Car Rental in Comiso

Why rent a car in Comiso?

The province of Ragusa is an enchanting place to visit. The area is home to the city of Ragusa, attractive small towns like Scicli and Modica, and a great number of historical and natural attractions. The rest of Sicily with its beautiful beaches, cities like Palermo and Catania, and the famous Mount Etna are within your reach with a rental car.

Top ways to enter Comiso

• Comiso Airport (CIY): Also known as Vincenzo Magliocco Airport and Comiso-Pio La Torre Airport, it is the main airport serving the Province of Ragusa. In addition to a number of domestic flights, it also hosts flights to and from Germany, Belgium, and nearby Malta. The airport is located 10 km (6.2 miles) north of Comiso and 27 km (16.7 miles) northwest of Ragusa.
• Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA): Also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, it the busiest airport on the island of Sicily. The airport is a focus city for ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia), Mistral Air, and Ryanair, and is served by a number of other airlines. The airport is 100 km (62 miles) northeast of Ragusa and can be reached in about 1 hour and 25 minutes.
• Palermo Airport (PMO): Serving the capital city of Sicily, Falcone Borsellino-Palermo hosts more than 20 different airlines, although some only offer flights seasonally. Located 280 km (174 miles) northwest of Ragusa, Palermo Airport can be reached in 3 hours and 40 minutes.
• Trapani Airport (TPS): Also known by its full name, Vincenzo Florio Airport Trapani–Birgi is served by the low-cost carrier Ryanair as well as four other airlines. Trapani Airport is 360 km (223 miles) northwest of Ragusa and can be reached in about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
• By Sea: If arriving in the province of Ragusa by ferry, you can pick up your rental car  in the town of Pozzallo, which is 35 km (22 miles) southeast of Ragusa and can be reached in about 40 minutes.

City facts

• Like the rest of Sicily, the Province of Ragusa has a typically Mediterranean climate with very hot summers and mild winters. The average high temperature is 32°C (90°F) in August, the hottest month, and 16°C (61°F) in January, the coldest. The summers are extremely dry, with practically no precipitation from June to August, but there’s a significant increase from October to mid-February.
• Inhabited since antiquity, the Province of Ragusa has been home to many different civilizations like the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, and Norman Vikings. The city of Ragusa and most Val di Noto towns were devastated by a strong earthquake in the late 17th century, but many sites of these earlier cultures survive in the smaller towns and now-abandoned settlements of the province. 
• The city and the province of Ragusa should not be confused with the Republic of Ragusa, a maritime city-state that was once the name of Dubrovnik, a coastal town in modern Croatia that is also a popular travel destination. 
• The inhabitants of Ragusa are known as ragusani.

Top sights and activities

• Ragusa. Sitting spectacularly on a hill between two valleys, Ragusa is one of the eight Sicilian cities of Val di Noto, a region that has the UNESCO World Heritage designation. Made up of the lower (and older) townn and the upper, more modern part of town, Ragusa is famous for its stunning Baroque and Gothic-Catalan architecture. Exploring the city involves a lot of climbing as the streets are very steep and many are not accessible by car, but the beauty of the place makes it worth it.
• Modica.  Home to Sicily’s best chocolate, Modica is an essential stop for anyone with a sweet tooth.  The narrow, characteristic streets and memorable churches round out a visit.
• Comiso. A little, tranquil town to the northwest of Ragusa, Comiso has its fair share of attractions. These include the nearly 2000-year-old Roman hot springs, the San Francesco dell’Immacolata church, and even a large Buddhist pagoda. Just 18 km (11 miles) from Ragusa, Comiso can be reached in about 25 minutes.
• Kamarina. Settled more than 2600 years ago by Corinthian Greeks, Kamarina was one of the first cities in Sicily. It suffered heavily during a number of invasions and was eventually abandoned, but the remains of the ancient settlement can still be seen at the Kamarina Archaeological Park. Located some 32 km (19 miles) west of Ragusa and reached in about 35 minutes, Kamarina is well worth a visit.

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. 
• The speed limit on the Autostrada (toll road) is 130 km/h, reduced to 110 km/h if it’s raining.  The speed limit on highways ranges from 90-110 km/h.  
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your driver’s license and International Driving Permit (if required for you) 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. 
• The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.
• It’s easiest to park outside the city walls and walk or take public transport or a taxi into the historic center.  Blue lines are pay parking.
• Be careful not to enter the ZTL (zona traffico limitato - limited traffic zone) if you don’t have permission.

Toll roads

There are numerous toll roads in Italy, including a few in Sicily: A20 between Messina and Palermo, A18 between Messina and Catania, and a new Autostrada route between Catania and Ragusa (although the toll booths were not yet active at the beginning of 2023). 

The toll fee depends on the route of your choice and the type of 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

• Beaches. A visit to Sicily is not complete without enjoying its long, beautiful beaches, and luckily there are plenty of them just a short ride from Ragusa. The nearby Marina da Ragusa (24 km / 15 mi from Ragusa) is a popular coastal town, but travelers also love the blue flag beaches in Pozzallo, the picturesque Punta Secca, and family-friendlySampieri.
• Agrigento. The capital of a neighboring province, Agrigento is best known for its Valley of Temples. Five classical Doric Greek places of worship are located in this town, each of them unique and all in relatively good condition. There is also an archaeological museum and the remains of the ancient city of Akragas is nearby. Agrigento is 132 km (82 miles) northwest of Ragusa and can be reached in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Comiso is the Peugeot 308, although many travelers also go for the Opel Crossland X and the Fiat Panda. The most popular rental car types are compact, economy, and intermediate.

Further destinations

• Syracuse. Nowadays Syracuse is a cozy mid-sized city on the eastern coast of Sicily, but 2,500 years ago it rivaled Athens for wealth and beauty. An absolute wealth of landmarks has survived (albeit some only as ruins), such as the Temple of Apollo, the Font of Arethusa, and a number of amphitheaters. Other attractions, like the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Santa Lucia alla Badia Church, are slightly younger, but just as impressive. The lively market and dreamy Piazza del Duomo are highlights of the city’s island of Ortigia.  Located just 90 km (54 miles) east of Ragusa, Syracuse can be reached in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Catania. Less historic and more industrial than many other Sicilian cities, Catania nonetheless has its fair share of attractions, like the Cathedral Square and Ursino Castle. The number one attraction of Catania, however, is undoubtedly Mount Etna, towering to the north of the city.  The largest volcano in Europe, Etna, which is still active, has absolutely stunning landscapes, and, of course, offers amazing views of the rest of the island. The higher parts of the mountain can only be accessed with a guide. Catania is 105 km (65 miles) northeast of Ragusa and can be reached in 90 minutes by car.
• Madonie Regional National Park. Located in the north-central part of Sicily, this national park is one of the most beautiful protected areas on the island. Made up of a number of high mountains, it is also home to woodlands of various types, unique fauna, and cozy little villages scattered across its valleys. Located 190 km (118 miles) north of Ragusa, the national park can be reached in about three hours.
• Palermo. It would be no exaggeration to say that the capital of Sicily is one of the most impressive cities in all of Italy. Previously home to Phoenicians, Arabs, and Normans, all of whom left notable landmarks, the city has architectural gems every where you look— and that’s not to mention its unique cuisine. The drive from Ragusa to Palermo can be made in about four hours and will take you through the central interior of the island.
• Cefalù. Located between Palermo and the Madonie National Park is Cefalù, a coastal village that is often mentioned among the most beautiful in all of Italy. Situated on a small bay that is lined with beautiful buildings, the landscape of the area is dominated by La Rocca, a large and stunning coastal formation towering over it. The area is also famous for the 4th-century Temple of Diana. From Comiso, a car trip takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Car rental prices in Comiso

• Medium cars - from $42 per day
• Small cars - from $30 per day
• Vans - from $132 per day
• Convertibles - from $94 per day
• Large cars - from $75 per day
• SUVs - from $40 per day
• Station wagons - from $74 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Increase your chances of landing a great rental car in Italy by following these tips:

• 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 reached easily 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 in one destination and drop it off in 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!
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Comiso is the cheapest in October when renting a car is about 50% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 74% cheaper than renting a vehicle in July. Come visit Sicily in early autumn!