Renting a Car in Rome – All You Need to Know

Renting a car at the airport upon arrival in Rome is a great idea only if the primary purpose of your trip is to explore the small towns in the surroundings.

Moving between Rome’s sights by car is not recommended and will lead to fines and unpleasant consequences.

Let’s understand all the features of car rental in Rome.

FAQ about renting a car in Rome, Italy

What is the Best Way to Rent a car in Rome, Italy?

It is most advantageous to rent a car in advance online and pick it up immediately upon arrival at one of the airports in Rome – Fiumicino  (FCO) or Ciampino (CIA).

For traveling in Italy, I recommend small cars with automatic transmissions.

If you are not a regular customer of any car rental company, it is a great idea to use the Rentalcars.com service to compare prices from different suppliers.

How Often do Rental Car Rates Change?

The cost of renting a car in Rome depends very much on the time of year. For example, during the summer (high season), renting a crossover car with an automatic transmission will cost about 700 euros; in the low season, renting will cost you only about 100 euros.

And, of course, the price of renting a car is greatly influenced by how much in advance you make a reservation. At the last moment, or a few days before the trip, prices will rise several times. On the other hand, many companies allow free cancellation, so reserving a car as soon as you buy your plane tickets makes sense.

Pay Attention to the Number of Reviews

When choosing a car for rent in Italy, the first thing you should pay attention to is the number of reviews and the average rating of the supplier’s company according to the reviews of tourists. I advise you to choose car suppliers with a score of at least 8 and more than 100 reviews.

I usually turn on the filter for the best companies. Just check the boxes next to the companies with the highest rating (Alamo, Locauto).

Be sure to look at the manufacturer’s official website for the specification of the car’s trunk that you like.

For example, a Toyota Yaris Hybrid trunk can fit 4 hand luggage suitcases, but not a large luggage suitcase.

Important Deal Information

Be sure to check out the Important Deal Information section:

• Driver & license requirements
• Security Deposit, usually from €200 to €500.00, which the main driver will leave at pick-up.
• Accepted cards. For example, MasterCard or Visa.
• Damage Excess.
• Fuel Policy
• Mileage. Usually, Your rental includes unlimited free kilometers.

You should also scroll down the window and click on the Full Rental Terms section.

To be sure and not worry about anything, it makes sense to take additional insurance, which costs about 10 euros per day (70 euros per week).

At the final step, to complete the car booking, it is enough to enter your first name, last name, email, contact phone number, country of residence, and credit card details.

Speeding Fines in Italy

When driving a car on the roads of Italy, you can get a fine if you exceed the speed limit by 10 km / h. The amount of the penalty starts from 42 euros and can reach 3389 euros.

The table below shows the size of the fine and the number of demerit points for various speeding.

If you violate the speed limit while driving a rental car, the fine can be deducted from your credit card even after a few months.
I strongly recommend respecting the speed limit, even if you notice that local drivers are violating it.

Tips for Driving in Rome

1. Never leave things inside the car, even in the trunk, when parking.
2. Pay close attention to the signs and do not enter the restricted traffic zone.
3. Watch local drivers and learn from them – that is the only way you will have a chance to avoid accidents.
4. Look very carefully in the mirror. There are a lot of mopeds and scooters on the roads of Rome, and they can suddenly appear and start overtaking you both on the right and the left side.

If you have any questions about booking a car rental in Rome, you can ask them in the comments. I will also be happy to help you plan your holidays in Rome and other Italian cities.

Author: Artur Jakucewicz

I have lived in Rome for over 10 years and am glad to share my experience and knowledge. I love ancient history and architecture — author of travel guides in Italy for independent travelers.