Car Rental 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.

• From Italy to Sicily - 2,466 offers from $17.67 per day
• From Italy to Sardinia - 298 offers from $27.69 per day
• From Italy to Switzerland - 18 offers from $135.48 per day
• From Italy to Spain - 27 offers from $170.86 per day
• From Italy to France - 27 offers from $133.55 per day

• 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.

• Rome: Full of traces of its ancient grandeur, Rome is a lively  destination  overflowing with history, culture, and delicious cuisine..
• Venice: One of the most unique cities in Europe (and the world!), Venice is full of wonderful art and architecture, and also provides access to the wider Veneto region in the Italy’s northeast.
• Tuscany: From countless arts and culture monuments in Florence to vineyards and classic hilltop villages, Tuscany is the picture that many people have in mind when they think of Italy.
• Naples and Campania: Proud yet hospitable, Campania is a place of ancient sites and delectable cuisine, as well as beautiful Naples and Pompeii.
• Milan: Fashion and food are focuses in the bustline metropolis in northern Italy.  
• The Dolomites: Home to spectacular mountains and three different cultures, this area in northern Italy is popular for hikers in the summer, skiers in the winter, and photographers and foodies year-round.
• Emilia-Romagna: This gastronomic region (home to prociutto di Parma, balsamic vinegar from Modena, and Parmigiano Reggiano), is also known as Italy’s motor valley.  It hosts famous car makers, including Ferrari and Lamborghini.
• Puglia: Small coastal villages and gorgeous beaches steal the show on the ‘heel’ of Italy’s boot.
• Sicily and Sardinia: : Showing traces of their varied heritage and independent nature, these islands offer mountain villages, wild nature, and spectacular coasts of three different seas.

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

• 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.

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.

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

• 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.

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."

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!