Car Rental in Italy

Sixt Rent a Car in Italy

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What to Do in Italy in Summer 2019

What can be better than driving through the landscape of Italy in the summer? There is Tuscany with its wine and olive trees, or the stunning cliffs of the Cinque Terre on the northwestern coast. Drive through Rome or Florence to see iconic buildings and visit museums. Head to the southern part of Italy for beaches to cool off from the weather that will likely be in the upper 80s or 90s. Be aware that most places, especially the major cities, will be full of tourists during the summer months, but do not let that deter you. Join in with the locals and celebrate the national holiday Ferragosto, or Assumption Day, on August 15 with food, music and fireworks. There are also several music festivals like the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia. If you are traveling to Italy in August, be aware that many businesses close down for some or all of the month as residents head for the beach or take their own holiday.

Our Services

Our extensive fleet hosts a variety of car categories wiht up-to-date vehicles from leading brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW. On our online booking page you can tack on an array of recommended extras for an optimal driving experience. Some of our useful add-ons that you can include are GPS, additional driver coverage, child seats, and some branches have winter equipement like snow chains and ski racks. Booking your vehicle and optional features ahead of time can help you save money on your car rental in Italy.

What kind of vehicle is right for my trip?

• If you are in a densely populated city like Rome, you may find a compact city car like the Mini ideal for getting around.
• Our sedans are excellent for intercity travel as they offer a way to travel in comfort and style.
• An SUV or minivan is perfect for family or group travel as you have plenty of cargo and passenger space.
• A fun sports car or convertible can add some extra excitement to an Italian road trip.

What to Do in Italy in Winter 2019

Visit the top tourist destinations in Italy without the crowds when you travel in the winter. The weather will be cold in most of the country, and only about 60 degrees in December in Naples, but you can still enjoy museums like the Uffizi Gallery or Palazzo Pitti in Florence, or Galleria Borghese in Rome. In Venice, you can pop into the Doges Palace. Celebrate Epiphany in Rome on January 6, and in February you can celebrate Carnevale in Venice. The Italian Alps offer a wealth of ski resorts. If you plan on hitting the slopes, we recommend renting an SUV and adding ski racks and winter tires, if available. And if you need a break, winter is the perfect time to sit down for a plate of pasta and Italian espresso.

FAQs

Driver's license

In Italy you can use a driver's license from a non-EU country as long as no Visa has been entered in the passport or the renter has not been in Europe for longer than 6 months. If you have a Visa stamp and have been in Europe longer, you need to obtain a license from an EU country.

Age restrictions

There are different restrictions on which kind of rental car is available depending on your age. You can find out more during our online booking process. A surcharge is applicable for drivers under 25 years.

Payment Methods

Payments from all internationally recognized credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express are accepted. We do not accept prepaid cards or debit cards such as VISA electron. We calculate your deposit on arrival at your pick up location as it is dependent on your specific rental vehicle.

Accidents

If you have an accident please inform the police immediately even if rental car is only slightly damaged, the accident was self-inflicted or if no other vehicles were involved. In addition, any damage to the rental vehicle must be reported directly to Sixt during the rental period. There is a form for an accident report enclosed with the vehicle documents. You can use the European emergency number 112. Alternatively call 113 for police, 115 for the fire brigade and 118 for first aid.

Crossing Borders

You can cross borders with your rental car into most European countries. Restrictions may apply depending on the vehicle class. For more information on where you can travel with your Sixt rent a car in Italy see Rental Information page.

Driving Tips

Driving in Italy is an enjoyable experience due to its scenic countryside routes and well-maintained roads. The pace is much slower in the countryside than Italy's bustling major cities. In the cities you should expect more traffic, some difficulty finding a parking spot and lots of mopeds! For a better experience avoid the rush hour. Some excellent scenic routes in Italy include Bolzano to Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites and Montepulciano to Montalcino in Tuscany.

Here are some important tips for safely driving your car rental in Italy:

• Speed limits in normal traffic conditions are 130 km/h (80 mph) on motorways, 90 km/h (55 mph) outside built up areas and 50 km/h (30 mph) in built up areas.
• Like the rest of the mainland EU countries, driving is on the right side.
• Let vehicles overtake by keeping as far to the right as possible and not accelerating. Don't overtake in areas of reduced visibility such as on a hill, or round a bend.
• Seatbelts must be worn at all times.

Places of Interest

Top 4 Architectural Sights

Rome's Colosseum dates back to 80 AD and housed up to 80,000 spectators for its infamous gladiator contests. It is the largest amphitheater ever built and an iconic piece of architecture from Imperial Rome. Another one of Rome's many fantastically preserved ancient buildings is the Pantheon, which has been in continual use since its construction between 118 and 128 AD. The leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Italy's biggest tourist attractions, and is surrounded by many other beautiful examples of Romanesque architecture on the Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo). Murano, about a mile north of Venice, it is a series of seven islands connected by bridges over its eight channels. The area is famous for its glassmaking, which still thrives today after the glassmakers of Venice were forced to relocate in 1291.

Top 4 Natural Sights

Mount Vesuvius is best known for its devastating eruption in 79 AD that buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pompeii has been a top tourist destination for 250 years and the volcano's humpback peak towers over the city of Naples sitting just 5.6 miles away. Sardinia is an island in the Mediterranean featuring amazing rock formations, stunning beaches and spectacular ancient sites such as the Necropolis of Tuvixeddu in Cagliari. As a volcanic archipelago the Aeolian Islands have immensely fertile soil that enriches the diverse flora found on the islands. The islands are a popular tourist destination and attract over 200,000 visitors per year. A spa since ancient times, the hot springs of Saturnia reach a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius. These Tuscan hot springs form cascades and pools in which you can bathe in the therapeutic waters.

Popular Car Rental Locations in Italy

• Rome
• Milan
• Sicily
• Sardinia
• Torino
• Venice
• Bologna
• Florence
• Naples

Additional Sixt Services

• Luxury Car Rental Italy
• Convertible Rental Italy
• Minivan Rental Italy
• Passenger Van Rental Italy
• Long Term Rental Italy
• SUV Rental Italy