Are you heading to Europe and planning to rent a car in Italy for the first time?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step process, highlighting what sets it apart from renting in the USA or Canada.
You’ll discover how to easily reserve your car online, choose the right insurance, and review rental conditions.
From picking up your vehicle to managing tolls and handling return procedures, I’ve got insights on every aspect of renting a car in Italy.
Ready to find out how to rent a car in Italy? Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
1. Making a Reservation: The First Step to Rent a Car in Italy
Start by making a reservation with a car rental company.
The most convenient way is to do this online.
For this example, I will use rentalcars.com, where you can compare different car rentals.
Let’s try to book a car for a 2-week period at Léonard-de-Vinci Airport in Rome.
2. What Type of Vehicle is the Best Choice to Rent a Car in Italy?
I’m looking for a compact or economy car since it’s usually the best choice.
These cars offer enough space for luggage, are comfortable for driving around, and are easy to park.
If you’re leaning towards an SUV, keep in mind that it will likely be a small crossover rather than a full-size Suburban.
Opting for a mid-size SUV like the Audi Q5 can cost 2-3 times more than a compact or small SUV.
IMPORTANT: In Europe, most rental cars come with manual transmission.
If you’re an American planning to rent a car in Italy and prefer automatic transmission, be ready to pay a bit extra.
Make sure to select the automatic transmission option in your search to find the right rental car that suits your needs.
3. Reviewing Rental Conditions to Avoid Extra Fees
It’s crucial to carefully review all rental conditions, especially when using aggregators like rentalcars.com.
The car I looked into required a €300 deposit, which is pretty standard. However, there was a €1000 out-of-pocket expense in case of an accident and €1900 for theft.
Additionally, the rental company is located outside the airport, so you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to get there.
After checking the map, I found out it’s a 30-minute bus ride or a 15-minute taxi drive—definitely a deal-breaker for me after a long flight from America.
Luckily, I had no trouble finding other options right at the airport, so I’ll be going with one of them instead.
4. Checking the Total Car Rental Price for Clearer Costs
Here’s a breakdown of all the fees and taxes you’ll encounter when renting a car in Italy.
The initial price was nearly €700, but it looks like all fees and insurance are already included in that cost.
However, if there’s any damage or theft, you’ll be responsible for covering up to €1200 or €1800 out of your own pocket.
It’s crucial to remember that your standard car insurance or credit card insurance may not cover these expenses.
5. Selecting the Best Insurance Coverage to Rent a Car in Italy
On the next screen, they ask about insurance.
As I mentioned before, we already have Collision Damage Waiver and Third-Party Liability included, but the out-of-pocket limits are pretty high.
So, while we’re mostly covered for major damages, we’ll still be on the hook for smaller incidents.
There’s an option to cover those costs for €109.28 for the whole rental, which includes things like windows, mirrors, wheels, and tires.
I think I’ll go for that—especially since it’s super easy to get scratches when you rent a car in Italy, particularly in those tiny towns.
Next up, I’ll need to enter my personal and payment details. After that, I’ll get a booking confirmation via email.
Definitely a good idea to print it out and have it ready when I hit the counter.
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6. Reaching the Car Rental Facility
Once you land at the airport (like FCO, for example), the process is pretty simple.
If you’re coming in from outside Europe, you’ll go through passport control, grab your bags, and head to the car rental area.
Just a heads-up: if it’s peak travel time, you might hit a line.
And if your rental place is outside the airport, you’ll either need to catch a shuttle bus or sort out your own ride to get there.
7. At the Car Rental Counter
When you pick up your car, don’t forget to bring all the key documents!
You’ll usually need your passport, a valid driver’s license, and a credit card in your name for payment and security.
After they check your docs, they’ll ask about insurance options.
Just so you know, if you’re coming from outside Europe, your car or credit card insurance from back home probably won’t cover you here.
In our case, we’ve already got all the insurance we want, so we won’t be adding anything at the counter.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you what kind of insurance gives you peace of mind while driving.
Once you’ve sorted out the insurance, you’ll pay with your card for the rental if you haven’t done that online yet.
Oh, and they’ll temporarily hold a deposit on your credit card for the duration of your rental.
8. Picking Up Your Rental Car
When you pick up your car, you’ll usually get the keys right at the counter.
This is a bit different from the USA, where you can often choose a car directly from the parking lot. Instead, they’ll guide you to your assigned vehicle.
If you’re not thrilled with the car you receive, don’t hesitate to head back to the counter and see if you can swap it out. Just keep in mind that it might take a bit of time.
Most rental companies have a specific car ready for each customer, so they might not have another one available.
I remember changing a car in Italy once and ended up with a nicer one, but it wasn’t cleaned yet, so I had to wait about 30 minutes for them to get it ready.
Before you drive off, take a moment to inspect the car for any existing damage.
Look for scratches, dents, or anything unusual, and make sure the rental company records these in writing.
This step is super important to prevent any disputes about damage later.
Unlike in the USA they often check the vehicle when you return it in Europe, so be diligent about noting any scratches to avoid extra fees.
9. Leaving the Parking Lot
Once you’ve checked the vehicle for any damage, go ahead and pack your luggage in. Then it’s time to hit the exit!
Most of the time, there won’t even be a gate since you’ve already taken care of all the paperwork, so you’re all set to hit the road!
10. Tips During Your Car Rental Period
While you’re enjoying your rental car in Italy, remember that you’re responsible for the vehicle.
This means you’ll need to refuel it and follow traffic rules. If you happen to get a speeding ticket, it’s on you—not the rental car company.
Plus, they might hit you with an extra processing fee for handling the ticket, so you’ll end up paying for both the ticket and that fee.
Tolls are another thing to keep in mind. You’ll need to cover those expenses too!
When you enter or exit a freeway in Italy, you pay at the gate before entering the freeway.
11. Returning Your Rental Car
When it’s time to return the car, make sure to do it at the scheduled time or even a bit earlier.
It’s important to have the fuel tank filled to the specified level, which is usually a full tank.
No need to stress about refueling right before you get to the airport; you can easily fill up within a 50 km (30 miles) radius of the rental facility as long as the fuel gauge shows a full tank.
Once you return the car, the rental agency will check it out. If everything looks good, you’ll sort out any extra fees and get your deposit back. Easy peasy!
12. What’s the Total Cost to Rent a Car in Italy?
Breakdown of Rental Costs
Here’s a quick rundown of the total rental costs for a two-week period for the chosen car in Italy:
- €703.99 – Base car rental cost
- €109.28 – Additional insurance
- €400 – Fuel cost (based on driving about 200 kilometers per day with gas priced at €1.8 per liter)
- €124.80 – Tolls (for a road trip from Rome to Venice, Milan, Pisa, and back to Rome)
€1,338.07 – Total price for 2 weeks: So, renting a car in Italy comes to around €100 per day.
Can I Find a Cheaper Car Rental in Italy?
Absolutely, you can definitely find a car at a more affordable rate.
This example was just to show you the whole process, but remember that going for a cheaper option isn’t always the best move.
If something goes wrong, budget-friendly rental companies might not provide great customer service or could hit you with extra charges.
I’ve used a variety of rental companies without any issues, but keep in mind that you’ll see complaints about nearly every rental company online.
My advice? Make sure to review the rental conditions carefully ahead of time.
If anything’s unclear—especially as a foreigner—ask the rental staff for clarification.
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How to Rent a Car in Italy: Final Thoughts
Here’s everything you need to know about renting a car in Italy. With these tips, you’ll have a hassle-free experience!
Just remember to drive responsibly, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying the beautiful Italian countryside and cities with ease.
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