Rent a Car in Rome

Tips for renting a car in Rome

While Rome’s historic center is best explored on foot and through public transportation, renting a car in Rome is an excellent option for travelers planning to explore the Italian countryside and regions beyond the capital. A rental vehicle provides the flexibility to visit medieval towns, coastal destinations, vineyards, and scenic regions throughout central and southern Italy.

Major rental companies including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Sixt, Sicily by Car, Maggiore, and Locauto operate at Fiumicino Airport, Ciampino Airport, and various locations throughout the city. Airport pickup locations generally offer the widest vehicle selection and the most competitive rates. Compact vehicles are particularly popular due to Italy’s narrow streets and limited parking in historic areas.

A rental car allows travelers to easily explore destinations such as Florence, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Siena, San Gimignano, Orvieto, Assisi, Pompeii, Cinque Terre, and the vineyards of central Italy. Many visitors combine Rome with scenic road trips through Tuscany and Umbria, enjoying landscapes, hilltop villages, and local culinary experiences.

Driving in Rome itself can be challenging due to traffic congestion, restricted traffic zones (ZTL), limited parking, and narrow streets. For this reason, many travelers choose to pick up their rental car only when leaving the city. Once outside Rome, Italy’s highway network provides excellent access to many of the country’s most iconic destinations.