Always lock doors in these situations and keep valuables out of sight. Do you mean Lezzeno, the one on the lake? This should be considered an essential purchase wherever in the world you travel. It costs 5.50 and you can apply for one from certain larger. Italians are confident and assertive drivers you should be too. Have you seen the London traffic circle scene from National Lampoons European vacation? In addition, you will receive two Nectar points for every qualifying pound spent, and free membership to our Gold Plus Rewards Five-Star upper tier. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Usually, the cap of the tank is colored green if you have a car that takes benzina, and the pump is colored green as well. Renting a Car in Italy: Manual vs Automatic. Including CDW and theft insurance in a prepaid car rental rate when you book your car is almost always significantly cheaper than booking a basic car rate ahead of time and opting in for insurance at the pickup desk. The 1st car they tried to give us was a Nissan Note and was bashed to bits, I said to the girl, "are you . Airports often also have the largest selection of cars; collecting there also means you often do not have to negotiate inner-city narrow roads and get quickly on your way. This area is very difficult to visit for traffic and parking but well connected by bus and ferries, especially in summer. Check out our post Calling Italy From the USA. Also, dont try anything new if you drive an automatic car at home, rent an automatic car in Italy. Rental companies will ask to return the gas tank full. Some cities with ZTL zones allow residents/permit holders to pass through. You may have trouble getting an Italian to agree that they have witnessed the accident the legal process can be quite lengthy and complicated here. 1. Even thoughrenting a car in Italy is cheaper than in some other European countries, there are extra costs that you simply cannot avoid spending money on. ZTL stands for zona traffico limitato limited traffic zone. The rental car company in Italy, LEASYS, indicates for payment that the credit card must have embossed numbers and the card must have chip and PIN capability. The Autostrada (any road beginning with an A, like A1 that runs north-south in the country) is a toll road. It also helps you to ensure that you get the specific vehicle that you want. Renting a car is the only way to visit many of these destinations. 4. Waiting until you get to Italy to organise your car rental can mean that all that is left are manual vehicles. International Drivers Permits cost just $15. You can also rent from agencies that specialize in luxury car rentals, like Lux of Italy. Report inappropriate content. If you pass into the zone, your license plate number is recorded and a ticket is automatically issued. You might need to wait in line for an hour. In cities, you are most likely to have to leave the car at expensive parking outside of the center or pay a premium for car space in your hotel. It is illegal to text while driving or to hold your phone and use it while driving. Stopping at an Autogrill is a rite of passage for a driver in Italy! If you are traveling with children, be advised that kids car seats are compulsory on rental cars and private vehicles for kids up to 150cm in height and 36 Kg, about 12 years of age. We covered a few essential things to know before getting behind a wheel in Italy, debunked some misconceptions and gave tips on how to avoid the most common mistakes (and fines!). Most car rentals companies require driving license holders to have over one year of driving experience. Yet in Italy, it absolutely is. Here are some basic things to know about renting a car in Italy in order to make your experience painless and convenient. They are all well connected by high-speed trains and very difficult to explore by car, with crazy traffic and hard-to-grasp parking rules. Car hire excess insurance can work alongside the main insurance to cover several of the areas that you would still be liable for. Its required by law. Use our free Online Check-In process to speed up the car hire pickup. Get your travel essentials sorted for less Travel Insurance Make sure you find the right cover. New Zealand - 21 years old. International Driving Permit for Italy How and Why to Get One, English information on the countrys car seat laws, Italian road signs Guide for Visitors (+ Photos), Italian Toll Roads Guide to the Autostrada, Italian Gas Stations A Guide to Getting Gas in Italy, Parking in Italy (+ Parking Sign Translations), 200+ Essential Italy Travel Tips for Your First (or 10th!) For roadside assistance, call 803.116. Remember, if its raining, the speed limit decreases by 20km/hr and the Safety Tutor adjusts as well. I recommend the smallest you can, so youll navigate the narrow streets with less stress. Usually, early booking is the best way to get good rates and online offers often come with flexible cancellation options. Youll also want to have a car to reach archaeological sites, countryside restaurants, and beaches. Many people say credit cards NEVER cover CDW in Italy. You must be 18 years or older and a legal resident of the United States and your permit is only valid for a year from the date of issue. However, Campania is different as some areas have good connections by train, bus or ferry (see below). Instead, signs show cities in that direction. Follow their lead and dont do it drivers wont expect it. We have hired many times from Naples and Rome, the worst experience was Car del Mar, nearly a 1000E placed on my CC, even though we had bought the excess insurance. If you dont drive in the dark at home, dont do it in Italy. I got a driving ticket while I was in Italy. Can I drive in Italy with a US drivers license? Car rental companies. When you enter the Autostrada (photo of green sign), you stop at the barrier and take a ticket (biglietto) or drive without stopping through the telepass (yellow) lane. To drive your car in Italy, you need a full and valid UK driving licence, a valid passport, a V5, proof of insurance and a GB sticker. At Hertz, there is no upper age limit for car hire*. Piedmont Wine Country YES Renting a car is a must if youd like to explore the small wine villages of Barolo, Alba (mmmm, truffles anyone? Please ask at your rental branch.) 30 Oct, 6 days. Sicily YES Italys largest island needs to be explored by car. This is a personal decision as there are pluses and minuses to both. The same applies if you want to experience Tuscanys rolling hills and most Tuscany villages. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Planning a trip to Italy: all you need to know! While a GPS will come in handy for navigation, dont rely on it. Car and van hire at Italy is made easy with Europcar. If you check out of your accommodation and must store luggage in the vehicle, have someone always remain with it. Car rental ratesin Italy are all over the place and depend on demand, size of car, optional / insurance coverage cost, etc. Regions such as Puglia, Reggio Calabria, and Southern Italy, for instance, have very poor transport links. Tip: Your license plate is often required, so take a photo and youll always have it handy for the meters. I did it once in my 20s and I vividly remember saying Id never do it again. Browse rental options online via comparison sites in order to ensure that you are getting the best deal. Youre safer parking your car with an attendant than on the side of the street. Customer Feedback Create your own review Debit Card Car Hire Average rating: 4 reviews Dec 20, 2018 by Surfaraz Sarwar Car hire italy with visa debit So if you need to hire a car for at least 28 days, find out about our monthly car rental in Italy and enjoy the benefits of long term rental; the longer you rent, the more money you save! Read our guide to renewing your driving licence . Should I drive in Italy during the pandemic? Many car rental companies operate in Italy, internationally and local. Speed limits shown in Google Maps directions are relatively new here and are often inaccurate. While wearing your neon safety vest, place your neon safety triangle on the road behind your vehicle (at least 50 meters, and 100 meters on the Autostrada). ZTL zones are inner-city zones that have restricted access to non-residents at certain hours of the day. GPS systems often suggest driving right through ZTL zones as they have no idea of their presence and just offer the shortest route. You are required to display a GB sticker on your car in Italy. Youre asking yourself, Should I be renting a car in Italy? Read on to decide whether or not you should. In order to hire a car in Germany you must be at least 18 years of age, though some car hire companies have a minimum age limit as high as 21. In reality, you can definitely hire a car here for a lower or equivalent cost to most countries in Europe. We are talking $300 for 2 weeks versus $300 for 4 days. 61 posts. Streets are tiny, and parking spots can be tinier or difficult to find. Car rental companies in Italy often offer car seats for rent but please check carefully they are suitable. Technically, you are required to pay the toll for the earliest entrance you could have made. Never park in front of garages or driveways, or in bus or taxi loading zones. You must be 18 years or older and a legal resident of the United States and your permit is only valid for a year from the date of issue. No matter what country you're in, you'll always need your driving licence with you when you hire a car. That way, you know that everything is taken care of well in advance of your trip. To help you prepare to drive in the EU after Brexit, here's a summary of what you need to know. The best paper maps of Italy for driving are the Touring Club Italiano maps and the Michelin Italy Road Atlas. Car rentals in italy often have booster seats that are only suitable for children above a certain height and weight. 12. If they pay attention to the roads, they get stressed out and anxious. Tolls and Freeways. The latter still detects your location even when offline. The reasoning behind it is that having only one clip to undo in an emergency makes it easier to get the child out of the car seat and vehicle. This is particularly the case if you plan on travelling in Southern Italy and Sicily where rental car break-ins are far from unheard of. Small towns would have been inaccessible otherwise, as even shuttles and buses dont reach them. For instance, getting from Bolzano to Milan costs up to 30 Euros! Your options for gas include gasolio (diesel) and benzina (gas). The Drink Driving maximum limit in France is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. If you're looking for wonderful food and passion - lots of passion - then Italy is the place to visit. We will also do our best to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable time on the road exploring . As such, you should be sure to take this into consideration. Take the time to check your car and mark the dings and scratches. Our chase credit card states they cover basic coverage in Italy. Should I rent a car for a day trip from Florence to the Tuscan countryside? You technically can park outside of the villages, but its easier to leave your car in one of the big lots in La Spezia and take the train in. Sometimes the ZTL is inactive/open (often on Sundays). You can share this by getting a licence 'check code'. Nervous about rental car insurance coverage. If youre using trains (as good as they are in Italy) your schedule is dictated to you and many times it causes stress. We are in our 60s and have been driving more than 40 years. If you rented your car full of gas unless you return it completely full, your best bet would be to leave it as empty as possible. If youre venturing into nearby Basilicata to see Matera and its sassi, youll want to have a car. In smaller towns and villages, taxicabs are generally unregulated and may consist of a bike with a carriage, or more commonly, motorcycles with extensions that allow three people to sit in the rear. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I want to show that you dont have to be ultra rich or have a travel partner to do it! The Google Maps app is helpful for directions and traffic flow. If you dont pay it, some rental companies will send a collection agency after you, and you may have problems renting again in Italy. Last time we were in Italy, we hired a car from Europcar in Monopoli - a beautiful little town in Puglia - because it was one of the cheapest. If you dont pay the fine, a collections agency will be hired to collect the fees. Many car hire companies operating in Italy tend to set their minimum age requirements at either 19 or 21. Visit, Tipping In Italy A 2022 Guide to When and How Much (+Printable Quick Guide), Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions, May still need public transport if visiting cities, Give you important things to think about when. If you are driving your car from another European country, check before arriving to see if your toll device is compatible. Move the disk to show the time you started parking in the space. Hours of operation arent 24/7. Payment can typically be made by coins or credit card. It is very important to be aware of Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) zones when driving in Italy. Use Google Maps as well, and if there are any highway closures make sure to ask local police rerouting people where to go. Let passengers out of the car before parking in a narrow space. Hotels and tourist information centers can help arrange NCCs, or you can book online. Public holidays such as the 15th of August may affect hours of operations check carefully at the time of booking that the place you want to return your car to is operational at the time you need. How old do I need to be to rent a car in Italy? Car hire in Italy starts from just 6.90 per day for a (mini) class car from Optimorent. It is a legal requirement in Italy to have ID on you at all times. Cards in the US are not issued embossed any more. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through some of the links enclosed on this site, I will make a small amount of commission. We are planning a road trip from Rome to Bologna via Orvieto in mid December and are a bit scared of winter season complications if any. In these areas, all vehicles are restricted from entering. Find your nearest branch. Dont get confused and fill up your car with gas(olio) if it needs benzina! You need it! Often there's a central pay station for each bay of pumps. Renting a car in Italy is the best way to visit some parts of the country and specifically: Tuscany if you want to stay in a villa or agriturismo in the country, a car is a must as not public transport usually served country estates. Generally, the smaller the better (still just speaking about cars here!). What it is REALLY Like to Live on a Greek Island. To hire a car in Italy, you must be at least 18 years old (age may vary by car category) and have held your license for 1 year. Child car seats must be reserved in advance when you rent a car. Before entering, yield to cars already in the traffic circle. Large international car rental companies like Hertz and Europcar operate in Italy as well as smaller local groups. You will need the following documents: Full and valid UK driving licence Youll also have an additional administrative fee from the rental car agency. Most parking you will encounter in tourist areas is marked with blue lines on the pavement. It is worth asking your credit card provider before committing. Travel forums are teeming with posts on the infamous ZTL tickets. The alcohol limit in Italy is .05%. You can go where you want, when you want. Choose the pump number you'll be using and follow the Italian instructions. 21 Nov, 8 days. However, since I know many of you are from the US, some tips are specific about renting a car in Italy as an American citizen. Make sure you get a confirmation in writing of the exact seat you are going to get. You can get gas, eat dinner, buy crayons, and use the restroom all in one stop. As a trusted name in the car rental industry for over six decades and more than 20,000 pick-up locations in Italy and around the world, Auto Europe is able to answer all of your Italy car rental questions. Ive used my years of experience driving here and renting cars as a travel guide, tourist, vacation planner, and resident to create this ultimate guide. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Main Car Rental Companies That Operate in Italy, Choose Automatic Transmission Whenever Possible, Be Strategic With Pick Up and Drop Off Locations, Documents Needed For Renting a Car and Driving Legally in Italy, Renting a Car and Driving in Italy with Children, Helpful Italian Car Rental & Driving Words to Know. Instead, use public transport Italys excellent network of trains, buses, and metro. Ciao and welcome to Mom in Italy. If so, there's also a ferry from Bellagio but about every 2 hours so not often at all. 7. If you prefer an automatic car, you really must make sure to organise your car in advance of arriving in Italy. Its helpful to keep the following in mind: Italian drivers often take rules and regulations as suggestions. Its not uncommon to see Italians blasting through crosswalks, speeding on all types of roads, pausing but not stopping at stop signs, and parking wherever they please. Simply hand the voucher to the car hire company as proof of your reservation. In fact, after having rented from Hertz in various European countries, I notice Hertz, as a rental agency, always asks for the IDP even if you are renting from a country that doesn't require one. Read our helpful guide to Parking in Italy (+ Parking Sign Translations)! Book in advance if you decide to use a car seat from the car rental agency the number of car seats can be limited. Also, dont follow your GPS blindly the ZTL may not be marked on its map. Car rentals in stations and airports usually have the longest opening hours and operate at weekends as well. What is your thoughts on insurance coverage on rental cars. Gas is more expensive in Europe than in the US. For instance, if you were planning on picking up a car in Rome, driving down to Campania, and then dropping off your car in Puglia, it may work out substantially more than dropping the car back off in Rome. Compared with the US, the cost of gasin Italy is very high. Save. This saves queuing time and can be invaluable if you are traveling by car extensively and need to pass toll booths many times. Re: Car Hire. Gas is expensive. If not, look for the word gasolio, which is the Italian word for diesel. While renting a car isnt necessary or even adviced if youre only visiting major tourists city (youcant even bring your rental car into old town Florence, and having a car in Rome is a very bad idea not just because of traffic but also because many main attractions are only accessible by foot anyway), if you want to see some off the path spots in the countryside its a must. It is essential for any non-EU that wishes to drive in Italy to acquire an International Drivers permit. Dont forget to arrange health insurance before heading to Italy. You can reach the main cities (Catania, Palermo, Siracusa, etc) by train, but they are often delayed and crowded. Theyre as common as one would say stop signs in the US. You never know what may happen and its best to prepare for the worst. You have a 5% leeway if the posted speed limit is 130, you will receive a fine if youre traveling over 136. You can purchase them at thousands of UK post offices. General travel insurance is just as important for your trip to Italy as your car rental insurance. Tell someone that youre considering renting a car in Italy and they will probably frown at you and look at you with a deep sense of concern. You must have basic CDW coverage for renting a car in Italy. While youll hear many Italians complain about the Safety Tutor, the driving deaths in Italy have dramatically decreased since its introduction. IMPORTANT:Almost all credit card companiesdont offer car rental insurance in Italy! If youve returned home, you can pay online. Can I still rent a car in Italy? Areas with a white line indicate free parking spots, while the yellow lines indicate residential parking spots. If you have a car that needs benzina, dont worry the nozzle of the diesel pump is larger, and it wont fit into your cars tank. You will receive a car hire voucher, along with your other holiday documents, about three weeks before your holiday. If you wont be back in the area, its best to use small bills or a credit card for the payment. Which Areas of Italy Should I Explore With a Rental Car? If someone driving towards you flashes his lights, hes not telling you your lights arent on. Dont cross borders in Europe without informing the car hire company first. Most car rental companies require a credit card when picking up the car. You will also need an International Driving Permit if you do not hold a mainland UK driving licence and a Green Card. It is important to note that some roads in Italy can be incredibly narrow. Drivers planning to rent a car under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Find flexible policies with our partners. Driving on the Amalfi Coast. Other rest stops that are similar to Autogrill include Sarni, Chef Express, Finifast, MyChef, and Ristop. You may choose to rent a car with car seat (s) or bring your own. Learning to drive a stick shift in Italy is not only undesirable; It can also be dangerous. Only a few have the train and only some are on day tour routes. Rent a car unless youll only be in Perugia. For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers: Urban areas: 31 mph (50 km/h) Rural areas: 55 mph (90 km/h) Dual Carriageways: 68mph ( (110km/h) Motorways: 80mph (130km/h) Unless indicated by road signs. Never enter the Autostrada without taking a ticket. Even if a tiny bit of gas is missing in the tank you will be charged for a full tank. In fact, Hertz will even offer a 10% discount and a free additional driver to all Saga customers who book via this link. The answer depends on where in Italy you want to go. I recommend against renting a car in Italy if you: Plan on visiting large cities such as Venice (car-free), Rome, Bologna, Florence, Milan or Naples. Reserve well in advance to guarantee youll get one. Usually, the cut-off is 70 or 75 years old depending on the provider. If you purchase from the links, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Europe loves roundabouts. This all depends on the size of the vehicle (larger are more expensive), make of the vehicle (BMW will cost more than FIAT), season of rental (autumn in Tuscany will be more expensive than winter), and even the rental car company. Your car will stop working and youll need to have the tank drained before you can continue your vacation. Unlimited mileage No amendment fees Coverage always included Exclusive discounts Car Categories View all hire car categories available at Felirent Rent a Car in Italy. Older children need to be secured to seats that are suitable for their age up to age 12. Legal requirements for renting a car in Italy To rent a car in Italy, you need to match the following requirements. The UK & Ireland are relatively unusual in allowing 17 year olds to drive - the legal driving age in the majority of European countries is 18. It is more expensive to have the attendant fill your tank (prices are posted), but it can be convenient as they often accept payment at the pump, and you can be on your way. You can also find LPG or gas in some stations. Most car rental companies require the driver to be at least 18. Inside youll find a full-service restaurant or snack bar, a mini-market (often with prosciutto legs, chunks of parmigiano, or other Italian delicacies), restrooms, and a shop with toys, maps, music, and more. Puglia YES Youll want to drive a car to explore the villages and beaches of Puglia and to search for the regions famous trulli. Yes, you can. Your car rental agent may roll his eyes, but make sure you do it! Not to mention, it will save you a fortune on gas! This is charged at no extra cost to you. The minimum age for hiring a car in Italy is 18, though some agencies might set a higher minimum age of 21, as well as restrictions for drivers under 25. You may walk a few more minutes, but you will avoid getting an ulcer from trying to find a parking spot and squeezing your car into a tiny space. For young car hirers, Sixt is offering a student discount for under 25s looking to hire a car - check out our Student Offers page. The legal driving age in Germany is 18, but usually, drivers have to be over 21 to rent a car. But the car we want specifically states ALL drivers must have had their permit for over a year. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Many roads and mountain passes in Italy are extremely narrow. Learn more in our post, Italian road signs Guide for Visitors (+ Photos). The easiest and most reliable travel insurance is Safety Wing. The most expensive month in which to hire a car is November with . Your friend needs an international permit anyway, to be able to drive in Italy, whether renting or not.He can also rent a car on the basis of this plus his national license, issued more than 12 months prior to the rental. If there is no such logo, chances are the seat is not EU standard and can cause problems in case of an accident. If you accidentally enter a ZTL zone it is probably not possible to just turn around again. Smaller, independent rental companies may also offer good prices. While I always rent an automatic car, its convenient to rent a car that has an option of both transmissions if youre traveling in the winter. Make sure you follow the rules of the road. We want to see some of the smaller towns and villages, so would rather drive than do trains. The main reasons not to rent a car in Italy are cost, stress and convenience. As mentioned by others, an IDP is required for Italy. There are several requirements for renting a car in Italy that you need to have in mind. Just trying to avoid the hassle. We are traveling from Milan to Lezzano, then to Venice, and then Florence. Italy. The minimum age to hire a car in Italy is 18 years, though some suppliers may charge a fee for young drivers (25 and under). With telepass, you drive through without stopping. Articles on this website may contain affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you. You also cant rely on maps with ZTLs marked the zones sometimes change. Saving you money for more than 15 years. She . The big rental company I have asked (Avis and EuropCar) seems to allow you to pickup from Rome and drop off in a Scilian city (like Ragusa). The best tools for navigating the roads in Italy are: I use a combination of all three but lean toward Google Maps because it seems to be updated more frequently than GPS software. Yet NONE of the car hire firms in Italy hire cars with winter tyres !!! Want to recreate scenes from Italian movies? However, following Brexit, they are now also classified as third-country nationals and also need to obtain IDPs. They offer competitive rates as it searches all the big car rental companies and finds the best price. What do you need to hire a car in Germany? I rented a car in Milan and drove off. Boosters might not always be available for rental . Renting a car in Italy may at first sound a little daunting. So, you might find that you can save hundreds of euros by slightly modifying your itinerary so that you travel in a loop. Also, lines to rent a car at Milan Malpensa Airport and Rome Fiumicino are consistently always long, regardless of the time of the year. Reduced speed limits also apply for new drivers and drivers under the age of 21. An International Drivers License is highly recommended. There is most likely a camera that takes a photo of your license plate and you may get a fine in the mail or through your rental company even if you dont get stopped. Below we have highlighted some of the essential information you'll need when driving in Italy. Its free if the space is marked with white paint or not marked at all. We compare a huge range of one-way and return car hire deals from over 20 leading rental companies. Read more. You can make it with public transport, but renting a car will be easier (assuming you'll have a parking spot at your hotel in Lezzeno) and you can always return it in Florence or even anywhere around Como. Airport pickups are available in most Italian cities but do keep in mind that sometimes it costs more to collect a vehicle from the airport rather than a city. (Driver must have had 1 year of driving experience prior to hiring a car. You will also need a Green Card which you can get from your insurance company. Plan on visiting Cinque Terre, very hard to visit by car for traffic and parking but swerved by an excellent train service. Dolomites a car is essential in most areas although trains and buses offer a good alternative in some locations. Born and raised in Rome, Marta has a passion for travel and especially enjoys showing off Italy to her kids, who are growing up to love it as much as she does! Its an area thats off-limits to all vehicles without an appropriate permit (like residents, taxis, and buses). For example, chest clips, which are common in many countries, are illegal in Italy. Seatbelts are required in front and back seats in Italy if the vehicle has them. If you just need a car for a Florence day trip, it may be cheaper and easier to rent a car with a driver (NCC noleggio con conducente). This does not seem to be as easy as expected. It depends! While this may well be the case in normal situations, the rules will come into play in case something unfortunate happens. Both manual and automatic cars are available for rent in Italy. Depending on the company, they may pay a premium until the age of 25.
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