Car Rental in Naples

Why rent a car in Naples?

Naples is a great place to visit by car. Having your own ride will not only let you explore this surprisingly large city, but also travel to nearby Pompeii, beaches, and further destinations.

Top ways to enter Naples

• Naples Airport: Popular with airlines like Ryanair, Volotea, easyJet, and many others, Naples Airport is well-connected to many destinations in Europe, as well as North Africa and the Middle East. 
• Rome Fiumicino Airport: Named after Leonardo Da Vinci and busiest in Italy, Rome Fiumicino Airport serves flights to destinations in all continents of the world. From here, Naples is just 225 km (140 mi) away. 
• Rome Ciampino Airport: The smaller of the two Rome airports, Ciampino is connected to many destinations both in Western and Eastern Europe.
• The port of Naples. One of the largest Italian seaports is an entry point for travelers from the Amalfi Coast, the islands in the Gulf of Naples, the Aeolian Islands, the Pontine Islands, Sardinia, and Sicily.

City facts

First settled by Greeks more than 3000 years ago and modern capital of Campania Region, Naples has a metropolitan population of more than 3,000,000 people. 

Naples is warm and more humid than many other Mediterranean coastal cities. Winters are mild, while summer temperatures often exceed 30 °C (86 °F).

Pizza was invented in Naples, so it's no surprise that the must-try in the land of pizza is the Neapolitan-style pizza. Gino Sorbillo and L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele are the top places in town. Some onther local specialties you should try are:

• Fried pizza -  It looks nothing like pizza, but it's filled with creamy ricotta cheese, meat, and spices, so it tastes a lot like pizza.  
• Pasta alla Genovese - Don't let the name confuses you. This pasta is as Neapolitan as the pizza. Its sauce consists of delicious stewed meat and onions taken truly to the next level.
• Buffalo mozzarella - easy to find all around the world but truly incredible in Naples. Here it's considered good only if made on the same day.
• Neapolitan coffee - strong, tick, and addictive. Coffee is amazing everywhere

Top sights and activities

• San Francesco di Paola. One of the most famous churches of Naples, the Royal Palace is located in Piazza del Plebiscito, the city’s main square and beating heart. Although significantly younger than many other houses of prayer in Naples – it was only consecrated in the mid-19th century – this basilica is known for its unique shape that some say resembles the Pantheon of Rome.
• Royal Palace. Built for Bourbon Kings during their rule of the Kingdom of Naples in the 17th Century, Palazzo Reale is another important historical landmark. Known for its impressive facade, as well as the opulent interior that includes many statues of its former royal rulers, the palace is an example of a mixture of Baroque and Neoclassical architectural styles.
• Cuisine. Not only the birthplace but arguably the world capital of pizza, Naples has endless varieties of it that you won’t find anywhere. Crucially, though, the city is equally as famous for its locally obtained and produced seafood, cheese, and wine; many tour guides claim it is a crime to leave the city without trying local specialties like Polpo alla lucìana (an octopus cooked in a terracotta pan with tomatoes, garlic, and black olives) and the Neapolitan ragù. 
• National Archaeological Museum. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, Naples has seen the rise and fall of many classical civilizations. Visiting sites like Pompeii is a special experience, but the place to get the most comprehensive insight into the city’s fascinating past is no doubt the Museo Archeologico. Located in a beautiful 16th-century building, the museum has thousands of unique artifacts.
• The historic center of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site encapsulating 2700 years of history. The most notable streets are Spaccanapoli Road, Via dei Tribunali, and Via San Gregorio Armeno.

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

• Pompeii. The ancient city that was ruined by nearby Mt. Vesuvius looks practically the same as it did 2000 years ago, and is the one place where you can truly see how the Romans lived.
• Amalfi Coast. Picturesque and relaxed, the Amalfi Coast is often considered one of the top destinations in Italy (and indeed, Europe). It is only a tad more than an hour’s drive from Naples, so it is even possible to live in the city and come visit here every day.
• Capri. Located in the Bay of Naples, the famous island is just 5 km (3.1 mi) from the mainland. Easily reached, it is admired not only for its beaches and nature, but also its impressive history.
• Herculaneum. Located about halfway between the center of Naples and Pompeii, is the Herculaneum, a classical Roman city that was destroyed in the same 79 AD volcanic eruption as its more famous neighbor. The ancient ruins, baths, and temples are fascinating to explore. Make sure to not miss out on fascinating works of art like the Mosaic of Neptune and Amphitrite, either.
• Vesuvius. The infamous volcano is responsible for the most catastrophic eruption in human history and is still the only active volcano in mainland Europe. It's a relatively easy 1km climb since you can reach almost the top via car.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental cars in Italy are the Fiat Panda, the Ford Fiesta, and the Fiat 500. The most often picked rental car types are economy, mini, and compact. 

Further destinations

• Rome. The Eternal City has something for every traveler, from history lovers to art aesthetes and food enthusiasts. If you’re in Naples, it would be a shame not go to and see it as you’re less than three hours drive away.
• Calabria and Apulia. Even more rugged and wild than Naples and Campania, these two Italian regions should be explored at a slower pace, setting aside time to meet the hospitable locals and learn about the region’s history and traditions.
• Sicily. Easily reached, the Italy’s largest island is just around six hours drive away. Its old cities, spectacular beaches, and traces of varied history will easily convince you that such a trip is worthwhile.
• Abruzzo. Sometimes overlooked for its more famous neighbors, the region of Abruzzo can be a lovely off-the-beaten-track destination to explore, especially if you’ve got your own transport. Best-known for its long and rugged Adriatic beaches, the region is also home to the bucolic countryside, ancient mountaintop towns, and no less than four national parks. The drive from Naples to L’Aquila, the capital of Abruzzo, takes only about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Florence. The city of Michelangelo and the Medici is a renaissance town frozen in time. Just a 5 hours drive from Naples, it's a great way to continue your Italian adventure.

Car rental prices in Naples

• Convertibles - from $54 per day
• Small cars - from $7 per day
• Medium cars - from $5 per day
• Station wagons - from $20 per day
• SUVs - from $7 per day
• Large cars - from $10 per day
• Vans - from $18 per day
• Premium cars - from $90 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are things you can do to get a good rental deal in Naples:

• 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 Naples is the cheapest in January when renting a car is an incredible 75% cheaper than the yearly average.