Travel Guide: Driving And Renting a Car In Italy

Renting a car for vacation in Italy is a great idea. We’ve visiting Italy twice and both times have rented cars. The process is much the same as anywhere else. Make a reservation, show up, receive a car. There are a few things to look out for, but for the most part, renting a car in Italy is easy. The major rental car brands all have a presence in Italy. Italy drives on the right, just like the rest of continental Europe, the US, and Canada.

Traveling around Italy without a car is also easy, but you’ll be in the larger cities. If you want to explore some smaller towns, you’ll need a car. If you do rent a car, you might want to avoid the larger cities, parking and navigating the ZTL is not fun and can end with an expensive fine. Anyway, yes, you should rent a car in Italy.

In This Guide

1 :Travel Guide: Driving And Renting a Car In Italy

     1.1: Renting A Car In Italy

     1.2: International Driving License for Italy

     1.3: Rental Car Insurance Italy

     1.4: Driving A Manual Transmission

     1.5: Italy Autostrada Tolls

     1.6: Italy ZTL-Zona Traffico Limitato

     1.7: Parking In Italy

     1.8: Driving In Italy Tips

     1.9: Italy Rental Car Driving Final Thoughts

Renting A Car In Italy

Renting a car, in Italy, is not necessary, but if you’re getting out of the large cities, having a car will greatly simplify the process. Italy has a good system of both long distance high speed trains and slower local intercity trains. These trains are great for covering long distances or taking day trips to popular destinations. However, there are towns that don’t have train stations and getting to them will be difficult or impossible without a train.

When we rent a car in Italy, I use a name brand that I recognize. Not that smaller brands aren’t trustworthy, but larger brands are usually easier to contact incase things go wrong. They are also more likely to have a better selection and hours. At airports, the rental car counters will be open at regular hours, early morning to late evening to accommodate all the flights. Smaller local rental offices and those at train stations will probably close for 2 hours over lunch. Keep that in mind for your arrival and departure times.

The rest of the rental car process is exactly the same as anywhere else. Show your ID, do a walk around, take the keys, and you’re off. Nothing hard about that.

International Driving License for Italy

Do you need an International Driving Permit for Italy? Technically, yes. Is it actually require? In my experience, no you don’t need it. I’m not going to tell you it’s legal to drive in Italy without an IDP, because you can be sighted and fined for not carrying it while you drive. But the rental car companies will not ask for it when you pick up your car, a passport and my South Carolina Drivers License is all I needed. On another trip I had my IDP, they also accepted that.

Rental Car Insurance Italy

The world of rental car insurance is complicated. Adding in another country doesn’t make it easier. Liability wavers from the rental car companies can be expensive. Many credit cards cover an auto rental collision damage waiver. Mine does, so armed with a letter of coverage from my credit card, I declined all of the optional coverages offered by the rental car company.

It is very important to understand what is and what is not covered. Always read your own benefits guide from your particular card provider. Do not trust what you read on blogs or in other reviews. Read the guide for yourself. If you have questions, contact your card provider.

Driving A Manual Transmission

The cheapest rental cars in Italy, and most of Europe, are manual transmissions. If you cannot drive a standard shift car, make sure you reserve an automatic. Don’t just assume that you’ll get an automatic and Italy is not the place to learn how to drive one.

Italy Autostrada Tolls

Much of the Autostrada uses tolls. It’s an easy system that accepts credit cards. Sometimes you take a ticket when you enter and hold it until you exit. When you exit another ticket machine will accept the ticket and you pay the toll with a credit card or cash. Other’s just charge a flat rate, this can again be paid by credit card. Tap to pay is common and is the easiest option.

The tolls are not cheap. For example, the tolls between Venice and Milan are about 20EUR. But it’s better than taking the B roads.

Italy ZTL-Zona Traffico Limitato

Most Italian cities have ZTL -Zona Traffico Limitato -Limited Traffic Zone. What is a ZTL: These are areas that are only for residents of the town to drive. The ZTL protect historic city centers from being overrun with traffic. Some hotels are within the ZTL, to get to those hotels, you’ll need to contact the hotel directly and let them know. They will handle the paperwork with the local government so that you won’t get a fine.

If you do accidently enter a ZTL, leave, you might get away with it. If you linger or push further, you’re likely to receive fine in the mail. The ZTLs are well marked and will always have a way out. Outside of various ZTLs you’ll usually find parking. Some is free, others are paid.

Parking In Italy

Parking in Italy isn’t too difficult to understand. The most common parking is a standard parking lot, these can be both paid and free. They are marked with a sign with a “P” and have blue or white lines on the ground. Blue Lines means it’s a paid parking area, White Lines mean it’s free. Paid parking is usually done via a machine or a parking meter.

Street parking also uses the same color scheme. Blue lines are paid parking, white lines are free parking. There are also signs that denote different times and days of the week. Very easy to understand those signs. Another sign you might run into is parking disk. In these areas, you put a parking disk into your window with the time you arrived, you then have a limited amount of time to park. This is marked on the sign. Just like a chalked tire in a city, these are monitored.

The easiest form of parking, but most expensive is to find a private parking garage. They’ll take your money and let you park. Super easy but can be expencive.

Driving In Italy Tips

Italy has a reputation of difficult driving. I’ve never had that experience, but there are some things to keep in mind. Italy drives on the right and the driver sits on the left, just like in North America.

The cities are hectic, the street signs are more of a suggestion than anything else. The road lines are also just suggestions, expect people to change lanes randomly, it’s just part of driving. When driving in cities, you must be vigilant, but there’s something fun about the chaos of the whole situation. Be respectful, but intentional when driving in Italian cities.

On the Autostrada, lane discipline is important. You must use the right hand lane unless you are passing. Riding in the left lane is illegal and you’ll inevitably end up with someone right on your ass flashing their lights so that you’ll get over and out of the way. The Autostrada also has lots of speed cameras, the locals know where these are and know to slow down, you don’t. Keep close to the speed limit and you won’t have any issues.

In Italy, it’s not uncommon for gas stations to close for lunch. In small towns this is more prevalent. The Autostrada service stations don’t have that issue, they are open pretty much all hours of the day. If you want to use the self service payment gas pumps, you’ll need a chip and pin card. Otherwise you’ll need to have the attendant turn on the pumps and pay once you’re done fueling. In Italy Gasoline/Petrol is called Benzina. Diesel fuel is called Gasolio. Don’t get them confused or you’ll have a bad time. Many full service gas stations exist in Italy, they’ll get it right.

The service stations along the Autostrada often have an AutoGrill, this is a great place to grab a sandwich or coffee while you’re on the road. No, it’s not as good as a regular café, but for a roadside stop, it’s pretty damn good.

Italy Rental Car Driving Final Thoughts

If you’re visiting Italy, a rental car is a great way to see sights outside of the cities. If your main goal is to visit the large cities such as Rome, Florence, or Milan I would skip the car. It’s not worth the hassle of parking and dealing with ZTLs. If your trying to get out of the main cities and visit some small towns, you’ll probably want a car.

Renting a car is easy, just pay attention to the insurance options and what coverage you have with your credit card. If you cannot drive a manual transmission, make sure you spend the extra money on an automatic. When refueling, make sure you use the correct type of fuel, the names are different than what you would expect.

The Autostrada is an easy way to get around, but does have tolls, you can pay them by credit card. When parking pay attention to the signs and painted lines on the ground. Driving in Italy can be a little hectic but is really fun.