Car Rental Italy Guide
Car Rental in Italy is undoubtedly the best way to explore the secret places, quaint country villages and out of the way hill towns of the Italian countryside. Unless of course you are great on a bike!
Trains in Italy are excellent and affordable but they're really only ideal if you are visiting the major cities and towns.
To really discover Italy and have a holiday of a lifetime, you need to base yourself in a country town, in the heart of the Italian countryside, and rent a car. These are the type of places I recommend.
If you are going to be visiting only cities like Rome, Turin, Naples or Venice then you are better off without a car rental anyway. The traffic in the major Italian cities is scary, with Naples being by far the worst.
However, should you decide to drive in Rome, Milan etc. you'll need to know where the restricted driving zones are in order to avoid huge fines - here are the essential maps and vital information on all the main ones.
In Venice you'll find driving a little difficult... unless your car floats!
Who to Rent With?
When it comes to car rental in Italy I have tried a variety of car hire companies. Some are good and some are very bad.
Most of the big names like Avis and Budget have always provided me with good service and, while not always the cheapest, they are reliable and you're unlike to encounter any nasty surprises.
The option I now use when travelling is Auto Europe - in my experience they offer the best car rental rates In Europe.
I had a nightmare in the past when I rented a car from a very cheap and very tiny car rental company and ... long story really... less said the better. The moral of the story is don't make the same mistake.
My personal advice is to hire your car before you arrive as rates are normally better doing it this way and you have more choice of cars. Stick to one of the better known car rental companies too.
Please Book with Us...
Like us? Why not support me and Maria.
All you need do is book via the search box below, or any of the hotel links elsewhere on the website. It can be for travel to Italy... or anywhere else on earth.
You'll get the best deal available and the income we receive helps us to:
- Stay independent and to keep bringing you the best of Italy.
- Never have to accept money from hotels directly - meaning that we can share only those we genuinely love.
Recent Articles
-
Stromboli Erupts. One Dead!
Jul 04, 19 04:48 AM
A hiker was killed when Stromboli unexpectedly erupted yesterday. Efforts are under way to evacuate 70 people from the island, which is located off the coast of Sicily.
-
An Italian Butcher's Tale from Sarnano
Jul 03, 19 03:23 AM
There is a macelleria inside the gates of Sarnano, an Italian butcher shop, the subject of our interest. The couple who run it are old, the store is old. The store is at and in the old wall. The meat…
-
Living in Sarnano
Jul 02, 19 06:49 AM
Our apartment in Sarnano, Le Marche, Italy, is in the Centro Storico, the historic center, The windows look out at the mountains and a small cortile(courtyard) in which we take our morning coffee and…
-
Subscribe to A Secret Italy
Jun 25, 19 03:59 AM
Become a part of the Secret Italy Club. Membership is open for a short while longer and we'd like you to be a part of the family.
-
Homemade Lasagna - An Authentic Italian Recipe
Jun 03, 19 07:03 AM
A delicious authentic homemade lasagna recipe.This is the way my Italian nonna-in-law cooks it and I can tell you it is great...
-
The Perfect Italian Itinerary
May 30, 19 07:11 AM
Planning a trip to Italy? Then you really need to read our Italian itinerary before you book a single thing.
Support Us Via Our Sponsors
We earn a small % on purchases Made via our website. it Costs you not A cent more.
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.