Car Rental Sicily
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 13:27 on 2019-11-19. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
Italian
Currency
EUR
Country code
39
Average car rental length
6 days
Economy car rental price
$40.06 / per day
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Speed limit out of town
70 - 90 km/h
43 - 56 mi/h
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in Sicily?
Sicily is a great place to explore by car. Rich in traditions and diverse in heritage, it offers everything from impressive historic sites and cities inhabited since ancient times to charming fishing villages and some of the most fascinating wild terrain in Europe. Getting a rental car is your best bet to see as much as you can.
Top ways to enter Sicily
- Palermo Airport: Formerly known as Punta Raisi, the airport is located some 35 km (22 mi) northwest of Palermo, the regional capital. The airport serves around 5 million passengers every year.
- Catania–Fontanarossa Airport: By far the busiest in Sicily, this airport serves nearly 10 million passengers every year. It is located just 4 km (2.4 km) southwest of the city proper and is connected to it by the A19 motorway.
- Trapani Airport: Its full title, Vincenzo Florio Airport Trapani–Birgi, is quite a mouthful, but flying to this small and cozy airport on the western edge of Sicily is another great way to reach the island.
- By sea: It is also possible to reach Sicily from the Italian mainland by ferry. One of the most popular routes takes off in Salerno, Campania, and ends in the Eastern Sicilian city of Messina, the travel taking up around eight hours. It is possible to bring your rental car on a ferry, but ask your car rental provider in advance if they permit it.
Top cities and places to visit
- Palermo. The Sicilian capital’s long and fascinating history can be seen in its many monuments, buildings, and museums. Palermo is also a great place to start exploring the island’s unrivalled cuisine.
- Syracuse. Once ruled by ancient Hellenes, Syracuse is still perhaps the most Greek-influenced city of Sicily and perhaps all of Italy. Visit Parco Archeologico and the 5th century B.C. theater where ancient plays are still performed every summer.
- Etna. The still active volcano that is set on a margin between the tectonic plates of Africa and Eurasia is arguably Sicily’s number one natural attraction. Go on a challenging hike to explore its rugged slopes, or, if you’re more into comfort, get in a cable car that will take you close to the summit.
- Messina Province. The Sicilian province that’s closest to mainland Italy is known for the port city of Messina, the charming hillside town Taormina and its Greek theater, as well as nature areas like Parco Fluviale dell’Alcantra and Parco dei Nebrodi that tempt travelers with their gorgeous mountains trails, caves, and waterfalls.
- Agrigento Province. Although perhaps not as famous and more subtle in its pleasures than some other parts of the island, Agrigento is the perfect place for a long and leisurely holiday thanks to its serene towns, ancient Greek temples, and pristine beaches.
- Trapani Province. The westernmost province of Sicily is known for its great hospitality and proud traditions. Do visit the picturesque town of Erice, the Selinunte Archeological Park, and charming islands like Pantelleria that are part of the province.
- Cefalù. Millions of tourists visit Cefalu every year for its gorgerous sunsit historic Cathedral and the remains of its ancient city.
Most popular rental car
The most popular rental car in Sicily is the Fiat Panda. Travelers also love the Lancia Ypsilon and the VW Golf.
Driver licence requirements
- Italy accepts all driver licenses issued in the European Union (EU).
- If your driver license is issued by a non-EU country, for it to be considered valid you’ll need an Italian visa. Another requirement is to have been in the EU for no more than six months at the time of the rental. If you’ve been in the EU longer, you’ll need a driver license issued by an EU country.
- If your driver license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official translation of your license into English or, preferably, Italian.
- You must carry your driver license, not its copy, with you at all times.
- You need to have had your driver license for at least one or two years, depending on the car provider’s requirements.
- There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.
Crossing Borders
The region of Sicily has no international borders. Mainland Italy is bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, as well as San Marino and the Vatican City, two enclaves inside it. Like Italy, 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 FAQ section.
Most popular types of rental car
The most popular rental car types in Sicily are mini, economy, and compact. Most highways are in decent shape, but if you plan to drive higher in the mountains, renting a more powerful vehicle might be a good idea.
Top driving routes
- Catania - Syracuse (65 km / 40 mi) Route E45 is the highway that takes you between these two spectacular Eastern Sicilian cities. The distance can be done in under an hour, so why not make a small detour to one of the many spectacular beaches you’ll be so close to?
- Messina - Palermo (230 km / 140 mi) If you’re arriving in Sicily from the Italian mainland, it’s quite likely that you’ll be driving this picturesque road along the Highway E90. If you’re not short on time, take a stop to enjoy the natural beauty in one of the nature reserves that’ll be on the way.
- Palermo - Catania (200 km / 125 mi) Routes E90 and A18 connect the island’s two largest cities, snaking through Sicily pristine inner landscapes. Stop at Parco Delle Madonie to enjoy a relaxing walk in an oak forest and to glance at some of Sicily’s highest peaks. If you’re traveling without any stops, however, the distance between the two cities can be done in two hours and thirty minutes.
Car Rental Prices
- Convertibles - from $27 per day
- Station wagons - from $76 per day
- Large cars - from $66 per day
- Medium cars - from $74 per day
- People Carriers / Vans - from $117 per day
- Small cars - from $49 per day
- SUVs - from $83 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
There are a number of things you can do to get a good car rental deal in Sicily:
- 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 Sicily is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 40% cheaper than the yearly average.
Top 10 Most Popular Cities in Sicily
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Car Rental in Catania from $16.17 per day
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Car Rental in Palermo from $29.79 per day
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Car Rental in Trapani from $52.05 per day
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Car Rental in Comiso from $45.33 per day
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Car Rental in Pantelleria from $16.56 per day
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Car Rental in Pozzallo from $38.08 per day
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Car Rental in Agrigento from $21.61 per day
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Car Rental in Messina from $33.77 per day
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Car Rental in Taormina from $50.26 per day
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Car Rental in Cefalu from $65.76 per day
Top 14 Most Popular Locations in Sicily
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Car Rental at Catania Fontanarossa Airport from $29.42 per day
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Car Rental at Palermo Airport from $29.79 per day
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Car Rental at Trapani Airport from $52.05 per day
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Car Rental at Comiso Airport from $45.33 per day
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Car Rental at Pantelleria Airport from $16.56 per day
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Car Rental at Catania, Downtown from $16.17 per day
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Car Rental at Pozzallo Port from $38.08 per day
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Car Rental at Palermo, Downtown from $33.77 per day
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Car Rental at Agrigento, Downtown from $21.61 per day
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Car Rental at Messina, Downtown from $33.77 per day
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Car Rental at Taormina, Downtown from $50.26 per day
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Car Rental at Cefalu, Downtown from $65.76 per day
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Car Rental at Capo d'Orlando Downtown from $13.87 per day
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Sicily?
The cost of renting a car in Sicily depends on the time of year. This graph compares price changes from month to month in order to find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Sicily
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in Sicily is March — prices start from $24.10 for an Economy class vehicle. This is 45% cheaper than the year’s average and 70% cheaper than renting a car in the month of November (when prices start at $81.67 for a Compact class). This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. The exact price for your trip will depend on the length of your rental and the number of days until your rental period begins. Just enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers.
What’s the average rental length in Sicily?
Average length differs from month to month. The longest rental periods are in January — an average of 12 days. The shortest are in July — an average of 6 days.
Average Rental Length in Sicily
What’s the most popular time for renting a car in Sicily?
Discover Cars users search a lot of locations daily. We gathered this information in order to analyze car rental popularity in Sicily. The most popular month is October, while the least popular is November.
Sicily Car Rental Popularity by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agent | Make / Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sicily By Car | Ford Fiesta | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Centauro | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Goldcar | Fiat Panda | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Car2Move | Citroen C1 | 2 | Small cars | |
| Optimo Rent | Toyota Aygo | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Target Rent | Fiat Panda | 2 | 1 | Small cars |
| JoyRent | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Centauro | Ford Fiesta | 4 | 3 | Small cars |
| GreenMotion | VW Polo | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Target Rent | Volkswagen Up | 3 | Small cars |
Our Customers Reviews
PM
United Kingdom
Peugeot 108
October 8, 2019
Not a great city to drive in - lots of traffic in narrow streets, closed off streets creating one-way roads, very limited parking and generally 'loose' driving styles. If you're comfortable with busy city driving and parking in tight spots, go for it. Get a small car.
JA
United States of America (USA)
Opel Crossland X
October 7, 2019
Rome is too crazy to drive in.
ME
Israel
Renault Clio
October 5, 2019
Планируйте заранее путешествия
PS
United Kingdom
Renault Clio
October 2, 2019
Renting a car opens up many more beaches and the roads are quite spectacular to drive through, tunnels, bridges and coastal roads.
CG
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
September 27, 2019
Must have if you want to visit the region.
RC
Canada
Fiat Tipo
September 19, 2019
I rented a car in Rome, FCO airport and drove to Florence and surrounding country side. Italy is a beautiful country to drive through, drivers are courteous, roads are well marked. The whole driving experience was great. Just keep an eye open for the scooters, they tend to pass on all sides in the city.
RD
United States of America (USA)
Opel Crossland X
September 19, 2019
Renting a car to get around Italy was easy. Many suggest public transportation but we found the road easy to drive and the flexibility of having a car was well worth it.
JW
United Kingdom
VW Golf
September 13, 2019
We travelled from Verona station initially to the Friuli region and then the Trento region and enjoyed visiting both areas. We have travelled quite extensively by car in Italy and found the likelihood of incurring speeding fines and possibly traffic fines, high as there are so many speed cameras. Consequently, we used cruise control quite often to try keep our speed within the 30/50Km speed limits which are so commonly seen.
GA
Portugal
Fiat 500
September 12, 2019
It was easy to rent a car in Olbia and to drive around in the island. I would recommend taking dated pictures of the car before you drive away with it, especially of any damage both identified and not identified in the car rental documentation.
WA
United Kingdom
Ford Focus STW
September 11, 2019
Although I didnt drive in Milan or the city of Como but found the main roads ( not the very narrow Moltrasio roads) easy to drive on and nowhere as busy as in the UK
PC
United Kingdom
Hyundai i20
September 7, 2019
Brindisi airport is small but efficient. The Salento area is unspoilt and beautiful.
GG
United Kingdom
VW Passat Variant
August 13, 2019
Brindisi is a small airport so it is easy to find the hire car companies.
MC
United Kingdom
Seat Leon STW
July 25, 2019
Tuscany is a beautiful place full of towns and cities to explore as well as countryside and panoramic views. The roads are pretty good and motorways link most major towns. The signage is not always easy to comprehend , so google maps is very useful. Be aware of signage with times when some city/town central areas do not allow cars to be driven
JD
United Kingdom
Opel Astra Stationwagon
July 22, 2019
If travelling for a day trip to Venice there is a large Tronchetta car park and water bus that takes you up to the Doge's palace. Definitely worth visiting some of the less known towns around the area as well as driving to Padua for a day
SV
Ukraine
Renault Clio
July 18, 2019
Hard to find parking place in center, but possible.
Need to avoid ZTL zones - interactive map in Google Maps
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&mid=1MPzQVuqpzQmCrEYXkBTlnoZAs1g&ll=41.89732582650186%2C12.485918999999967&z=15
JC
Belgium
Ford Focus
July 17, 2019
We loved riding the Amalfi Coast from Naples. Sorrente, Positano, Praiono, Amalfi, .... You have to choose a small car because the roads are narrow in some places.
IV
Czech Republic
Fiat Panda
July 10, 2019
I vas very happy with the car rental.
MD
Netherlands
Renault Clio
July 8, 2019
Better to rent in Mestre than on the island
LY
United States of America (USA)
BMW Serie 3 Aut.
June 14, 2019
Italy was beautiful BUT driving in Italy isn't for the faint at heart. The drivers there are TERRIBLE!
HM
United Kingdom
Citroen C1 2d
April 28, 2019
Italians are aggressive and dangerous drivers - compared to the UK, it's so easy to have an accident. So be very careful and slow. Get the smallest car you can, very tight roads. Need to be confident driver but best way to travel if you have a rental car
Top 20 Suppliers for Sicily in 2019
Enterprise
Ciao Rent Car
Locauto
Target Rent
Italy Car Rent
Centauro
Sicily By Car
Alamo
SIXT
Europcar
SKARENT
Keddy
JoyRent
Welcome Cars
Ecovia
GreenMotion
Firefly
Interrent
ACARENT
Car2Move
Highly recommended by our customers
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