Car Rental in Milan

Why rent a car in Milan?

Renting a car in Milan is a great idea. Having your own ride will let you explore this large city, as well as to travel to many other interesting destinations in Northern Italy.

Top ways to enter Milan

• Milan Malpensa Airport: The second-busiest in Italy, Malpensa Airport is about a 45-minute drive west of Milan city center, and offer some of the most stunning views right before the landing.
• Bergamo Airport: Located in the nearby town of Bergamo, this airport is an hour’s drive east of Milan and is favored by many low-cost carriers.
• Milan Linate Airport: The smallest of the three international airports in the Milan area, Linate is also the one that is the closest to the city center.
• By rail: If you’re arriving in Milan by train, you can conveniently pick up a rental car right at the Milan Central Railway Station.

City facts

• Milan Region is the most densely populated part of Italy. The Milan metropolitan area, also known as Grande Milano, has more than 8 million people living in it.
• Winters in Milan can be quite cold, with occasional snowfall. In summer, humidity levels are high and peak temperatures can reach temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F).

Top sights and activities

• Milan Cathedral. The Duomo is the most famous building of Milan and the heart of the city, located right next to countless other landmarks.
• The historic center. The Centro Storico area is right next to Duomo and is the reason why Milan gets its posh reputation as Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping arcade, Teatro Alla Scala opera house, as well as many restaurants, fashion boutiques, and art galleries are located there.
• Sempione Park. Milan has several beautiful parks and gardens, but Parco Sempione is perhaps the most famous one, both because it is the largest and because it houses the renaissance Sforza Castle and its museum with artworks by Da Vinci and Michelangelo.
• The Last Supper Painting. One of the best things to do in Milan is to see this famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci is a mural on the wall of the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Completed in 1498 after three years of work, it is Leonardo’s second-largest painting. It is located right across the street from Leonardo da Vinci’s Vineyard, where you can tour exhibits of his winemaking endeavors and wander through vines replanted in 15th-century patterns.
• Museums. Although perhaps not as famous as those of Rome or Florence, Milan is home to a large number of high-quality museums. Naturally, there’s a wide variety of art museums and galleries, not the least of which include the Diocesan Museum, the Sforza Palace Complex, and the Museum of Twentieth Century. Other notable ones include the Archaeological Museum, Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology, and Alfa Romeo Museum which is dedicated to the works of the famous Italian carmaker.

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 insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.

If you’re the driver, you need to have your 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.

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

For more about traveling around Italy with a rental car, check out our complete guide.

• Bergamo. Just 60 km (42 mi) from the city center, Milan’s smaller, but equally charming neighbor offers the walled Upper City, great restaurants, and countless museums and galleries.
• Turin. About 2 hours drive west of Milan, the capital of Piedmont Region and Italy’s fourth-largest city, Turin is sometimes considered Milan’s friendly rival. It offers stunning architecture, interesting history, and perhaps a tad more relaxed atmosphere.
• Lake Maggiore. The town of Arona, located on the southwest coast of this picturesque lake, is just a bit more than an hour’s drive away from Milan.
• Lecco. Located on the eastern bank of Lake Como, the little town of Lecco is famous not only for its scenic beauty, cable cars, and hiking trails, but also for landmarks like the stunning San Nicolò Basilica, towers, bridges, the Natural History Museum, and even a planetarium. Located some 55 km (37 miles) northeast of Milan, Lecco can be traveled to in one hour by car.
• Monza. Much more than just a satellite town, Monza is one of the most interesting places in the Grande Milano region. Fans of auto racing know it as the place where a Formula 1 GP takes place every year, but Monza is also home to the largest enclosed park in Europe and landmarks such as the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista and its well-preserved, pedestrian-only historical center. The drive from Milan takes between 30 and 50 minutes.
• Lake Como. Home to the rich and famous (many celebrities from both Italy and around the world live in the area), Lake Como is inarguably one of the poshest places in the country – but also one of the most popular day trips from Milan. Surrounded by the majestic Alpine scenery that rises in the north, the area is dotted with lovely beaches and cozy coastal villages. The drive from Milan takes just under two hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Italy is the Fiat Panda, but travelers also pick the Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500. The most often picked rental car types are economy, mini, and compact. 

Further destinations

• Switzerland. Closer to Milan than Rome and Venice, Switzerland is a great nearby destination full of dramatic mountain scenery and cozy little valley towns. Start in the Italian-speaking region of Ticino, then proceed to Geneva in the west or Davos and the many national parks in the east. Note that if you’re coming from Milan to Switzerland, you’ll have to cross a national border, so check with your car rental provider first to make sure they allow it.
• Côte d'Azur. France’s picturesque coastal stretch is just a four-hour drive southeast of Milan. Visit Mediterranean towns like Nice, Cannes, and Marseille, and make time for a short stop in Monaco, the affluent microstate that’ll be on the way. Note that if you’re coming from Milan to France, you’ll have to cross a national border, so check with your car rental provider first to make sure they allow it.
• Parma, Modena, and Bologna. The three cities of the Emilia-Romagna region are located next to the same national highway, and each make an equally interesting travel destination thanks to a unique history, architecture, and culinary traditions.
• Stelvio National Park. Shared between Lombardy and Südtirol, Stelvio is the largest national park in Italy. Located in the Alps on the border with Switzerland, the national park is made up of snow-capped peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and a network of hiking trails. You can also find a wide variety of local flora and fauna like the Alpine ibex, chamois, red deer, and western capercaillies. Located about 200 km (125 miles) from Milan, the national park takes some three hours to reach from Milan. There are many places to stay in and around the park so you don’t have to rush back to the city on the same day.

Car rental prices in Milan

• Convertibles - from $58 per day
• Small cars - from $3 per day
• Medium cars - from $8 per day
• Station wagons - from $14 per day
• Premium cars - from $17 per day
• Vans - from $31 per day
• SUVs - from $10 per day
• Large cars - from $14 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Below, you'll find reviews about traveling to Milan from customers who booked their rental car through us. Here's a summary of some of the most frequent tips they mentioned:

1. Highway Travel and Scenic Views:

   • Example: "Traveling on Italy highway with gorgeous view, felt amazing."

   • Tip: Take advantage of the scenic routes when traveling by car. Plan your routes to include some of the more picturesque highways for a more enjoyable trip.

2. Returning to Familiar Spots:

   • Example: "Returned to a regular spot in Italy. I'll go again."

   • Tip: If you've had a good experience in a particular place, it's worth revisiting. Familiarity can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

3. Scenic Beauty:

   • Example: "Beautiful landscape."

   • Tip: Italy is renowned for its landscapes. Ensure to include destinations known for their natural beauty.

4. Tourist Attractions:

   • Example: "Bellano on Lake Como, stunning. Firenze and Venezia."

   • Tip: Make sure to visit well-known tourist attractions like Lake Como, Florence, and Venice. These places are popular for a reason and often offer breathtaking views and cultural experiences.

and issues to watch out for:

1. High Fuel Costs:

   • Example: "Next time I would get a diesel - it got to be very expensive driving at 8 dollars a gallon of gas."

   • Tip: Consider renting a diesel car or a fuel-efficient vehicle to save on fuel costs.

2. Traffic and Tolls:

   • Example: "Driving south through the Autostrada del Sole is an amazing way to experience Italy. One must be aware of the high tolls and traffic times but besides that a sure pleasurable experience."

   • Tip: Plan your routes to account for toll roads and peak traffic times to avoid delays and extra costs.

3. Parking in Historic Areas:

   • Example: "Parking is a real challenge, especially in the walled cities like Montalcino, Siena, San Gimignano."

   • Tip: Pack light and be prepared to walk from parking areas outside historic centers. Research parking options in advance.

4. Permit Requirements:

   • Example: "Many towns require you to register your license number so you can legally drive in the area, it is good to know that and get the permit."

   • Tip: Check if you need permits to drive in certain areas and obtain them in advance to avoid fines.

5. Planning Parking:

   • Example: "Plan where to park. Milan, like a lot of European cities, towns & villages, were originally built for horses, carriages & mules. Not a lot of extra room to park."

   • Tip: Research and plan your parking spots ahead of time, especially in older areas with limited parking space.

These are the things you can do to get the best possible rental deal in Milan:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Milan is the cheapest in January when renting a car is about 45% cheaper than the yearly average and 68% cheaper than renting a car in June.