A Complete Guide for Car Rental in Italy: From Reservation to Return
Car rental in Italy may seem daunting for travelers, but I’d like to share how to use a rental car in Italy so that even beginners like me can drive with confidence.
1. Reservation for Car Rental in Italy
1) When To Book For Car Rental in Italy
In Europe, manual transmission vehicles are more common than automatics, and the prevalence of electric cars is rising. Therefore, it can be difficult to find the desired transmission or fuel type if you book late. Depending on the booking method, you can cancel for free up to 48 hours before pickup. It’s advisable to book as soon as your itinerary is finalized.
2) How To Book : 2 Options for Car Rental in Italy
You have TWO options: using a price comparison site, or booking directly through a rental car company’s website.
As a beginner, I opted for the peace of mind of booking directly with a rental car company. I chose Noleggiare, a local company with affordable rates and positive reviews from users. I wanted to avoid any potential disputes during pickup and return, and global major companies were more expensive.
a. Book through a Price Comparison Site
- Pros: Allows you to compare quotes from various rental companies and often find the cheapest rates
- Cons: Generally the most expensive option
- Major Sites: Rentalcars.com, Booking.com
b. Book directly through a Rental Car Company
- Pros: Direct booking with the company you’ll deal with at pickup and return, ensuring safety and certainty.
- Cons: Usually more expensive, especially for insurance.
- Major Companies: <Global> Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, <Italian Local> Maggiore, Noleggiare
3) Choosing the car size
When selecting a car size, consider not only the number of travelers, but ALSO the size and amount of luggage. In Italy, cars rarely have tinted windows, so leaving luggage on the seats rather than in the trunk can attract thieves.
For my trip, we were two people traveling with a large 28-inch suitcase, so we booked a compact Ford Focus. Upon arrival, we were assigned an Opel Corsa of the same class.
4) Choosing Insurance for Car Rental in Italy
The rental price typically includes basic collision damage waiver (CDW) insurance (with a deductible of €1,800) and theft insurance (with a deductible of €2,000). To cover unexpected incidents, you can opt for additional insurance with zero deductibles. Insurance purchased through comparison sites often requires you to pay for damages upfront and get reimbursed later, which can be inconvenient but cheaper. Conversely, insurance purchased directly from the rental company is more convenient but more expensive, as they handle everything if an accident occurs.
For instance, when renting a Ford Focus for three days, the additional insurance cost varies. For zero-deductible Platinum insurance, Noleggiare’s daily rate is similar to Booking.com’s three-day rate. For my three-day rental, I chose the Platinum option for peace of mind, although for a longer rental, I might have considered the cost more carefully.
Based on other users’ experiences, some rental companies may insist on buying their additional insurance at pickup, and there have been issues with reimbursement when using third-party insurance. Therefore, purchasing insurance directly from the rental company might be the best option for your peace of mind.
2. From Pickup to Return
1) Pickup and Return Locations
You will typically pick up your car at major city train stations or airports, where multiple rental companies are located, making them easy to find. However, the return location address on the reservation voucher might be inaccurate, so double-check the return parking lot address provided in the check-in documents at pickup.
2) Essential Items for Pickup
You must bring FOUR essential items: an International Driving Permit (IDP), your passport, a credit card (for deposit, debit cards are not accepted), and a printed reservation voucher. Some rental companies or local traffic police may also request your domestic driver’s license, so bring it as well.
3) ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato)
If you plan to drive in Italy, you must understand ZTL zones. These restricted traffic areas are set up to preserve cultural heritage sites. Driving into a ZTL without a permit can result in fines of up to €65 from the Italian government and €45 from the rental company, totaling over €100.
In smaller cities like Orvieto or Pienza, ZTL zones start at city walls, so you can park outside and walk in. However, in larger cities like Rome or Florence, it’s challenging to avoid ZTL zones, so it’s best to avoid driving in city centers. I once accidentally entered a ZTL zone in Florence and had a stressful experience trying to turn around in narrow streets.
4) Parking
Search for “parking” on Google Maps to find public parking lots. After parking, find the nearby parking meter, input your estimated parking duration (minimum one hour, usually €1.5 per hour), pay, and place the ticket on your dashboard. Since card payments may not always work, carry some cash.
5) Refueling
Remember two key things when refueling: “Servizio” indicates full service with an attendant, which includes a service charge. For cheaper fuel, use self-service. Diesel is labeled “Diesel” (yellow), while gasoline is labeled “Super” or “Senza Piombo” (green).
6) Navigation
Use Google Maps or Waze. I used Google Maps for my three-day trip and had no trouble, even driving through the forested areas around Monte Amiata.
7) Highways
Toll gates issue tickets or accept them for toll calculation. You can pay tolls by card, making it easy. The speed limit is usually 130 km/h, but many drivers tend to exceed this limit.
8) Last But Not Least
Finding a navigation mount in Italy can be difficult and expensive, so bring one from home. Also, latest cars support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, so bring the appropriate cable. European cars often use USB-C ports, so prepare accordingly. As an iPhone user, I had to search for a USB-C to Lightning cable near Rome Termini Station.
3. Useful Links for Car Rental in Italy
1) ZTL Maps
For those brave enough to drive in city centers, refer to the following ZTL maps:
- Car Rental Company Site with ZTL Maps
- Rome ZTL Map (Official Site)
- Florence ZTL Map (Official Site)
- Milan ZTL Map (Official Site)
2) Recommended Apps for Car Rental in Italy
I hope my experience helps you on your upcoming travels.
