How to find a cheap car rental deal in Italy
Pick up a cheap rental car in Italy from RM24 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching trusted rental companies, making it easy to compare prices and book.
Longer adventures offer better value, starting at RM166 for a weekly rental.
Explore the range of car rentals in Rome. This is where you'll find the cheapest rides in Italy.
Milan is the most popular city for car rentals.
Browse the deals from Drivalia when narrowing down your options. It's chosen by more people than any other company in Italy.
Collect your ride from the airport if you're flying in. Rome Fiumicino Airport, Milan Malpensa Airport and Milan Linate Airport offer car rental pickup locations either at the terminal or close by.
Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples and Catania are among the most convenient cities to pick up a set of wheels.
Book a one-way rental and you could pay less. If a city is short on vehicles, providers often lower prices to encourage returns there. Select 'Return car to a different location' to find those cheaper routes.
Planning a multi-week rental? It might be cheaper to book a full month, so test a few date combinations to find out what works best.
To avoid extra costs, pick a vehicle that comes with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll collect it with a full tank and return it full, so you're only paying for the fuel you use.
Unlimited mileage lets you focus on the journey rather than the odometer. Check for this feature under the 'Policies' filter and cover more ground without added fees.
Best time to book a car rental in Italy
Get the timing right and book about one week ahead to score the best price on a car rental in Italy.
Time your visit for November to take advantage of average daily rates of RM231. This is the most affordable month to rent a car.
August is typically the most expensive time of year.
Compare car rental types in Italy
Economy: Hit the road in one of these and keep your travel budget on track. Lower daily rates and impressive fuel efficiency mean you spend less overall while still getting a smooth, easy-to-handle ride.
Small: This category covers mini and economy cars that focus on doing the basics well. Compact dimensions, fuel-efficient engines and easy manoeuvrability make it a reliable choice when looking for a cheap rental car in Italy.
Medium: If you need something more spacious without going all out, this hits the mark. Medium rentals offer more room for people and luggage, as well as a nice balance of efficiency and performance. You'll find compact and intermediate models here.
Large: More people, more gear, more plans. Large cars offer extra passenger space and increased luggage capacity, making them an ideal match for families and longer drives. Choose one of these full-size rides when room is non-negotiable.
SUV: These sport utility vehicles are ready for whatever your itinerary throws at you. Their capability across different terrain makes them a reliable pick for road trip plans that develop as you go. An elevated seating position gives you a clearer view ahead, helping you feel more in control.
Van: This type of car for rent in Italy includes commercial vans and trucks. With ample carrying capacity and flexible interior layouts, they're built to transport bulky items, equipment or larger groups in one go.
Luxury: Hit the road in ultimate style. Combining striking design, advanced technology, and performance built for precision and power, these vehicles redefine the rental experience.
Insurance and optional extras
Choosing excess insurance for your rental car can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of a collision or theft. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so give them a quick comparison.
From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can seriously upgrade your ride. Think about which extras will suit your needs when you rent a car in Italy.
Driving in Italy: What you need to know
The minimum age to rent a vehicle in Italy is generally 21 years old. Providers may have their own rules, so always read your rental company's policy to see what applies to you.
Planning a trip with the kids? Car seat regulations differ from place to place, and the best setup may depend on their age, height and weight. Be sure to add the right one to your car rental reservation in Italy.
Come prepared to make pick-up as quick as possible. You'll generally need your physical driver's licence (no screenshots) and a second photo ID. Also bring along a credit card with room for the security hold. If anything extra is required, you'll find it in your booking.
Driving in Italy can seem unfamiliar if it's your first time. Don't forget all vehicles travel on the right side of the road.
Local speed limits can vary, but it's normally around 45kph in urban areas and 125kph or so on highways. Always go with what's posted on the road signs.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in Italy. The most reliable way to be safe to drive is to avoid drinking completely.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) on your trip here. Along with your credit and debit cards, consider taking some cash for minor purchases.
The language most widely spoken in this country is Italian.
Where to road trip in Italy?
Italy is easy to explore by car, with major rental hubs in Rome, Milan and Florence, plus airport pickup points like Rome Fiumicino Airport and Milan Malpensa Airport. If you're planning car rental in Italy, these routes show how different pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types can shape your journey.
History and Culture: Ancient Roads of Lazio and Campania
Pick up your car in Rome and head south through Lazio into Campania, following a region dense with ancient sites and historic hill towns. It's a strong choice for history-focused travellers who want to cover meaningful ground without long drives between stops each day.
Recommended car: Compact sedan.
Suggested pickup point: Rome Fiumicino Airport.
Good for: History enthusiasts, couples, first-time visitors to Italy.
Road conditions: Well-maintained highways, narrow town-centre streets, winding provincial roads.
Best time to go: April or October for smaller crowds.
Trip length: Five to seven days.
Key stops: Pompeii, Caserta.
Food and Wine: The Heart of Tuscany and Umbria
Pick up your car in Florence and drive south through the rolling countryside of Tuscany and into Umbria, passing vineyards, olive groves and medieval hilltop towns along the way. This route suits travellers who want a relaxed pace with short daily drives and easy access to local producers and markets.
Recommended car: Compact sedan.
Suggested pickup point: Florence city centre.
Good for: Food lovers, couples, slow travellers.
Road conditions: Paved provincial roads, unpaved rural tracks between estates, gentle hill climbs.
Best time to go: September or October for harvest season.
Trip length: Six to eight days.
Key stops: Montalcino, Orvieto.
Coastal: The Ligurian Coast to the Amalfi Shore
Pick up your car in Genoa and follow the coast south, tracing a long arc of cliff roads and fishing villages down toward the western coast of Campania. The driving is scenic but demands attention on narrow cliff-edge stretches, making it best suited to confident drivers comfortable with tight coastal roads.
Recommended car: Small hatchback.
Suggested pickup point: Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport.
Good for: Couples, adventure seekers, coastal road enthusiasts.
Road conditions: Narrow coastal roads, cliff-edge switchbacks, well-maintained urban seafront routes.
Best time to go: May or June before peak summer traffic.
Trip length: Seven to ten days.
Key stops: Cinque Terre, Positano.
Weather and driving conditions in Italy
Weather
Italy follows four seasons: spring and fall bring mild, occasionally wet weather across most of the country, while summer turns hot and dry, especially in the south and on the islands. Winter is cold and snowy in the north and the Alpine regions, but stays mild and wet along the southern coasts and in Sicily and Sardinia.
Fog is a real factor in the Po Valley, so drop your speed and use low-beam headlights rather than full brights when visibility closes in. Snow can catch you off guard on Alpine passes and through the Apennines, so check conditions before heading into higher elevations and carry chains if required. Rain is common across the country and can make road markings harder to read, especially at night, so give yourself extra stopping distance. Driving in Italy in summer means dealing with intense heat on longer stretches, so keep water in the car and take breaks to stay alert.
Driving conditions
Italy's motorways are well-maintained and connect the country efficiently, but you'll pay tolls on most stretches. Head south or onto Sicily and Sardinia for your road trip in Italy and you'll encounter narrower rural roads with uneven surfaces.
Italian cities are dense with one-way streets, limited traffic zones known as ZTL areas, and very limited parking. Scooters and motorcycles move unpredictably through traffic, and city centre roads are often narrow and congested. {NS} Rural roads in Italy can narrow quickly, especially through hill towns and vineyard regions. Signage is generally clear on main routes but can be sparse on smaller back roads, and gas stations are less frequent the further you travel from larger towns.
Wild boar are the most common animal hazard on Italy's rural roads, particularly in wooded areas like Tuscany and the Apennines. They're most active at dawn and dusk, so extra alertness pays off then.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
Whether you're going far or keeping it local, the right stay can make all the difference when you've put in the miles. Once you've booked your car rental in Italy, explore hotels in Milan if you're passing by this major stop. It's also easy to find Rome accommodation options or browse places to stay in Venice as you plan the rest of your route.
