Car Rental in Catania

Why rent a car in Catania?

Catania is a good place to visit by car. There’s plenty to explore in all parts of the city, and having your own ride will also let you to visit nearby villages, beaches, and other interesting sites.

Taking a rental car to the mainland: Most hire companies at Catania Airport allow their cars to be taken between Sicily and mainland Italy. Usually, travelers make this a one-way trip (that is, not returning to Siciliy or not returning to the mainland). There is an additional fee for this, though it is not large percentage-wise if hiring a car for a week or

Top ways to enter Catania

• Catania Airport: Located just 4.3 km (2.6 mi) from the city center, Catania Airport serves nearly 10 million passengers every year.
• Comiso Airport: The small and cozy Comiso Airport is located about 85 km (53 mi) from Catania and provides connections with both domestic destinations and countries like Malta, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany.

City facts

• Catania enjoys extremely hot summers, with temperatures often exceeding 30 °C (86 °F). Winters are mild and see significantly more precipitation than summers.
• Catania is famous for its cuisine, and many iconic Italian dishes like Pasta alla Norma originate in the city.

Top sights and activities

• The city center. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Catania’s center has some of the most impressive baroque architecture in the whole Italy. Important sites like Piazza del Duomo square with its Elephant Fountain and Sant’Agata Cathedral that houses Diocesan Museum.
• Roman Theater. First made by Greeks, then rebuilt by Romans, the theater and the neighboring Odeon are reminders of the civilizations that once populated Catania.
• Via Etnea. This avenue, often called Las Ramblas of Catania after its famous Barcelona counterpart, is the most active part of the city, thanks to its central location, many attractions, and beautiful architecture.
• Castello Ursino. Dating back to the 13th century, the monumental ‘Bear Castle’ is among the most impressive in all of Sicily. Built for the use of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, it changed hands several times during the upcoming centuries, playing a central role in the rebellion known as the Sicilian Vespers. Nowadays, the palatial complex also provides a home to ancient art like the 2nd century Hercules in lionskin.

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 two toll roads on Sicily — the A18 between Catania and Messina and the A20 between Palermo and Messina. The A19 between Palermo and Catania is not tolled. 

The toll gates accept credit cards, cash, and Telepass. Most rental companies in Siciliy do not provide Telepass transponders with their cars. Keep in mind that you cannot use your own Telepass unless the license plate of the car is registered to it — contact Telepass to see if you can do this or not. In any case, you can always pay for the tolls in cash or with a credit card. 

Ideas for day trips

• Mount Etna. With its solid lava rivers and dramatic views of the city below, the famous volcano is fascinating place to explore. Do keep in mind that its summit is more than 3000 m (9840 ft) above sea level, therefore it’s always cold there. The mountain’s northern side, Etna Nord, cannot be reached by public transportation, so you’ll need your own rental car.
• The Riviera dei Ciclopi. North of Catania, the Cyclops Riviera is made up of three neighboring villages that are as rich in legends and cliff-top castles as they are in atmosphere. Although steeped in history, the riviera’s coastal location means that nowadays it is also a popular beach holiday hub. The drive from Catania takes only about 25 minutes.
• Ragusa. The inland city of Ragusa is best known for its beautiful Baroque architecture – together with neighboring Modica, as well as five other towns, they have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ragusa is 105 km (65 miles) southwest of Catania and can be reached in about 90 minutes; a visit to the city can be combined with a trip to the Hyblaean Mountains that will be on the way.
• Messina. Located near the northeastern tip of Sicily and facing Calabria and the Italian mainland, Messina is a proud port city and an underrated travel destination. Having suffered a lot in the 20th century, first in the 1908 earthquake, then during the Second World War, the city has bounced back and is notable for its landmarks like the Orion Fountain, gothic 12th century Messina Cathedral, and beautiful palazzos. The drive from Catania takes only about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Italy is the Fiat Panda, although travelers also tend to pick the Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500 a lot. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.

Further destinations

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

• Palermo. Sicily’s capital, Palermo is famous for its palaces and castles, some of which date back more than two millennia. Make sure to check out the Anti-Mafia Museum and try local wines and pastries. The drive from Catania to Palermo takes about three hours, or slightly longer if you wish to make a detour to the scenic coastal city of Cefalu that’s also on the north coast.
• Madonie Regional Park. Also located near the northern coast, Madonie is one of the most beautiful, but also most overlooked parts of Sicily. The primordial inland landscape is characterized by high peaks, long valleys, and ancient churches and monasteries. A car trip takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Catania or 1 hour and 45 minutes from Palermo.
• Syracuse. A city and a province, Syracuse is Catania’s neighbor to the south. The architecture retains a vital Hellenic element, providing a glimpse into the life of some of the earliest civilizations of Sicily – make sure to visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis if you find this interesting. Other points of interest include the ancient Jewish baths of Mikveh and, naturally, beaches. The drive from Catania to the city of Syracuse takes about one hour.
• Cefalù. Located at about the center of Sicily’s northern coast, Cefalù is one of the most beautiful cities on the island. With its foundation dating back to the classical period, the city is known for many things – its colorful and diverse architecture of various eras, with many of the most beautiful buildings facing its waterfront, the dramatic Cefalù rock and the castle on top of it, and the bucolic nature of the region that includes not just the coast but also inland portions. The drive from Catania, taking you through the interior of the island, can be done in about two hours.

Car rental prices in Catania

• Small cars - from $16 per day
• Medium cars - from $19 per day
• SUVs - from $20 per day
• Station wagons - from $27 per day
• Large cars - from $26 per day
• Vans - from $57 per day
• Premium cars - from $70 per day
• Convertibles - from $44 per day

Money-saving and other tips

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

1. Exploring Scenic Routes:

   • Example Quote: "Fabulous drive from Agrigento to Palermo. Stunning views!"

   • Tip: Plan scenic drives, such as the route from Agrigento to Palermo, for breathtaking views.

2. Visiting Nature and Historical Sites:

   • Example Quote: "We were impressed by the old Sicily cities and the beautiful nature."

   • Tip: Allocate time to visit both historical cities and natural spots for a well-rounded trip.

3. Enjoying Local Attractions:

   • Example Quote: "Etna mountain and coasts were amazing."

   • Tip: Make sure to visit Mount Etna and the coastal areas for unique experiences.

and issues to look out for:

1. Driving Difficulties:

• Example Quote: "It’s hard to drive Sicily, the roads are narrow and often confusing."

• Issue: Be prepared for challenging driving conditions, including narrow and confusing roads.

2. High Costs:

• Example Quote: "For this overall price, there are plenty better destinations in Europe."

• Issue: Some travelers find the overall cost of travel in Sicily to be high compared to other European destinations.

3. Quality of Beaches:

• Example Quote: "The beach at Marina di Ragusa was nicer than I expected."

• Issue: While some beaches are highly praised, expectations may vary, so research and choose your beach destinations carefully.

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

• 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 Catania is the cheapest in January when renting a car is about 57% cheaper than the yearly average.
• Check out our list of the best rental companies in Catania.