Car Hire in Milan

Why hire a car in Milan?

Capital of fashion, opera, and commerce, Milan is one of Italy’s most famous cities and the country’s largest metropolitan area. Its atmosphere might be less historic and busier than that of Venice or Florence, but there are countless landmarks and experiences to make up for that. Located at the heart of Northern Italy, Milan is also near Lake Como and many other wonderful places for day trips.

Top ways to enter Milan

• Milan Malpensa Airport: The second-busiest in Italy, Malpensa Airport is about an hour’s drive west Milan city center.
• Bergamo Airport: Located in the nearby town of Bergamo, this airport is an hour’s drive east of Milan and is favored by many low-cost carriers.
• Milan Linate Airport: The smallest of the three international airports in the Milan area, Linate is also the one that is the closest to the city center.
• By rail: If you’re arriving in Milan by train, you can conveniently pick up a car right at the Milan Central Railway Station.

City facts

• Milan Region is the most densely populated part of Italy. The Milan metropolitan area, also known as Grande Milano, has more than 8 million people living in it.
• Winters in Milan can be quite cold, with occasional snowfall. In summer, humidity levels are high and peak temperatures can reach temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F).

Top sights and activities

• Duomo. There are lots of important buildings in Milan, but unquestionably the Duomo is the most famous of them all. Also known by its full name, the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of St. Mary, the stunning Gothic church is the third-largest in the world. Many of Milan’s landmarks are located at or near Cathedral Square.
• Sempione Park. Milan has beautiful parks, gardens, and even green facades and rooftops, but Parco Sempione is perhaps the most famous among them. Established in the late 19th century, it is known not only for its beautiful flora and tranquil atmosphere, but also attractions such as the outdoor venue of Arena Civica, the Arch of Peace, and the Civic Aquarium of Milan.
• Sforza Castle. Also located in Sempione Park, but deserving of a special mention, the construction of this castle dates back to the 15th century. Named after Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan at the time, it is among the largest citadels in Italy and also houses a complex of no fewer than ten art and history museums.

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 numerous toll roads in Italy. The exact fee depends on the route of your choice and the type of a 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

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

• Turin. About 2 hours drive west of Milan, the capital of Piedmont Region and Italy’s fourth-largest city, Turin is sometimes considered Milan’s friendly rival. It offers stunning architecture, interesting history, and perhaps a tad more relaxed atmosphere.
• Bergamo. Milan’s smaller, slower-paced, but equally charming neighbour is one of the most popular day trip destinations in the area. Divided into the walled Upper Town and the more modern Lower Town, Bergamo is known for its scenic architecture, many museums and galleries, and quality restaurants. Depending on traffic, the drive from Milan takes between 45 and 60 minutes.
  
• Lakes Como and Maggiore. The home of the rich and famous from Italy and abroad, Lake Como is another very popular place to visit on a day trip from Milan. A touch less glamorous, but equally scenic, its western neighbour, Lake Maggiore, is also not to be overlooked. The town of Arona, located on the southwest coast of the latter, is just a bit more than an hour’s drive away from Milan.
• Lecco. Located on the eastern bank of Lake Como, the little town of Lecco is famous not only for its scenic beauty, cable cars, and hiking trails, but also for landmarks like the stunning San Nicolò Basilica, towers, bridges, the Natural History Museum, and even a planetarium. Located some 55 km (37 miles) northeast of Milan, Lecco can be traveled to in one hour by car.

Most popular cars

The most hired car in Italy is the Fiat Panda, but travelers also pick the Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500. The most often picked car types are economy, mini, and compact. 

Further destinations

• Switzerland. Closer to Milan than Rome and Venice, Switzerland is a great nearby destination full of dramatic mountain scenery and cozy little valley towns. Start in the Italian-speaking region of Ticino, then proceed to Geneva in the west or Davos and the many national parks in the east. Note that if you’re coming from Milan to Switzerland, you’ll have to cross a national border, so check with your car hire company in advance to make sure they permit it.
• Provence. France’s picturesque coastal stretch is just a three and a half hour drive southeast of Milan. Visit Mediterranean towns like Nice, Cannes, and Marseille, and make time for a short stop in Monaco, the affluent microstate that’ll be on the way. Note that if you’re coming from Milan to France, you’ll have to cross a national border, so check with your car hire company first to make sure they permit it.
• Parma, Modena, and Bologna. The three cities of the Emilia-Romagna region are located next to the same national highway, and each make an equally interesting travel destination thanks to a unique history, architecture, and culinary traditions.
• Stelvio National Park. Shared between Lombardy and Südtirol, Stelvio is the largest national park in Italy. Located in the Alps on the border with Switzerland, the national park is made up of snow-capped peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and a network of hiking trails. You can also find a wide variety of local flora and fauna like the Alpine ibex, chamois, red deer, and western capercaillies. Located about 200 km (125 miles) from Milan, the national park takes some three hours to reach from Milan. There are many places to stay in and around the park so you don’t have to rush back to the city on the same day.

Car hire prices in Milan

• Convertibles - starting at €130 per day
• Small cars - starting at €7 per day
• Medium cars - starting at €9 per day
• Station wagons - starting at €25 per day
• Premium cars - starting at €24 per day
• People Carriers - starting at €56 per day
• SUVs - starting at €8 per day
• Large cars - starting at €16 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are the things you can do to get the best possible rental deal in Milan:

• Compare rates of different car hire providers
• Book your car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Milan is the cheapest in January when hiring a car is about 45% cheaper than the yearly average and 68% cheaper than hiring a car in June.