Of course, you can travel to Italy by your own car, but we still recommend not to waste your precious vacation time and rent a car in Italy instead, so you can fully explore the country and visit small, less touristy towns.
Car rental prices in Italy start at 45 EUR per day for an economy-class car. We advise renting a car from major companies in Italy because smaller ones are often unreliable and may charge you for old damages to the vehicle.
Car rental conditions in Italy:
The driver must present a passport, a European-style driving license, and a credit card in their name.
The minimum age to rent a car in Italy is 25 years old (if you are 18–24 years old, you can use the "Young Driver" service, which requires an additional payment of 15 EUR per day).
Your driving experience must be at least one year.
At many major companies, a deposit amount will be blocked on your credit card during the rental period and will be immediately released provided the car is returned on time and undamaged.
Also, in most cases, payment for car rental can only be made with a credit card.
Key traffic rules in Italy:
At roundabouts, priority is given to those already circulating on the roundabout.
The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.5‰ (roughly equivalent to 0.5 L of beer). Even a slight excess can lead to a fine starting from 260 EUR.
Talking on the phone while driving is prohibited.
All highways in Italy are toll roads.
Speed limits in Italy are as follows: 130 km/h on toll highways, 110 km/h on secondary roads, and 50 km/h in urban areas.
Parking spaces are marked with wide white lines.
All drivers are required to have a reflective safety vest in the vehicle. Even small infractions like this can lead to fines in Italy.
Fuel prices in Italy are relatively stable. You can expect approximate prices as follows: 95 petrol — 1.90 EUR, 98 petrol — 2.10 EUR, diesel — 1.75 EUR. You can fill up your tank either by yourself or with the help of a station attendant, who may also offer to clean your windshield. Gas stations in Italy are comfortable rest stops where you can grab a snack or enjoy a cup of authentic Italian coffee. The most popular chains are Autogrill and Finigrill.
