Car Hire in Italy

Why hire a car in Italy?

Home to countless historical landmarks and thousands of kilometres of idyllic coastline, Italy is a land of plenty when it comes to international tourism. The real highlight of the country is its great diversity and the notable distinctions in the culture, manners, and cuisine of its regions — because of this, many travellers say they even prefer the Italian countryside to its magnificent cities like Rome, Florence, or Venice.

Note: This article is about the Italian mainland. Read the individual articles of the islands of Sardinia and Sicily to learn more about them.

Top ways to enter Italy - Mainland

• Rome Fiumicino Airport. Also known as Rome-Leonardo Da Vinci, it is the busiest airport in the country and provides plenty of flights to and from destinations in the rest of Italy, Europe, and beyond. The capital is also served by Rome-Ciampino Airport which is favoured by many low-cost airlines.
• Milan Malpensa Airport. Although located some 50 km (31 miles) from the city of Milan, this is the main air hub of all of Northern Italy. A cheaper way to get to Milan can be flying to nearby Bergamo Airport which is favoured by many low-cost companies (though several of them also fly to Malpensa). Another airport in the Milan area is Milan-Linate.
• Other airports. There are more than ten other international airports on the Italian mainland. The main air hubs of the country’s south are Naples-Capodichino Airport and Bari Airport.

Top cities and places to visit

• Rome. The capital of Italy is truly a place like no other. Stay practically anywhere in the Eternal City, and you’re probably not more than a short walk away from a world-famous attraction or site. But make use of hiring a car, too — Rome is in the heart of the Lazio region which has attractions from the scenic city of Tivoli to the golden beaches of Anzio and Bracciano Martignano Nature Park.
• Naples. Whether you know it as the birthplace of pizza or the location of the largest historical centre in Europe, Naples is a place of superlatives and grandeur. The city itself could be explored for months, but you’re also just a short drive away from ancient sites like Herculaneum and Pompeii.
• Florence. The birthplace of the Renaissance and a mecca of art, Florence is one of the most sophisticated cities on the planet — and, according to Italians themselves, the most beautiful in their country. If you don’t fall victim to Florence syndrome (which means becoming overwhelmed by the visual beauty of the city), you’re bound to have the time of your life. And if you do need a break from all the art, the capital of Tuscany is just a stone’s throw from that region’s bucolic countryside.

Most popular hire car

The most hired car on the Italian mainland is the Ford Fiesta, followed by the Fiat 500 and the Kia Rio. The most popular car types are economy, mini, and standard.

Driving licence requirements

• Italy recognizes foreign driving licences if they are written in a Latin alphabet and if you’re visiting on a trip that’s shorter than six months. If you’re visiting on a longer trip or if you’re a permanent resident of Italy, you need to acquire a local driving licence.
• If your driving licence is in another alphabet (e.g., Cyrillic or Arabic), you need to have an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Even if you have an IDP, you still need to also provide your valid driving licence from your country
• You must carry your driving licence, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driving licence for at least two years.
• Some car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

Italy is bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, as well as San Marino and the Vatican City, two enclaves inside it. France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia are all members of the Schengen Area like Italy, meaning that the 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 hire 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 car hire period, make sure to check the rental conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border car hire in our Help Center.

Top driving routes

• Apulia. Located in the southeast of the country, Apulia (or Puglia) is one of the most famous beach regions in the country. Better yet, it is also home to cities like Bari and Lecce (the latter of which is known as Florence of the South), the unique architecture of Alberobello, and beautiful nature. This really is one of the best places in the country to go on a long, leisurely road trip.
• Piedmont. Located in the northwest of the country and having strong cultural ties with neighbouring France, Piedmont is one of the most distinctive parts of the country. Most visitors are rightfully attracted to Piedmont’s sophisticated capital, Turin, but other attractions like Lake Maggiore and the alpine scenery of Gran Paradiso National Park are also waiting to be explored.
• Emilia-Romagna. Surrounded by famous neighbours like Tuscany and Lombardy, the region of Emilia-Romagna can sometimes be overlooked by foreign travellers. Those who make time to visit it, however, will be rewarded with attractions like the stunning architecture (and equally enjoyable cuisine) of Bologna, other historical gems like Modena and Ravenna, Adriatic beaches, and even two national parks.

Car hire prices in Italy

• Small cars - starting at US$3 per day
• Medium cars - starting at US$6 per day
• SUVs - starting at US$5 per day
• Station wagons - starting at US$7 per day
• Large cars - starting at US$7 per day
• People Carriers - starting at US$13 per day
• Premium cars - starting at US$24 per day
• Convertibles - starting at US$40 per day

How can I save money on my hire car?

There are several good methods to find a cheaper car for hire:

• Compare rates of different car hire providers
• Book your vehicle well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit in the month when the prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting the Italian mainland is the cheapest in March when hiring a car is about 46% cheaper than the yearly average.