Best value car hire from top brands
Italy car hire tips
Where to pick up your car
There are over 315 car hire locations in Italy, and the most popular city is Milan.
Top car rental brands
The most popular car rental brands in Italy are Sicily By Car, Locauto, Alamo,
Maggiore and Europcar.
Best time to hire a car
The cheapest months to pick up your car hire in Italy are November and February.
Local currency
Euro (EUR)
Side of road
Right
Hire a car in Italy
History, sun and food – this
boot‑shaped land has it all.
There are such a diverse range of landscapes to explore by car in Italy. From the mountainous
roads of the Dolomites, to the many rolling hills of Tuscany, there’s something for
everyone.
easyCar compares car hire suppliers across Italy for you, so that you can
see all the options before making a decision.
Exploring Italy by car
Things to note as a driver
The Italian driving mentality
Decisive driving (to put it lightly) is the norm, so Italian drivers will be much more used
to this type of road user. Being extremely hesitant behind the wheel will not only confuse
local drivers, it may also mean that you never get anywhere. Unlike other countries, drivers
here are unlikely to let you out!
Tailgating is fairly common so don’t get anxious if this happens to you. Don’t feel under
pressure to speed up – they will pass as soon as the opportunity arises.
The city centre rules
ZTLs (reduced traffic zones) are common in most cities where the aim is to reduce congestion
and help preserve the historical centres. Drive within these and your number plate will be
caught on camera, then you’ll be sent a large fine via the rental company. Look carefully at
any GPS routes, as they may not know to avoid these areas which could result in you driving
straight into one.
Road trip tips
- Trucks aren’t allowed to drive on Sundays, making it a good day to travel.
- Fuel is expensive in Italy, especially when compared to places such as the USA.
- You must have your headlights switched on at all times of day if you are driving on an
out of town road such as an autostrada. - Check whether your hotel offers parking – this can be a real money-saver if you are able
to park up your rental car for free.
Quick driving guides
A guide to speed limits
| Type of road | Kilometres per hour |
|---|---|
| Highway | 130 |
| Non-major highway | 110 |
| Local roads | 90 |
| Urban areas | 50 |
Red signs with white writing on designate the maximum speed, however blue signs with white
writing display the minimum speed limit. Don’t get these confused!
A guide to Italian road signs
| Colour of road sign | Type of road sign |
|---|---|
| Green | autostrada (toll roads) |
| Blue | main highways (free) |
| Brown | tourist attractions |
| Yellow / white | restaurants |
Viamichelin is a great website if you want to calculate the price of toll
roads on your route.
A guide to Italian parking
Blue: paid parking (there will be a metre nearby where you can buy a
ticket).
White: free parking (these are rare, so make sure you always
check the signs. A faded blue bay can sometimes be mistaken for a white
bay).
Yellow: residents or disabled badge holders.
In general, parking can be one of the trickiest parts of hiring a car in Italy. Plan ahead by
using websites such as Parcheggio (the name of which is also the word for parking
in Italian), so you know ahead of time where the multi-storey car parks are.
Milan
Fast car hire facts
| Cheapest / most expensive months | Average cost per day of car hire* |
|---|---|
| November | £13.30 |
| July | £34.30 |
(*based on a 7+day rental)
What’s it famous for?
People are drawn from all over the world to see
Milan because of its Duomo – the architectural
masterpiece which took nearly 600 years to build. This colossal church is the
third-largest in the world. Remember to book tickets in advance (people that don’t are
disappointed every day) as well as dress appropriately. The adjacent Piazza del Duomo is
a great place to enjoy a coffee, people watch and soak in the gothic magnificence.
Where to visit
Santa Maria delle Grazie is the place to get your Da
Vinci fix – the famed mural of The Last Supper is housed here. Again, this is one to
book well in advance.
Local tips
- Free WiFi is available throughout the city centre.
- Some restaurants have dress codes, so pack something relatively fancy if you want a
nice meal out. - Happy hour includes free food (stuzzichini) along with your drinks.
Other Italian cities
Pisa
| Cheapest / most expensive month | Average cost per day of car hire* |
|---|---|
| January | £10.90 |
| July | £31.00 |
(*based on a 7+day rental)
Driving tip
Parking up in Pisa isn’t
usually too bad, and paid parking is reasonably priced. Once you’re within the city, it’s a
great place to wander as it isn’t too big, and you’ll see the most on foot.
Tourist tip
Don’t underestimate the climb to the top of the Leaning
Tower. There’s nearly 300 steps and being a spiral staircase, you’re likely to get dizzy.
Naples
| Cheapest / most expensive month | Average cost per day of car hire* |
|---|---|
| February | £10.50 |
| August | £33.00 |
(*based on a 7+day rental)
Driving tip
Despite what you might think, driving from Naples to Pompeii (which is a 30 minute drive) is a really
good idea. The scenery is stunning and there’s plenty of parking!
Tourist tip
Be sure to try Pastiera Napoletana, it’s the most popular
cake in the city. Grab one on the go whilst enjoying a leisurely stroll (or passeggiata).
Bergamo
| Cheapest / most expensive month | Average cost per day of car hire* |
|---|---|
| November | £11.30 |
| July | £27.80 |
(*based on a 7+day rental)
Driving tip
Bergamo is the best-value
major location to hire a car in Italy throughout the year, so it makes perfect sense to grab
a bargain rental while in the area. Try Orio al Serio Airport for the best prices.
Tourist tip
Although Città Alta is a must-see, you’ll get far better
value accomodation in the Città Bassa. Take the funicular railway to the top of the city –
it’s a great part of the Bergamo experience!
Book your car hire now
Book by phone
+44 203 3186 960
Rome
Fast car hire facts
| Cheapest / most expensive month | Average cost per day of car hire* |
|---|---|
| February | £13.50 |
| July | £32.00 |
(*based on a 7+day rental)
What’s it famous for?
The Roman Empire has left its mark on the city
of Rome, and the food is also known across the world for
its quality.
Where to visit
As well as the main tourist drags, seek out the
quieter cobbled alleyways and you’ll see another side to the city.
Local tips
- Get to know the names of hotel staff. Forming simple friendships goes a long way in
Italy. - Seek out the drinking fountains and you won’t have to pay a penny for water.
- Many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month.
Other Italian destinations to visit
Sardinia
A large island off the West Coast
A beach lover’s
retreat, Sardinia has over 2,000km of coastline.
Venice
A famous canal-dominated romantic break
No matter
its popularity, Venice’s enchanting aura is everlasting.
Sicily
The largest Mediterranean island
The football to
Italy’s boot, Sicily is great for lovers of both sea and
land.
Verona
Situated in the north of Italy
Grand enough to be
the setting of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is a pretty and
historic city.