more availability and better deals. Also remember that you can pick up your rental car in Bologna and drop it off at different locations.

Which car to rent in Bologna

There are many factors that come into play when deciding what type of car to rent in Bologna. Your decision will depend on your budget, how many people are traveling with you, how much luggage you have and where you intend to go.

If you plan to stay in Bologna and explore the city and the area immediately around it, you can get away with a more compact vehicle – usually an economy car will be enough.

City driving requires a lot of stopping and accelerating so you’ll burn more gas. A small car will help reduce how much money you spend on fuel, but it will also be easier to maneuver through the crowded narrow streets that Bologna and most Italian cities are known for.

Recently, many visitors have been turning to electric cars as their choice of rental. The best thing about renting an electric car in Bologna is that you’re allowed to drive them in the otherwise restricted ZTL areas (more on that in a bit) where you’ll also find reserved parking spaces and electric charging stations.

If you are going on a road trip or you are traveling with your family, you might be better off renting a bigger car for the added space and comfort.

I recommend using Discover Cars to compare the prices of car rental in Bologna.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Bologna?

Whenever people email me to complain about the ridiculous costs of car rental in Italy, I ask them about their travel dates and it inevitably turns out that they are looking for a car in the very peak season, and that they left their search at the very last minute.

Hiring a car in Bologna does not have to be expensive, as long as you plan in advance and know where to look.

You can expect to pay an average of €30 per day (including Full Coverage) for an economy car if you are visiting in the summer months, and as little as €10 per day in the off season.

If you are looking to keep your costs down, it’s worth noting a few things that will increase the price of your rental car:

• Additional driver;
• GPS system;
• Automatic transmission car (cars in Italy are manual by default);
• Child or infant seat;
• Drop off location different from the pick up one.

How old do you need to be to rent a car in Bologna?

You need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Italy. Car rental companies often apply a surcharge to drivers who are under 25; and very few will rent a car to drivers who are just 18 – and they must have had a driver’s license for at least a year.

There is no maximum age to rent a car in Italy, but some companies have a policy of not renting cars (or applying a surcharge) to drivers who are older than 75 or 80.

Documents needed when renting a car in Bologna

These are the documents you will need to rent a car in Bologna:

• A valid driving license – make sure it hasn’t expired!
• By Italian law, you can drive in Italy if you have a license from another EU country. Otherwise, you need an International Driving Permit. If you are from the US, you can get one via the website of the American Automobile Association. Some rental car companies may not ask for it, but you still have to have it by law.
• A credit card. Some companies will also accept a debit card.
• Your passport.
• Insurance policy.

Useful Tips When Renting A Car In Bologna

Carefully inspect the car before driving off

This tip is actually valid for any place where you may be renting a car.

Don’t rush out of the car rental company offices once you have signed the contract. No matter how late it is and how tired you are, make it a point to inspect the car with a representative of the car rental company and take photos of scratches and bumps that you see, and make sure they are reported in the documents.

This will help you avoid any dispute when you return the car.

It’s worth noting that if you have Full Coverage insurance, small damages are covered so you don’t need to worry too much.

Make a not of how much fuel is in the tank – it easier to rent full-to-full cars to avoid disputes on this too.

I recommend checking the prices of car rental in Bologna on Discover Cars, my favorite comparison site for car rental anywhere in the world.

Be on time when you return the car

Bologna is a fairly large city, and traffic can be really bad if there are events, festivals or fairs, and even roadworks. The last time I was there a fair at Bologna Fiera congested all traffic and it took me longer than expected to get to the airport.

Give yourself plenty of time to drop of the car, especially if you have a flight to catch and you need to check in your bags etc.

Driving to and from the Airport in Bologna

The distance between Bologna Guglielmo Marconi International Airport and the city center of Bologna is approximately 4.5 miles (7.5 kilometers) and it shouldn’t take any longer than 25 minutes to get there no matter which route you take – though as I have said before that really depends on traffic.

While there are several different routes that will take you from the airport to the city center, the fastest one travels along Via del Triumvirato (this is the road the airport is located on) before turning onto Via Emilia Ponente.

Next, take the turn at Agucchi and follow until you reach Via del Lazzaretto and then turn at Umberto Terancini.

At Via Alberto Manzi, follow until you make the turn at Via Francesco Zanardi and then turn again at Via Guglielmo Marconi. Finally, make the turn at Via Riva di Remo to arrive at the center city district.

Driving in Bologna

As of January 2024 the speed limit in the entire city of Bologna is 30 km/h, which means that wherever you are in the city, you will have to slow down.

Many streets in Bologna are monitored with speed cameras so you may end up with a speeding ticket that’ll need to be paid. It will be delivered to the car rental company, which will chase you until you actually pay the fine.

Like many cities in Italy, the center of Bologna is full of narrow streets and you may find driving around them intimidating.

One area of the city that’s best avoided if you want to avoid gridlocks is the Tangenziale, or Ring Road as it’s also known.

Roundabouts are another headache in Italy, but they can’t be avoided as they are more and more common.

The best way to navigate them is to remain calm, take your time, don’t pay attention to aggressive drivers that may be honking right behind you and simply go around them again if you miss your exit. Remember that for roundabouts you have to give way to your left.

My post What You Need To Know About Driving In Italy highlights the main difficulties of driving in the country as a foreigner.

ZTL Zones

If you plan to drive in Bologna at all, you should become familiar with the term ZTL.

ZTL stands for Zona Traffico Limitato. It is a restricted area that only authorized vehicles (usually residents in the area) can enter throughout the day (others can only access at certain times of day) and doing so without permission or at a time when it is not allowed may get you a fine.

ZTLs are monitored by traffic cameras, and there’s not much you can do to get out of a ticket.

The ZTL area in Bologna includes but is not limited to the historic center.

The T Zone ZTL, which includes Via Rizzoli, Via Ugo Bassi and Via Indipendenza, is where you’ll find many of the city’s top attractions, shops and restaurants and is restricted 24 hours a day except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

The University Zone ZTL, which is from the Fine Arts building to the Belmeloro areas, is also restricted 24 hours a day.

Other areas are restricted every day of the week between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm.

If your hotel happens to be located in one of these zones, arrangements can be made for you to come and go as needed – there are actually temporary ZTL passes on sale via the municipality, though it’s not clear on the official website of the Comune di Bologna whether travelers with a car rental would qualify for those.

Usually, the manager of your hotel will pass along your information so that if your license plate is registered as entering the zone, you won’t be penalized because the city will know you have permission to be there. Just make sure you point out you will be arriving by car, and they will make the necessary arrangements.

There are ways to avoid accidentally entering one of these zones.

First of all, get yourself familiar with where the zones are located (you can find a full list of places here) and what routes to take to avoid them. If your car has a GPS, make sure it doesn’t automatically program routes that include these zones.

If you are lost and someone offers to take you to your destination, and invites you to follow them, make sure not to follow them through a ZTL as they may have a pass, but you don’t!

Secondly, keep your eyes open for a ZTL sign – it will be a red circle and there often is a shiny sign that says whether you can drive through or not.

For reference:

• Varco Aperto – it means you can safely drive through;
• Varco Chiuso – do not drive through.

Parking in Bologna

Parking can be an issue when you rent a car in Bologna, but there are ways around it. Obviously if you’re not familiar with parking in Bologna, you’ll find it difficult to find a safe, affordable and convenient place to park in the city.

First of all, there are three main things you need to know about parking anywhere in Italy:

BLUE LINES – Parking spaces that are marked with blue lines are paid parking.
WHITE LINES – Parking spaces marked with white lines are free.
YELLOW LINES – Spaces marked with yellow lines are for disabled drivers or other special categories.

You won’t see many spots marked with white lines because the majority of parking in Bologna is paid. The few free parking spaces available are taken up pretty quickly so it’s unlikely you would find one.

My recommendation, if you intend to keep your car for your stay in Bologna, is to contact your host and ask about the most convenient parking spots near the hotel.

There are many car parks around Bologna including Multipiano Riva di Reno, Piazza VIII Agosto and Tanari, which has over 400 spaces and access to an affordable shuttle service that can take you downtown.

Parking garages are the safest option for parking in Bologna but they tend to be a little more expensive. Some of these garages, including Garage Autostazione, and Nuovo Parcheggio Stazione, are close to train stations where you can hop on a bus to the city center.

If you’re looking for free parking, many of the blue paid spaces are free on Sunday. Otherwise, you might find some free parking near the shopping centers that are however away from the city.

The Unipol Arena is one place where you might find a space and there’s a train that goes to the city center from there. Another place where you might find free parking is in the Certosa Car Park. It’s quite a distance from the center city but there’s a bus stop nearby.

Further Readings

These other posts will be useful when planning a trip to Bologna:

• A Perfect One Day In Bologna Itinerary
• How To Get From Rome To Bologna
• Where To Stay In Bologna

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