Car Rental in Bologna
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Bologna Airport Car Rental
Mini
Fiat Panda
or similar
$12.36
/ per day
Bologna Airport Car Rental
Compact
Citroen C3
or similar
$14.70
/ per day
Bologna Airport Car Rental
Economy
Fiat Panda
or similar
$17.39
/ per day
Bologna Airport Car Rental
Economy Elite
Audi A1
or similar
$20.71
/ per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Bologna Airport Car Rental
Mini Elite
Fiat Panda
or similar
$24.86
/ per day
Bologna Train Station Car Rental
Intermediate
Volkswagen T-Roc
or similar
$34.16
/ per day
Bologna Airport Car Rental
Standard
Jeep Compass
or similar
$45.07
/ per day
Bologna Funo Car Rental
Compact Elite Crossover
Jeep Renegade
or similar
$102.63
/ per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 16:01 on 2023-09-26. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
Italian
Currency
EUR
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+39
Average car rental price
$33.98 / per day
Average car rental length
7 days
Speed limit within town
50 - 70 km/h
31 - 43 mph
Speed limit out of town
90 - 130 km/h
56 - 81 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Average gasoline price
$2.00 per liter
Highest gasoline price
$2.32 per liter
Lowest gasoline price
$1.80 per liter
Why rent a car in Bologna?
Bologna is a great place to explore by car. The city is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and is located in the heart of northern Italy. It is a fascinating destination in its own right, and it’s in close proximity to many other interesting destinations.
One-Way Car Rentals in Bologna
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Bologna and drop off in another city include:
- From Bologna to Pisa - 296 offers from $19.10 per day
- From Bologna to Rome - 358 offers from $19.10 per day
- From Bologna to Milan - 270 offers from $20.80 per day
- From Bologna to Naples - 152 offers from $21.35 per day
- From Bologna to Venice - 167 offers from $19.10 per day
Top ways to enter Bologna
- Bologna Airport (BLQ): Seventh busiest in Italy, Bologna’s Airport is popular with both high-end airlines and low-cost carriers.
- Florence Airport (FLR): About an hour-and-a-half drive from Bologna, Florence Airport is served by low-cost airline Vueling, as well as many other airlines that connect it to destinations around Italy and Europe.
- Venice Airport (VCE): Less than a two-hour drive north, Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is another convenient place to fly to if your final destination is Bologna.
- By Train: If you’re arriving in Bologna by train, you can pick up a rental car at the Bologna Centrale train station.
City facts
- A city of culture and education, Bologna is home to University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world.
- Bologna has about 390,000 inhabitants, but a tad more than 1 million people live in its wider metropolitan area.
- The city is a foodie destination for Italians and visitors from abroad.
Top destinations and activities
- National Picture Gallery. Exhibiting the best of Venetian and Emilia-Romagna art, this gallery has world-famous works by Giotto, Raffaello, Parmigianino, and many others.
- The Bolognese Cuisine. Calling yourself the food capital is a mighty claim in Italy, but Bologna can back it up. Many Bolognese residents claim that leaving without trying their cured meats and cheeses, lasagna, and stuffed tortellini pasta amounts to a crime.
- Towers of Bologna. Many of the city’s original towers are no longer standing, but more than 20 remain, including the central Due Torri or Two Towers that are over 900 years old. You can climb the tallest of the two, the Asinelli Tower.
- San Petronio. The first stone of this basilica was laid in the 14th century, but it has remained unfinished to this day – that hasn’t stopped it from becoming one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Italy though. The church has a truly impressive collection of religious art, and a unique indoor sundial.
Traffic and parking
- The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h.
- Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h. During the rain the limits are respectively lowered to 110 km/h, 100 km/h, and 80 km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50 km/h during heavy fog or other cases of bad visibility.
- The speed limit on the Autostrada (toll road) is 130 km/h, reduced to 110 km/h if it’s raining. The speed limit on highways ranges from 90-110 km/h.
- The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
- If you’re the driver, you need to have your driver’s license and International Driving Permit (if required for you)passport or ID card with you at all times.
- The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers. Being over the allowed limit can result in hefty fines. and even imprisonment.
- The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.
- It’s easiest to park outside the city walls and walk or take public transport or a taxi into the historic center. Blue lines are pay parking.
- Be careful not to enter the ZTL (zona traffico limitato - limited traffic zone) if you don’t have permission.
Toll roads
There are numerous toll roads in Italy. The exact fee depends on the route of your choice and the type of a vehicle. See the official Italian toll road website for more information. Use the website’s toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.
Ideas for day trips
- Modena and Parma. Foodies will delight in two other culinary destinations in the Emilia-Romagna region, each with a beautiful historic center. Modena is home to balsamic vinegar, and can be reached from Bologna in less than an hour. Parma is home to parmigiano Reggiano cheese and prosciutto di Parma and can be reached from Bologna in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Ferrara. Another neighbor, Ferrara is about an hour’s drive to the northeast of Bologna. Yet to be discovered en masse by tourists, the city has anauthentic atmosphere and there are no crowds at its landmarks that include the stunning Este Castle, the ancient frescoes of Schifanoia Castle, and the rotunda of the Claudio Abbado Theater.
- Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, and Campigna Forest National Park. The region of Emilia-Romagna is one of the most urbanized parts of Italy but has found a place for this scenic nature preserve. Characterized by beech and oak woodlands, deep valleys, and ancient monasteries, it has all the right ingredients for an enjoyable day outdoors. The drive from Bologna takes about two hours.
Most popular cars
The most popular rental cars in Italy are the Fiat Panda, the Ford Fiesta, and the Fiat 500. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.
Further destinations
- Florence. As famous and interesting as Bologna is, Florence is a place every visitor should consider a side trip to. The wealth of culture, art, and history in the Renaissance capital will blow away even the most seasoned travelers. The drive from Bologna takes only about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- San Marino. One of the smallest countries on the planet, San Marino is completely surrounded by Italy. Reasons to visit include its picturesque fortresses, elevated landscape, and beautiful vineyards. Despite its small size, San Marino claims to be the oldest republic in the world. The drive from Bologna takes about two hours.
- Venice. A destination like no other, the floating city is another world-famous destination that’s within a two-hour drive of Bologna. Landmarks like Doge’s Palace and the St. Mark’s Basilica are not to be overlooked, but if you have time, make sure to also check out the surrounding islands that offer even more character and atmosphere than the busy center.
- Italian Car Museums. Racecar and Formula 1 fans should head into Italy’s ‘Motor Valley’ to see some of Italy’s car factories and museums, including those of Ferrari and Lamborghini, both less than an hour from Bologna.
Car Rental Prices in Bologna
- Station wagons - from $40 per day
- Large cars - from $29 per day
- Medium cars - from $13 per day
- Vans - from $136 per day
- Premium cars - from $131 per day
- Small cars - from $12 per day
- SUVs - from $16 per day
Money-saving tips
There are many things you can do to get a good rental deal in Bologna:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit during low seasons - outside of summer months and major holidays (like Easter, Ferragosto, Christmas).
- Explore pickup locations. A nearby town that’s reached easily by train may have a better rate.
- Don’t rent a car for time you’ll spend in cities. It will just sit in a parking lot or garage (and you’ll need to pay for parking!).
- Look into renting ‘open jaw’ - pick up your car in one destination and drop it off in another. While you will likely need to pay a supplement for your car rental, you’ll save money on gas and tolls and you’ll save precious vacation time!
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Bologna is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 60% cheaper than the yearly average.
Fact checked by
Candice Criscione
This article was reviewed and updated by Candice Criscione who has been helping travelers visit Italy since 2004. Her experience living, working (as a guide and professor), and traveling throughout the country gives her an insider’s perspective on bella Italia. She lives in Tuscany and spends her days helping people plan their dream vacations to Italy, cycling, and running after her three boys! You can find her online at Mom in Italy and The Tuscan Mom, on Facebook (Italy Travel Advice and Mom in Italy - Travel in Italy with Kids), and on Pinterest (Mom in Italy).
Top 20 Cities near Bologna
-
Modena Car Rentals from $58.50 per day33.3 km / 20.7 miles away
-
Forli Car Rentals from $54.69 per day72.8 km / 45.2 miles away
-
Florence Car Rentals from $19.12 per day80.9 km / 50.3 miles away
-
Parma Car Rentals from $48.42 per day83.0 km / 51.6 miles away
-
Lucca Car Rentals from $36.00 per day98.5 km / 61.2 miles away
-
Verona Car Rentals from $13.83 per day100.7 km / 62.6 miles away
-
Padua Car Rentals from $26.39 per day108.6 km / 67.5 miles away
-
Vicenza Car Rentals from $71.33 per day113.1 km / 70.3 miles away
-
Pisa Car Rentals from $11.60 per day118.7 km / 73.8 miles away
-
Rimini Car Rentals from $42.90 per day119.9 km / 74.5 miles away
-
La Spezia Car Rentals from $44.78 per day123.9 km / 77.0 miles away
-
Arezzo Car Rentals from $35.30 per day127.0 km / 78.9 miles away
-
Livorno Car Rentals from $36.00 per day134.4 km / 83.5 miles away
-
Siena Car Rentals from $35.30 per day136.3 km / 84.7 miles away
-
Venice Car Rentals from $12.75 per day136.4 km / 84.8 miles away
-
Brescia Car Rentals from $29.02 per day139.4 km / 86.6 miles away
-
Treviso Car Rentals from $24.17 per day142.7 km / 88.7 miles away
-
Pesaro Car Rentals from $31.85 per day145.7 km / 90.5 miles away
-
Lodi Car Rentals from $89.16 per day165.2 km / 102.7 miles away
-
Trento Car Rentals from $21.65 per day171.4 km / 106.5 miles away
Top 20 Locations near Bologna
-
Bologna Airport Car Rentals from $12.36 per day
-
Bologna Train Station Car Rentals from $18.73 per day5.5 km / 3.4 miles away
-
Florence Airport Car Rentals from $19.12 per day80.9 km / 50.3 miles away
-
Parma North Car Rentals from $113.74 per day81.9 km / 50.9 miles away
-
Downtown Car Rentals from $24.72 per day84.8 km / 52.7 miles away
-
Verona Airport Car Rentals from $16.62 per day100.7 km / 62.6 miles away
-
Pisa Airport Car Rentals from $11.60 per day118.7 km / 73.8 miles away
-
Rimini Airport Car Rentals from $48.90 per day119.9 km / 74.5 miles away
-
Venice Mestre Train Station Car Rentals from $35.09 per day128.9 km / 80.1 miles away
-
Livorno Port Car Rentals from $45.19 per day135.0 km / 83.9 miles away
-
Venice Airport Car Rentals from $12.75 per day136.4 km / 84.8 miles away
-
Treviso Airport Car Rentals from $24.17 per day142.7 km / 88.7 miles away
-
Bergamo Airport Car Rentals from $12.48 per day177.4 km / 110.2 miles away
-
Chiusi Train Station Car Rentals from $47.91 per day178.7 km / 111.0 miles away
-
Milan Linate Airport Car Rentals from $10.73 per day187.8 km / 116.7 miles away
-
Perugia Airport Car Rentals from $29.59 per day187.8 km / 116.7 miles away
-
Milan Viale Umbria Car Rentals from $71.87 per day192.4 km / 119.6 miles away
-
Ancona Airport Car Rentals from $21.32 per day194.6 km / 120.9 miles away
-
Downtown Car Rentals from $34.82 per day194.7 km / 121.0 miles away
-
Milan Duomo Car Rentals from $42.38 per day194.9 km / 121.1 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Bologna?
Car rental prices in Bologna vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Bologna
The cheapest month to rent a car in Bologna is February (when prices average $16.44 per day). This is 50% cheaper than the yearly average and 66% cheaper than renting in July (when prices average $48.68).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What’s the usual rental length in Bologna?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in August, the average renter keeps their car for 8 days, and in April, they keep their car for 6 days.
Average number of rental days in Bologna
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Bologna?
Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Bologna is July, and the least popular is November.
Monthly searches in Bologna by pick-up date relative to the average
Car Rental Information
| Car rental locations | 9 |
| Airport locations | 1 |
| Popular suppliers | RentalPlus, Drivalia, Noleggiare, Felirent, Sicily By Car |
| Popular car categories | Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Large cars |
| Lowest price | $12 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Felirent |
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RentalPlus | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| RentalPlus | Fiat Panda | 5 | 1 | Medium cars |
| Drivalia | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Goldcar | Fiat Panda | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Drivalia | Fiat 500L | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| RentSmart24 | Fiat 500 | 2 | 1 | Small cars |
| RentalPlus | Toyota Yaris | 5 | 1 | Medium cars |
| Drivalia | Jeep Renegade | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Felirent | Fiat Panda | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| RentalPlus | Fiat 500X | 5 | 3 | Medium cars |
Our Customers' Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
IB
Ukraine
Fiat 500
August 5, 2023
We took car to travel around Grosetto. Beaches and nature there are amazing! Without a car it’s not possible to taste different dinners in different places everyday, and also not possible to visit multiple beaches.
RC
Denmark
Fiat 500
July 18, 2023
Driving around Tuscany and Umbria
MA
United Arab Emirates
Fiat Panda
June 19, 2023
Recommended rental company
BZ
Poland
Citro?n C3
May 26, 2023
Siteviewing, riding around Italy
NG
Romania
Fiat 500L
May 22, 2023
Tuscany is great, car selection was great too for that landscape.
AS
United States of America (USA)
Fiat Panda
May 16, 2023
So happy we rented a car for our Italy trip. We explored the northern regions of Tuscany and all around Lake Garda. Having a small car was super important, lots of tiny roads and even more tiny parking spaces.
RG
United States of America (USA)
Opel Crossland X
April 21, 2023
Italy is a beautiful place, I just wish the weather had been better for our April trip.
YK
Israel
Fiat Panda
April 12, 2023
Dozza, San marino, and Ferrara were amazing. also San luca church and view point, and Fico
RR
Israel
Ford Fiesta
March 24, 2023
Very nices places to visit, great food, fteindly people.
MH
United Kingdom
Fiat Tipo
March 14, 2023
Location away from airport requiring shuttle bus is a nuisance.
IG
Turkey
Fiat 500
February 11, 2023
Bologna, Tuscany, very beautiful places.
AP
Greece
Fiat 500
January 7, 2023
We visited Tuscany. Very exciting trip. Siena, Firenze, Pisa,Lucca, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Monteriggioni, Chianti area in 6 days! Streets were good and the car was very easy to drive! Thanks!
TA
United States of America (USA)
Fiat Panda
December 4, 2022
not much to say
IF
Israel
Mercedes Vito
August 21, 2022
The car was exactly what I expected. There were no issues during the trip.
ZS
Romania
Toyota Aygo
June 20, 2022
we visited Mirabilandia Park in Ravenna, Safari Ravenna si MiniItalia in Rimini - we really loved the parks
MC
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Qashqai
December 21, 2021
Conveniently located, great communication
RH
Brazil
Kia Rio
February 16, 2020
Great places to visit around Bologna!
PH
United Kingdom
Seat Leon STW
August 23, 2019
Went to Siena. Roads direct and generally good surfaces although lanes narrower than used to
Car Rental Statistics
Highest rated company
Locauto
9.2 / 10
Lowest rated company
Surprice
6.9 / 10
Total number of reviews
45
Total rental companies
30
Average daily price
$33.98
Lowest daily price
$12.36
Total cars available
760
Top 30 Suppliers in Bologna in 2023
Felirent
1 location
$12 - $21
Locauto
2 locations
$19 - $291
RentalPlus
2 locations
$77 - $294
Enterprise
2 locations
$50 - $186
Alamo
2 locations
$19 - $186
Centauro
1 location
$19 - $41
SIXT
3 locations
$108 - $463
Hertz
5 locations
$84 - $190
Dollar
1 location
$98 - $142
Ecovia
4 locations
$20 - $302
Europcar
2 locations
$83 - $218
National
2 locations
$77 - $186
Optimo Rent
1 location
$17 - $65
Avis
2 locations
$94 - $213
Key'n Go
1 location
$40 - $56
NUCarrentals
1 location
Sicily By Car
2 locations
$117 - $213
Maggiore
4 locations
$76 - $165
Autovia
4 locations
$22 - $230
Italy Car Rent
1 location
$24 - $250
Keddy
1 location
$50 - $59
Thrifty
1 location
$201 - $241
Budget
2 locations
$81 - $178
Goldcar
1 location
$20 - $36
Target Rent
1 location
Drivalia
3 locations
$23 - $348
RentSmart24
1 location
$14 - $30
Noleggiare
2 locations
$109 - $1093
Interrent
1 location
Surprice
1 location
$17 - $28
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2022
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2022
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2022
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Highly recommended by our customers
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