Car Rental on Sicily

Why rent a car on 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.

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

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.
• Catania. The other large city of Sicily, Catania is just as historic, but, importantly, also just as fun as Palermo. Known for historical landmarks such as the Roman theater and the Ursino Castle, the latter dating back to the 13th century and the Kingdom of Sicily, it is located on the southeastern coast of the island and provides access to a number of fun day trip destinations, which leads us to…
• Mount Etna. Still furiously active and magma-spouting – although the vast majority of eruptions are of no danger to the people below the mountain - Etna is arguably one of the most impressive natural attractions in Italy, if not all of Europe. An hour’s drive north of Catania, the 3,300 meter (10,800 feet) volcano is best explored on a guided tour, many of which can be booked down in the city.
• 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.
• Cefalù. Located about an hour’s drive west of Palermo, Cefalù is one of the most picturesque places of Sicily. The relaxed atmosphere of a mid-sized coastal city is mixed with the spectacular coastal rock against the backdrop of which it is located. Cefalù is frequently listed amond the best Mediterranean destinations in various travel lists.

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's license 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's license issued by an EU country.
• If your driver's 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's license, not its copy, with you at all times.
• You need to have had your driver's 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 Rental Conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

The region of Sicily has no international borders. Many rental companies allow their cars to be taken to mainland Italy, either returning to Sicily or dropping off the car at a location on the mainland. Few, if any, allow their cars to be taken on a ferry to Sardinia — and in any case, the costs of doing so would probably not be worth it. Just drop off your car before taking the ferry and rent a new one when you get to Sardinia. 

Learn more about cross-border rentals in our FAQ section.

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 your rental car is registered on 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. 

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

1. 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?
2. Messina - Palermo (230 km / 140 mi) If you’re arriving in Sicily from the Italian mainland, it’s quite likely that you’ll be taking this picturesque road along the highway E90. If you’re not short on time, plan a stop to enjoy the natural beauty in one of the nature reserves that are on the way.
3. Palermo - Catania (200 km / 125 mi) Routes E90 and A18 connect the island’s two largest cities, snaking through its 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 drive between the two cities can be completed in two hours and thirty minutes.

Car rental prices on Sicily

• Small cars - from $24 per day
• Medium cars - from $26 per day
• SUVs - from $27 per day
• Station wagons - from $34 per day
• Large cars - from $38 per day
• Convertibles - from $97 per day
• Vans - from $96 per day
• Premium cars - from $70 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are a number of things you can do to get a good deal on your rental 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 in the month when the rental prices are the lowest. According to our data, visiting Sicily is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 40% cheaper than the yearly average.