Car Rental in Italy

Why rent a car in Italy?

Italy is an excellent destination to explore by car. It is home to vibrant cities, world-famous landmarks, distinct regions, and natural beauty. Having your own car in Italy gives you the flexibility and freedom to explore outside of Italy’s major cities.  You can visit ancient ruins, sample wine at vineyards, stay in agriturismi (working farms), swim in crystal clear water at the beach in Puglia, or road trip through the Dolomite mountains up north.  

This article is about Mainland Italy. For information about Sicily, see the article about Sicily. For information about Sardinia, see the article about Sardinia.

If you want to know more about renting a car in Italy, don't miss our complete guide.

Top ways to enter Italy

• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP): Located northwest of the  Northern Italian city of Milan, Malpensa Airport is served by more than 75 airlines offering flights to and from destinations all over the world. Other airports in the Milan area include Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) and Milan Linate Airport (LIN).
• Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO): Also known as Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, Rome-Fiumicino is the busiest airport in the country. The other airport in the Rome area, Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA), serves mainly budget airlines, to both domestic and international destinations.
• Naples Airport (NAP): Serving the multi-million person metropolis of Southern Italy, Naples Airport (also know as Capodichino Airport) has flights by more than 30 airlines, including low-cost carriers like Volotea, easyJet, and Ryanair.
• Venice Airport (VCE): Serving not just the famous floating city, but the larger Northeastern Italian region, Venice Marco Polo Airport is  named after the famous traveler who hailed from the city.
• Bologna Airport (BLQ): Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport is one of the most popular access points for the Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions.
• Overland: If your rental car provider permits, it’s possible to rent a car in a neighboring country and to then drive to Italy. Some large international airports near Italy are Nice Airport in France, Zurich Airport in Switzerland, and Ljubljana Airport in Slovenia.

Top cities and places to visit

• Rome. Known for its extremely rich heritage and countless world-famous sites and landmarks, Rome remains one of the most interesting metropolises on the planet. Of equal importance to a traveler is its role as a hub of contemporary culture, entertainment, and delicious cuisine. Some of its most famous attractions can get a bit crowded, but that is where a rental car comes in handy, providing you with an escape to the nature areas and beaches of the wider Lazio region.
• Naples. As known for the largest historical center in Europe as it is as a birthplace of pizza, Naples is to be enjoyed with all five senses – and that is even before the famous ancient sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum are considered. Should you ever get overwhelmed by the city’s unstoppable energy, Naples is also just a short trip away from some of the most idyllic beaches in Italy, best embodied (but certainly not limited to) the glamorous island of Capri. 
• Milan. One to split opinion, the second city of Italy – and the largest in its wealthy northern region – Milan is seen as a hub of fashion and sophistication by some and as a hectic urban jungle by others. What cannot be denied is that the city provides a stunning cultural experience, both in terms of famous landmarks like Duomo, or its timeless cathedral, and more contemporary expressions.

Most popular rental car

Travelers most often choose the Fiat Panda, while the Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500 are also popular.

Driver's license requirements

• Italy recognises EU drivers licenses.
• Drivers from non-EU countries may use their home country licenses accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP) or official translation.  You must obtain your IDP in your home country.  
• After 1 year of being an Italian resident, you must obtain an Italian driver’s license, which includes a written and practical exam.  Some countries have a reciprocal agreement (in which case you can get your Italian driver’s license without taking the written and practical exams).
• You must have your drivers license (and IDP, if required) with you at all times.
• Rental companies require drivers to be between 25 and 65 years of age, but some companies will allow younger or older drivers, often with a supplementary fee.  In some cases, you may rent a car at age 19 or 20, but only a specific type of car (small).  Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 (again, paying a supplement).  
• Car rental agencies in Italy require you to have had your driver’s license for at least one year before the rental.
• Always check the rental contract terms and conditions for specific age and driver’s license requirements.

Crossing borders

Italy is bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, as well as San Marino and the Vatican City, two enclaves inside it. Like Italy, the countries of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia are all members of the Schengen Area, meaning that three entry requirements for these four countries are the same as for Italy. The microstates of San Marino and Vatican City are not members of the Schengen Area, but their entry requirements are the same as those for Italy.

Some car rental providers allow you to cross national borders and even drop off your car in a different country, while others don’t. If you’d like to cross a national border during your rental period, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border rentals in our Help Center.

Most popular types of rental car

The most popular rental car type in Mainland Italy is an Economy, followed by Mini and Compact.

Top driving routes

• Rome - Florence (271 km / 168 mi) The drive from the Italian capital into the heart of Tuscany will take you through some of the most picturesque Italian countryside, especially if you set aside time for detours through villages.
• Milan - Venice (266 km / 165 mi) Milan might be near the Alps, but in just three hours you can reach Venice on the Adriatic Coast
• Tuscany (mileage varies) - Explore Chianti wine country, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Val d’Orcia and its picturesque villages (like Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano), and relax in some of Italy’s best thermal baths.
• Bolzano - Cortina d’Ampezzo (140 km / 87 mi) - Set your eyes on some of Italy’s most spectacular scenery on the ‘Great Dolomites Road,’ in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Dolomite mountains.
• Naples - Bari (257 km / 160 mi) - Make your way from the home of Italian pizza and presepi (Italian nativity scenes) to Bari, a gateway to Puglia and its incredible beaches, trulli, and fresh seafood.
• Sicily (mileage varies) - Head out of the big cities (Catania and Palermo) and explore the island’s countryside, Val di Noto baroque villages, castles, ancient Greek and Roman ruins, and delectable citrus fruits.

Car rental prices in Italy

• Small cars - from $12 per day
• Medium cars - from $17 per day
• SUVs - from $11 per day
• Station wagons - from $25 per day
• Large cars - from $18 per day
• Vans - from $57 per day
• Premium cars - from $36 per day
• Convertibles - from $88 per day

Money-saving tips

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Italy:

• 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 easily reached 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 at one destination and drop it off at 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!

Insights from traveler reviews

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

• Explore Scenic Locations (mentioned 67 times):

  • Many travelers highlight the beauty of scenic locations like the Tuscan countryside and Lake Como: "We loved driving around the Tuscan countryside" and "Beautiful lake of Como."

• Weather Conditions (mentioned 11 times):

  • Weather can impact travel plans, particularly driving conditions: "Just a bit of slippery road with thin ice that made driving tricky."

• Crowds in Popular Destinations (mentioned 7 times):

  • Popular tourist destinations can be very crowded, which can affect the experience: "Way too many on this 2 week trip."

• Engage in Local Activities (mentioned 1 time):

  • Participating in local events, such as football games, can enhance the experience: "I visited the game Milan vs Roma at San Siro stadium."