Is renting a car in Italy a good idea? The short answer would be yes. A road trip is actually a really fun way of exploring the country. Now, I know most of you are worried about driving in Italy. After all, we Italians have a really bad reputation as drivers.
But I promise you it’s not nearly as bad as you think (well, except in certain places where not even I would dare to drive, to be honest), and driving is a great way of getting to know the country.
Of course, there are a number of factors to consider when deciding whether or not to rent a car in Italy.
For example, if you are only planning on visiting cities, there really is no need to drive. On the other hand, if you want to get out of town, visit the beaches or hike in the mountains, a car will definitely be needed.
Since I regularly rent a car in Italy whenever I visit (remember, I live on the sunny island of Sardinia) I thought I’d help share a bunch of expert tips that will help you when picking your car rental in Italy.
When renting a car in Italy (and anywhere else in the world) I use Discover Cars, my preferred comparison site. What I appreciate about them is that they have a very powerful search engine that looks for local and international companies, and finds the best deals for you. They also have free cancellation up to 48 hours before you actually pick up the car and a budget-friendly full coverage policy.
Curious to find out more? In this post, I will highlight the main reasons why you should be renting a car in Italy, and tell you everything you need to know before you rent a car.
Not sure where to go in Italy? Head over to my posts A Classic Italy Itinerary and The Best Places To Visit In Italy for more ideas.
Why Renting A Car In Italy Is A Great Idea
There are many reasons why you would want to rent a car in Italy. Besides being a handy way to get to see some harder-to-reach towns and destinations, Italy has some incredible stretches of road to match. Before I get carried away, here are a few in-depth reasons to rent a car in Italy.
Want to have an idea of the prices of car rental in Italy? Head over to Discover Cars, my favorite comparison site for car rental.
Italy is a great road trip destination
Italy is a fantastic destination to discover by car, with some fantastic scenic roads that will make you wish to drive! Driving in Italy isn’t just convenient, but absolutely fantastic, and if you like driving as much as I do (I am a huge fan) you should not miss this opportunity.
You will be winding through the dramatic Dolomites along the Grande Strada della Dolomiti; twisting and turning along the Amalfi Coast, or exploring the rambling coastline of Sardinia.
Some of these roads aren’t necessarily for everyone – some of them can be a little challenging (and scary) – but for experienced drivers who want stunning scenery and fun roads to drive, Italy ranks high.
Some places are hard to reach via public transport
Some places in Italy aren’t exactly well served by public transport either. It’s easy to reach major cities and towns by bus or train – so if you are just visiting those, you likely won’t need to rent a car in Italy. Cities like Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, Bologna and Venice are very well connected by bus and train.
But not all of Italy is the same, and the minute you get out of a city or town and slightly off the beaten path, public transport can be a bit lacking. Likewise, some regions are simply impossible to explore by public transportation – I am thinking of Sardinia, Sicily or Puglia to name just a few.
Even parts of Lazio, which is next door to Rome, aren’t easy to explore using buses or trains the whole time. Whenever I visit my dad’s family in the historical region of Tuscia, which is just an hour from Rome, I need to rent a car or else I feel stuck!
You should definitely rent a car in Italy if you want to hit the many hiking trails. It’s not common for buses to stop by a trailhead – even for the most popular hikes, you will at most be able to catch a bus to the nearest village. Besides, a bus won’t wait for you in case the hike is taking longer than expected!
So, to sum it up: public transport in Italy is great if you want to see the most famous places and go to the biggest cities. But if you want to delve a little deeper and see Italy off the beaten path, renting a car in Italy is definitely a good decision.
Your schedule is entirely up to you
Rather than relying on bus timetables, looking up train times constantly, or having to arrange a bunch of (sometimes very expensive) guided tours ahead of time, driving is a breeze by comparison.
Besides, making sure you’re at bus stops or train stations on time, and even getting to those transport hubs in the first place, can be a real hassle.
Without having to plan ahead too much (especially with Google Maps or in-car navigation to help out), you can drive pretty much anywhere you want to on a whim. Though mind you, if you travel to popular destinations and during peak season, booking your accommodation in advance remains a must!.
Driving in Italy basically allows you to be spontaneous in your travel style. You can travel on your own schedule, make last-minute changes, decide to stay at the beach longer to see the sunset or leave extra early to avoid traffic. You can go for dinner in a different town without having to worry about finding a way to go back.
If you like that idea, then you’ll probably want to rent a car in Italy.
Now that you know why you should rent a car in Italy, head over to Discover Cars to check the prices of car rental in Italy and see what you can get for a very reasonable fee.
How To Rent A Car In Italy
Now that you’ve got a few good reasons to rent a car in Italy (the road trips, the convenience, the freedom), it’s time to figure out just how to rent a car in Italy.
This is definitely easy, but to give you even more information on what to expect and the best ways to rent a car, here are a few handy tips to help you out.
Quick overview
This is a short summary of my expert tips on how to pick the best car rental in Italy.
Head over to Discover Cars for the best deals on car rental in Italy.
Select fully prepaid cars so that you don’t have to pay anything on arrival.
Pick a supplier with 8.0 or higher ratings. Some will also use suppliers with 7.0 rating but in my view, you only get what you pay for.
Make sure to check if you need to pay a deposit. The main driver must have a credit card, but you can select companies that only request a debit card (this is usually more expensive)
Choose Full-to-Full fuel policies to avoid having to pay high fuel charges.
Pick cars with unlimited mileage.
Read the pick-up instructions carefully and double-check your voucher to make sure the picking location and picking times are correct.
Pay attention to the location types — in some airports, some car rentals are actually a drive from the airport and you’ll have to request a shuttle to get there.
Rent a car online via Discover Cars
My first recommendation when looking to hire a car in Italy (and elsewhere) is to use a comparison site to find the best rates. There are many comparison sites, and I have tried pretty much all of them and now only rely on Discover Cars. It’s where I find the best deals, and they have the best customer service in my experience. I have used them recently and again, it was great.
Here are the steps you need to follow when looking for a car:
Type in your details: Decide which location you want to rent a car from and where you want to return it. Remember there is an extra charge for one-way rentals, but in most cases, it’s worth paying it to save the hassle of having to travel back. Put your travel dates, and what kind of car you want to rent (more about this later too).
Filter your search by ratings – I recommend a minimum of 8 stars over 10, even if the companies with lower ratings are cheaper. Remember, cheaper rates may mean hidden fees you would only discover upon picking up the car.
Select Full Coverage – This additional daily fee of around €10 per day will cover any damage to the car such as repair work, towing, lost keys, windows or glass repairs, etc. I will explain this in more detail later.
Hit search, and the powerful Discover Cars engine will give you a list of companies that have a car that meets your requirements, and the prices.
In short: Discover Cars is a highly competitive comparison site that searches the prices of all car rental companies (including smaller local ones) and shows you the best deals for your request. They have free cancellation up to 48 hours before you are due to pick up your car and offer Full Coverage Insurance.
Get Full Coverage insurance
As an expert traveler, and as someone who uses car rentals on a regular basis, this is something I wholeheartedly recommend. You really never know what may happen during your trip to Italy. It may be a breeze, but there may also be some inconveniences and having that extra insurance will be handy and save you a headache in case things go wrong.
First of all, you are by law requested to have insurance when driving in Italy. Furthermore, Italian law requires that you have specific types of insurance when driving.
This is Collision Damage Waiver (or CDW) and Theft Protection (TP). Thankfully, this is usually included in the package when you’re renting a car; third party liability insurance will also be included.
There are optional add-ons for extra insurance to protect you, such as Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) and Personal Effects Coverage (PEC). These offer extra cover for things such as personal injury or loss of irreplaceable items.
One thing to keep in mind is that even if you have your own insurance via your credit card company, this may not be accepted in Italy.
My tip is to get comprehensive insurance to cover you for any liabilities, ie in case you get involved in a car accident with your rental car.
You can get Full Coverage via Discover Cars. It costs around €10 per day, which is cheaper than getting insurance directly with the car rental company (car rental companies may charge you €30 per day!)
What’s included in Full Coverage insurance? You will have a collision damage waiver (CDW, which travelers renting a car in Italy as an American may have already). The CDW protects you in case of an accident, includes personal liability insurance, and covers medical expenses for all passengers when there’s an accident.
It also includes theft protection and any damage to the body of the car (tires, glass, and windows, lost keys, towing expenses, and more).
It’s also important to point out what Full Coverage does not include: damage to the interior parts of the car, cleaning fees, damage occurs because of unforeseeable events or when you did not adhere to the terms and conditions of your car rental policy.
Will local companies in Italy accept Discover Cars Full Coverage policy?
Unfortunately, some car rental companies in Italy may try to push their full coverage policy even if you bought one via Discover Cars.
You should not feel obligated to purchase a further full coverage policy. On my most recent trip to Tuscia, I rented a car in Fiumicino Airport and the person at the counter was adamant I needed their full coverage. It was late, I was tired and did not want to spend hours discussing, so I just bought it. But when I asked Discover Cars about it, they ended up reimbursing me.
Don’t get that additional policy, but be aware of what will happen.
The car rental company will simply hold an additional deposit (usually in the range of €3000) and once you return the car with no damage, the hold will be taken off.
If once you return your car there is damage, you’ll have to file a claim to Discover Cars. It will be processed within 48 hours and you will be reimbursed for up to €3000.
Filing a claim with Discover Cars is super easy. You can obviously use their website or they have a handy app for iOS and Android. You need to log in with the same email you used to book the car.
Where to rent a car in Italy
This is a good question and a simple one for most people. That’s because most people choose to rent a car in Italy directly at whatever airport they arrive at.
These rental car companies are usually grouped together at the airport, making it super easy. For example in Rome Fiumicino Airport, you simply have to walk to Office Tower 2 which you can reach via the tunnels that connect the terminal to the train station. Beware that some rental companies are actually located in Fiumicino town!
Once again, let me stress that my favorite company for renting a car in Italy and anywhere else in the world is Discover Cars. They are a powerful comparison sites that allows you to see the prices of all major car rental companies and find the best available deals.
If you’re doing a road trip, this also means that you’ll get the added convenience of dropping your car off just before catching your flight home. It is also possible to find a good choice of rental car companies around big train stations, but remember that driving in bigger cities in Italy can be a real hassle if you are not accustomed to our traffic.
One important thing to remember when looking for the prices of car rental in Italy is that there is an additional one-way fee to pay if you return the car to a different location from where you picked it. This can add quite a bit to the overall cost of your car rental. To have an idea of the prices of car rental in Italy, search through Discover Cars.
Choose the right car for your trip
Choosing the right car for you is really important when it comes to renting a car in Italy. The first thing to consider is the size of the car.
You need to consider whether you are traveling solo or as a couple, or if it’s for a family or friends’ trip away. The bigger your travel group, the larger the car you’ll need.
You should also think about how much luggage you’re bringing with you for your vacation. If you’ve got big suitcases with you, then you’ll want a larger vehicle with room in the trunk.
Another thing to consider is what type of trip you’re taking. If you are renting a car for short trips, like for taking day trips to the beach, then an economy car like a Fiat Panda or a Fiat Cinquecento is ideal. You will be able to park it more easily in the narrow parking spots too.
An economy car is generally a better idea for most trips, but if you are traveling in a group or visiting mountain areas with lots of steep roads, you should consider something a bit more powerful and with good fuel economy. And if your trip is longer and you plan to stay on the road quite a bit, a larger car is also more comfortable.
A final thing to consider if you are renting a car in Italy as an American: Most cars in Italy are manual – it’s just the standard. Manual cars are also cheaper to hire, which means – if you’re used to manuals – you won’t have to add the cost of renting an automatic car.
Automatics are available but are more expensive.
Ready to rent a car in Italy? Use Discover Cars to find the best deals.
How far in advance should you rent a car in Italy?
If you’re a fan of saving money, or if you simply have to stick to a budget during your trip to Italy, then the best option is to book your car in advance to find some good deals.
If you know you want to rent a car for your trip to Italy, my advice is to book it as soon as you have secured your flights and you have your travel dates. This is especially important if you are traveling to Italy in the peak season (between mid-May and October) when there are more requests and availability may be more limited (and prices higher).
If you leave it to the last minute, you may be disappointed – the prices will be much higher, and you may not find the kind of car you want.
By all means, don’t just show up at a car rental agency looking for a car! That’s the perfect formula to spend a lot of money! The rental car company may have slim pickings in the choice of cars they have on offer – especially if you happen to be traveling in high season.
This actually happened to me a few months back and I ended up with a car that was much bigger (and significantly more expensive) than what I actually needed.
My favorite site to rent a car in Italy is Discover Cars. It’s a comparison site you can use to check the prices of various rental car companies.
How much does renting a car in Italy cost?
Renting a car in Italy is not expensive, provided you reserve in advance. There is a lot of variation in prices between the low season and the peak summer season too.
For example, if you want to rent an economy car in February, this will cost as little as €10 per day with Full Coverage insurance – it can’t get better than that!
But if you want the same car in the summer, it will be a minimum of€35 per day.
What you need to consider is that the cost of car rental can depend on several factors.
What time of year it is; where (airport or city?) you’re renting it from; whether or not you’re dropping the car back at the same destination you picked it up from; how old you are (there is often a “Young Driver Surcharge” if you’re between 21 and 24 years old); the kind of car you are getting; and any additions to the basic package (ie additional driver, kids or baby seats etc).
The best thing to do is shop around. You can’t predict how much renting a car in Italy will cost until you’ve given car rental companies the information they need to process your request.
Want to have an idea of the prices? Check out the prices of car rental in Italy on Discover Cars.
The price of gas in Italy
If you decide to rent a car for your trip to Italy, you should factor in the price of gas. Here in Italy (and in Europe in general) it is much more expensive than in the United States. At the moment, gasoline costs around €1.80 per liter (that’s around €6,85 per gallon).
What’s the legal age for renting a car in Italy?
The legal age for renting a car in Italy is 18, but as I mentioned you must have a driving license that’s been valid for at least a year. Note also that some rental car companies will not rent to those under 25.
Most rental companies will offer rentals to those aged 21 and above but they will charge a “Young Driver Surcharge” if you’re aged under 25.
In theory, there is no maximum age limit but some companies will apply a limit of 75 or 80 years of age.
What documents do you need when renting a car in Italy?
A valid driver’s license
One thing you obviously need when driving in Italy is a valid driving license, which you must have had for at least a year if you want to hire a car in Italy.
If you’re traveling to Italy from outside the EU, you will also need an International Driving Permit. You’re not required to show your International Driving Permit when you go to hire the car and chances are the car rental company won’t ask for it. But by law, you must have There is a chance you could get a fine if you’re pulled over by police and fail to show it.
An International Driving Permit is relatively cheap. You can pick it up from official offices (AAA in the US and the Post Office, in the UK, for example).
Your passport
Another document you’ll need is a copy of your passport. You’ll need to show this when renting your car. Like the International Driving Permit, this needs to be with you at all times, not just when you go to pick up the car.
A credit card
When you pick up your car, you’ll also need to show the valid credit card you used to book the car online. Usually a credit card is preferred, as it gives both the company and you protection.
If you are the designated driver but you didn’t book the car, you’ll need to be with the person who booked the car (and they need their card).
When you give the company your credit card, they’ll usually put a hold for a certain amount on the card. This will then be released when you return the car in good condition.
Some companies will allow you to rent a car with just a debit card, but it’s generally more expensive.
Useful Tips When Renting A Car In Italy
Check the car before you drive off and when you return it
Before you drive the car off the lot of the rental car company, you should make sure to inspect it. Check for pre-existing damage – scratches, dents, anything that looks like it shouldn’t be there. It’s a good idea to take pictures or even a video for your own records.
This is just in case there is a dispute when you return the car.
Make sure that any damage that already exists on the vehicle is documented on the contract. Otherwise, you could have damage that you didn’t do being blamed on you, and therefore losing the holding deposit – sometimes this can be a lot of money.
Another thing you should check is how much fuel is in the car’s tank. Usually the tank will be full, and you’ll have to return it full, too.
If there are any issues with the car you have been provided, make sure to point them out before you leave so that it can be replaced immediately.
Leave plenty of time when returning the car
We’ve all been there: rushing to get back to the rental car company before you catch your flight back. It happened to me during a trip to Puglia – I kept getting lost, there were road works and no signs pointing to the airport – and I made it back barely in time.
It’s not a fun situation to be in, and can be risky speeding around or making rash decisions just to get it back for a specific time. The solution? Leave yourself plenty of time to get back.
Plan your trip so that you’re not making a huge journey when you have to return the car, and look for gas stations near the airport before you depart: you will need to fill up before returning the car.
Use a GPS but also get a road map and follow signs
GPS is often a standard piece of equipment in rental cars. They’re very handy to use, but you should also get a road map.
Keep your phone fully charged so you can use Google Maps if necessary – you can download maps offline before your trip in case you don’t have an internet connection when you are in Italy.
However, Google Maps and other GPS aren’t always 100% reliable – they often send you on small country roads just because it’s the shortest way to drive to a destination (but probably not the easiest), or they may not be updated with road works.
A road map is a good thing to have, just in case – and following signs is good too. This means you keep your eyes on the road rather than on a screen, which keeps you more alert in the long run.
Be mindful of Italian traffic laws
Make sure you brush up on Italian traffic laws so you don’t get yourself in trouble. There are plenty of rules to know when it comes to driving in Italy, from speed limits to parking restrictions, so knowing the basics will help you stay safe and avoid the attention of the police.
Pay attention to road signs: some cities often change them, and your GPS system may not be up to date.
Beware of the speed limits (and speed cameras, called “autovelox” in Italian). The speed limit in Italy is 130 km/h on the highway (autostrada), 110 km/h on the freeway (superstrada). It’s 90 km/h on main provincial roads, though some will be 70 km/h or even 50 km/h. The speed limit is 50 km/h in cities, with residential areas having an even lower speed limit of 30 km/h.
Signs will normally warn you of speed cameras. If you notice cars in front of you suddenly slowing down, they likely know there is a speed camera ahead and you should slow down too.
Many cars go way above the speed limit, but if you want to keep out of trouble (and avoid fines) you shouldn’t do it!
Another thing to be aware of is where to park. Here are some basic things to know:
Paid parking in Italy is signaled by blue lines. Unless otherwise specified, you’ll have to pay from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and again from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Beware that many beach locations have paid parking on Sundays too. The fee varies depending on the location.
Free parking is signaled by white lines, whereas yellow lines are for disabled drivers.
Finally, beware of places where it is forbidden to park: normally there will be a sign that says “divieto di sosta” (parking not permitted).
One thing you will notice is that many in Italy leave their car parked pretty much in the middle of the road. We call that “parcheggio in doppia fila” and it’s a common practice when you are running a quick errand nearby. I find it extremely rude, as it slows down traffic a lot!
If you get a ticket when driving in Italy, the car rental company will send you a notification via email or regular mail and you will be asked to pay.
What is a ZTL?
One thing you should definitely be aware of if you plan to drive in Italy are the ZTLs that you’ll find scattered throughout towns and cities. This stands for “zona traffico limitato” – or “limited traffic zone” in English.
You’ll find these mostly in cities with historic centers (i.e. pretty much all of them). What it means is that only local residents and specially authorized vehicles can drive there. Their purpose is to make the streets safer for pedestrians, reduce noise and emissions.
Other cars can only drive through ZTLs during certain hours – usually between 3:00 and 5:00 pm and from 9:00 pm to 6:00 or 7:00 am – though the exact times vary from place to place.
ZTLs are marked with a sign: sometimes it can be hard to see where those signs are, but usually there is a very shiny sign with a LED signal suggesting either “varco aperto” (gate open, which means you can drive through) or “varco chiuso” (gate closed, which means you can’t).
Access to ZTLs is monitored by CCTV, so there will be evidence if you drive in a ZTL – even if you didn’t see the sign, you may still face a fine. Keep your eyes peeled for these kind of signs and in case of doubt, don’t drive through.
Don’t drink and drive!
This kind of goes without saying, but it’s really just not a good idea to drink and drive – at all. A blood alcohol level of 0.5 g/liter or above is classified as drunk driving in Italy.
The only way to know if you’re drinking and driving in Italy is by carrying a breathalyzer around with you, which is not likely! So it’s best to avoid alcohol altogether if you are driving.
If you’re caught, you can face hefty fines and possibly losing your license. The penalties get more severe as the blood alcohol level of the driver increases.
Further Readings
If you are planning a trip to Italy, these posts will be useful:
- What To Do And What To Avoid When Planning A Trip To Italy
- A Guide To Renting A Car In Naples
- What You Must Know When Renting A Car In Catania
- Should You Rent A Car In Rome?
- The Ultimate Guide To Renting A Car In Bologna
- The Best Italy Travel Tips
- All The Reasons To Visit Italy
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Somewhere I read that if you are over 70 years old, they might not allow you to rent the car. Is this true?
You may have to pay a fee if you are elderly or younger than 23 – though my dad is 78 and regularly rents. It depends on the company.