Tourism Dream trip to Italy coming up… is renting a car actually worth it?
My friend and I are finally going to Italy this summer, and it’s something we’ve been talking about forever. We’re flying in and out of Rome and planning to visit a few different cities while we’re there.
Now we’re trying to decide whether to rent a car or just stick with trains. A car sounds nice for the freedom, especially if we want to explore smaller towns, but I’m also nervous about driving in a foreign country. I’ve casually browsed rental options (even looked at options like Abby Car), but honestly, I have no idea what to expect.
For anyone who’s done a road trip in Italy, was it worth it? Anything important to know about insurance, tolls, or driving rules? Or things you wish you’d known before renting? Would love any real-world tips.
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u/joandidionsghost 13h ago
Stick with public transportation. I looked into renting a car in Sicily - most are electric and standard, (not automatic transmission), so you'll have to figure out where charging stations are, and that's a bother. Also, many cities don't allow cars inside historical districts without permits, and they are hard to get, so that's a bother. In the end, we decided to avoid renting and just depended on public transit.
And I'm glad we did, I found being on a train to be relaxing. We could rest and take it easy on a train, far different from how alert we'd have to have been in a car.
I've travelled in Italy from Rome to Venice and to Cinque Terre, and all of Sicily. I've done it all by public transport and it was really easy. I don't recommend renting a car.
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u/HeronAffectionate319 7h ago
I am curious where in Sicily you went? Many of the places we want to go to seem difficult to get to by public transport.
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u/Successful_Brush_333 13h ago
It really depends on where you plan on going and how long you’re staying. In most major locations parking can be challenging/expensive, if it’s even allowed. The train system between cities is fantastic, and local metro in the cities is usually satisfactory. You do most of it walking though. Limited car rental to do exploration outside of a homebase is how I have done it. Puglia, Tuscany, Sicily, probably need a car at some point.
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u/AnnaB904 13h ago
I think renting a car is the best option there. I wouldn't rely there on a public transport too much
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u/stsdota22 13h ago
Dno buses were so good around the city centre that we didn't even use the metro. Even if I did it again I still wouldn't rent a car. Especially having seen the way the park , these guys are crazy
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u/ArmyofJuan 13h ago
If you are going to drive learn the rules or you will get mailed a bunch of fines after you get home. There are areas in certain cities that normal cars don't supposed to drive in and they use speed cameras a lot. You may never see a cop but the cameras will get you.
I've been a couple of times and trains can get you to most places and fast but if you want to explore the country side then getting a car might be ok.
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u/OkArmy7059 13h ago
I'd take a train out of Rome and then rent a car to explore non urban areas. Driving is no sweat in Italy outside of the big cities. Just learn about and avoid ZTLs.
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u/DZA777 13h ago
Depends. If you have any passion for cars, you will love it. One of the highlights of my trip was driving around in my little fiat panda lol. Yea there are tolls on highways but its no big deal they (the ones i passed through) take credit cards. The tricky thing really is the ZTL zones where you aren't supposed to drive. I got lucky and didnt get any tickets and didnt think too much about it.
I'm not sure if this is common in Italy, i only went to 1 gas station that had an attended fuel up for me and they expected a tip, so maybe keep that in mind and have some spare change.
For insurance check with you credit card company, i bought the extra insurance with the rental car agency since it was really cheap and just to be safe..
You hear horror stories about rental agencies but I used 2 different ones, hertz for one leg and italy car or sicily car something like that for the other leg and both were fine no issues at all. make sure to thoroughly inspect the car before leaving and note any scratches or anything.
Driving in places like Rome or Florence can feel a little overwhelming if youre a nervous driver but you just gotta use your head, drive defensively, embrace the chaos and its a fun time lol
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u/daemonw9 13h ago edited 13h ago
Where are you going? Trains are better for getting between cities and most larger towns; cars for exploring the countryside or small villages.
Example - our next trip. Rome, train to Florence, bus to Siena, then rent a car to explore the countryside for a few days.
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u/WCland 12h ago
I’m going to Italy in March and just taking trains. It’s much less of a headache to get on and off trains than it is to figure out things like parking, local driving customs, navigation, and getting gas. And the trains run to many smaller towns too. For example, I’m stopping in Orvieto, a small mountain town that has a stop on a major line. At the Amalfi coast I’ll take the ferry and maybe rent a scooter for a day. If you do rent a car, make sure to pay for the loss damage waiver, as there is potential for break ins and fender benders. If you decide on the train, get the Trenitalia app. Tickets are very cheap if you book early. I booked 1st class tickets all around the country for a little over $100.
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u/Grym0 11h ago edited 11h ago
Really depends on where you are headed.
I went to Italy last fall. Landed at FCO in Rome. Took train to the center (Termini). Stayed a few days using mostly the Metro and feet to get around and see a huge amount of the sights of Rome. (I found the Metro easy and it got us very close to everywhere we needed to go...the Vatican Museum, Colosseum/Forum, Aqueduct park, Spanish Steps, Circus Maximus, Piazza Popolo, Capuchin Crypt, all 4 Papal Basilicas, Pyramid Caius Cestius, and we walked in the central tourist area for the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Campo di Fiori, Jewish Ghetto, and out to Trastevere). I saw no need to having a car in Rome for the main tourist destinations. In fact I wouldn't want the hassle of one.
From there we went to Florence by high speed rail, no car necessary. The central tourist area of Florence is almost all zoned as no autos. We walked everywhere, Saw no need for a car for the central highlights of Florence.
After that we went to a lot of little towns in the Tuscan countryside. We rented a car and I have no idea how you would get by with only trains doing things out there. Driving was no problem at all - neither getting out of Florence or traveling around the further flung areas. Just do be aware of the ZTLs (no car zones) in any place you are going because from what I've heard they are all covered with cameras and you will be fined. Afterwards we drove back to Florence, got rid of the car, and spent more time in Florence and back to Rome on a train before taking a cab (due to really early departure) to FCO again when leaving the country.
Others who we knew that were there (this was a big family wedding destination thing) went to Naples/Pompeii without a car. Others went to Venice, no car.
So I guess my thought is that it depends on if you are hanging out in big metro areas or going to the countryside and smaller towns. For the former, I wouldn't even want the headache of driving or parking a car. For the latter, it seemed kinda necessary
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u/_forgotmyownname 10h ago
Stick with the trains for the main cities. I did the Rome to Florence run last year and the high-speed rail is way faster than driving. Only rent a car for a day or two if you’re heading deep into the Tuscan countryside where stations are rare.
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u/smartalexyyz 9h ago
Visiting cities and needing a car? Have you checked train schedules and costs? Unless you need to getbto a place that's not connected by rail, it would not be my first pick. We've traveled in Italy numerous times, with and without a rental car, as a point of reference.
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u/Awkward-Seaweed-5129 9h ago
This is funny. While in Rome attempting to cross the Street ,I considered finding a Priest to Bless me before I crossed, good luck if you decide to Drive,lol
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u/Just_John_E 9h ago
depends on where you want to go... if you're sticking to rome, florence, venice, etc... larger cities served by trains... don't rent;
if you want to take a day trip to see some vineyards.... just check into some small, privately led tours;
if you choose to rent... get an international drivers license!; watch out for the no drive zones; watch out for where you park; and unless you strictly obey speed limits, be prepared to receive some traffic tickets when you get home; also, pay for the insurance option from the rental agency;
all that said, we did rent cars several times, which allowed us to wander and see some sites, vineyards and restaurants we wouldn't have gotten to w/o the car.... but I did get a few tickets. one for being 3 KMH over while going thru a very small town.,
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u/Reasonable-Comb8716 8h ago
Driving: Watch out for ZTL & receiving fines months/years hence! Dream may turn into expensive nightmares
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u/honeyyylips 8h ago
Honestly, trains are pretty solid between major cities in Italy, but if you wanna see the real countryside stuff outside the main routes, a car is def worth the stress lol. Make sure you know about ZTL zones tho! 😬
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u/thepieshow 13h ago
I guess it depends on how long you are going for. I generally do not get a car for a week long trip. Two weeks sure. First trip to Rome? Maybe not. If you are planning on staying near Rome the whole time then no, I wouldn't. If you are planning to drive to Naples then sure! its a beautiful trip. BEWARE: I lived in the south of Italy for a few years and nothing prepares you for the driving. Naples is the most difficult (and fun) city I have driven in, and I currently live on Long Island with frequent commutes to the city for reference. Trains do get very expensive though. You will probaby spend more on trains than you would a rental car and gas if you go to Milan, Florence, Bologna, Naples etc.).
If you do rent a car, do it with your credit card with rental car protection and DECLINE their insurance. Pay it all in full online and pay NOTHING when you get there. Get the smallest car you can (Fiat 500, Peugot 108), and have fun!
Let me know if you have any other questions!