Compare cheap car hire across Italy with practical advice on airports, vehicle choices, driving routes, prices and rental requirements.
Italy is one of Europe’s most popular road trip destinations. From historic cities and coastal drives to mountain scenery and vineyards, hiring a car allows you to explore places that are difficult to reach by train or public transport.
Many travellers collect their vehicle directly at the airport after arriving in the country. Popular entry points include Rome Fiumicino Airport, Bologna Airport, Bergamo Airport, Naples Airport and Pisa Airport. These airports provide convenient starting points for road trips across the country.
If you are visiting major Italian cities, you may also collect a vehicle after leaving the historic centres. For example, travellers exploring Tuscany sometimes start their journey from Florence before driving through the countryside.
Where to Hire a Car in Italy
Car rental is widely available at international airports, major train stations and large cities across Italy. Airports normally offer the widest selection of vehicles and the most competitive prices.
Italy has dozens of airports where travellers can collect a rental car and begin exploring the country. Many visitors start their journey at regional airports that provide convenient access to coastal areas, historic towns and countryside road trips.
- Venice Airport – ideal starting point for exploring Venice, the Veneto region and northern Italy
- Bari Airport – convenient gateway to the Adriatic coast and southern Italy
- Turin Airport – useful for travel in northwest Italy and routes toward the Alps
- Brindisi Airport – popular arrival point for visitors exploring the Puglia region
- Catania Airport – main airport serving eastern Sicily and Mount Etna
For national travel information you can visit the official Italia tourism website.
Car Rental Companies in Italy
Italy has a large range of international and domestic car rental providers operating at airports and major cities.
- Hertz
- Europcar
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
- Sixt
- Leasys (Fiat group)
Availability varies by airport, but major hubs such as Rome, Milan and Bologna usually offer the widest selection of vehicles.
Typical Car Rental Prices in Italy
| Season | Economy Car | Family / Compact | SUV / Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| January – March | €25 – €55 per day | €55 – €95 per day | €95 – €160 per day |
| April – June | €35 – €70 per day | €70 – €120 per day | €120 – €190 per day |
| July – August | €55 – €120 per day | €100 – €180 per day | €170 – €260 per day |
| September – October | €35 – €75 per day | €70 – €120 per day | €120 – €200 per day |
| November – December | €25 – €60 per day | €55 – €95 per day | €95 – €160 per day |
Rental prices usually increase during summer holidays and popular travel periods such as Easter and August.
Choosing the Right Rental Car in Italy
Compact Cars for Historic Cities
Many Italian towns have narrow streets and limited parking. Small hatchbacks are often the easiest vehicles to drive in city centres.
Touring Cars for Countryside Trips
If you plan to explore regions such as Tuscany or Umbria, a larger compact car or estate vehicle can provide extra comfort for longer journeys.
SUVs for Mountain Regions
Travellers heading to alpine areas sometimes choose SUVs for extra comfort and luggage space, particularly during winter.
Driving in Italy
Italy has an extensive motorway network connecting major cities and regions. The main motorways are called “Autostrade” and operate a toll system.
- Driving is on the right-hand side
- Motorways are marked with green signs
- Tolls are paid when exiting the motorway
- Fuel stations are widely available along major routes
Drivers should also be aware of “ZTL” restricted traffic zones in many historic city centres.
Road safety information and travel advice can also be found through the Automobile Club d’Italia.
Popular Places to Visit by Car in Italy
Italy offers a wide range of destinations that are perfect for exploring by car.
- Tuscany – vineyards, hill towns and scenic countryside
- Amalfi Coast – famous coastal road south of Naples
- Lake Garda – popular northern Italian lake destination
- Sardinia – island known for beaches and scenic drives
A rental car allows visitors to travel between regions at their own pace while exploring smaller towns and countryside locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I hire a car in Italy?
Car hire is available at most international airports, major cities and many train stations across the country.
Which airports are best for hiring a car in Italy?
Popular airport pickup points include Rome Fiumicino Airport, Bologna Airport, Bergamo Airport, Naples Airport and Pisa Airport.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Italy?
Most rental companies require a credit card in the lead driver’s name for the security deposit.
Is driving in Italy easy for tourists?
Driving on motorways is straightforward, although historic city centres can have narrow streets and restricted traffic zones.
Are automatic cars available in Italy?
Yes, although manual vehicles are still more common and often cheaper.
Can I drive a rental car between different regions of Italy?
Yes. Most rental companies allow travel throughout the country.
Are there toll roads in Italy?
Yes. Most motorways require toll payments when exiting the Autostrada.
Should I book my rental car before arriving?
Booking in advance often provides better prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Italy?
Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old, although requirements may vary by supplier.
What documents are required to rent a car in Italy?
You normally need a valid driving licence, passport or ID and a credit card in the main driver’s name.
10 Very Irish Reasons We’re Utterly Obsessed with Italy (And Keep Going Back Like It’s a Spiritual Calling)
- We Believe Deep Down We Were Meant to Be Born There
Every Irish person has said, at least once while eating pasta, “I think I’m actually Italian on the inside.” - Italy Is Basically What We Think We Look Like in Good Weather
Somewhere between the cliffs of Sorrento and the hills of Tuscany, we see a version of ourselves that isn’t pale and drenched. - We Love Drama—Italy Lives Drama
Irish emotion meets Italian theatrics. Italians argue passionately about tomatoes the way we argue about the Late Late Show lineup. We respect this. - The Food Understands Us on a Soul Level
Carbs, cheese, more carbs—Italy doesn’t just serve food; it serves emotional support disguised as lunch. - Italians Gesture More Wildly Than We Do
Irish people talk with their hands. Italians conduct symphonies mid-sentence. We feel seen, even if we don’t understand a word. - We Appreciate a Country That’s Beautiful Everywhere
In Ireland, you take one wrong turn and end up in a bog. In Italy, you take a wrong turn and end up in a UNESCO World Heritage site. - Art, History and Vibes
The Irish love a ruin and a relic. Italy has 3,000 years of them casually lying around like garden ornaments. - They Take Coffee as Seriously as We Take Tea
It’s not a drink—it’s a ritual. Stand at a bar, knock back espresso like a local, pretend you’re late for something stylish. - They’re Loud, Proud and Emotionally Unfiltered
No one in Italy pretends not to care. Food is declared “a masterpiece,” sunsets are “a religious experience,” and gelato is treated with reverence. Irish hearts approve. - We Want to Live There, Retire There, Be Buried There
Ask any Irish person: “Would you move to Italy?” They will answer, “In a heartbeat, if I spoke Italian / could afford it / could bring my mother.”
Sicily
Sicily is the island right on the south-western tip of the boot. Sardinia is the big island off the west coast, in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
No doubt about it, Italy is home to some of the most elegant and well recognized areas in the world.
We provide Sicily car hire options at Catania, Palermo and Trapani. Our Sardinia car rental pickup points include Olbia, Cagliari and Alghero.
Football
Italy is the spiritual home of football for many fans, and regardless of whether you’re an AC Milan or Juventus fan, you will not want to miss the opportunity to view a game in the San Siro or the Stadio Olimpico in Turin. With an unrivaled atmosphere and the most passionate fans, you will not experience anything like it anywhere else in the world.
Food and Drink in Italy
Aside from Italy’s fabulous scenery, you will love Italy’s great passion for food. This is the nation responsible for the best pizza and pasta in the world.
Italy is also well recognized for its excellent and high quality wine that will garner approval from even those with the most discriminating taste buds. When in Italy, you’re sure to satisfy your gastronomic cravings. You will find a number of restaurants that can cater to each and every taste preference.
Grab a cheap car hire Italy deal today and see for yourself what this incredible country has to offer.
