Best Places to Rent a Car in Italy : Airport vs City vs Train Station Pickups

• Posted on: 20th February 2026
• Posted by: David Matthew

Whatever your reason for renting a car, choosing the right pickup location in Italy is as important as choosing the right vehicle, especially when it can add or save a hundred dollars or so on the booking cost.

Airport bookings are convenient, making them a preferred pickup location for most travellers. Others like to pick up from a city centre supplier branch for cheaper rates, while some arrive via train and collect the car from the station itself for the rest of the journey. But finding the best place to hire a car in Italy also requires one to consider factors such as when to book, local surcharges, ZTLs, and how they plan to explore the country.

This blog covers average prices and practical aspects of renting a car at airports, in cities, and at train stations in Italy. Compare these options against your travel requirements and book a suitable, affordable option for your next visit.

✈️ Airport Car Rental in Italy

Airports offer quick and easy pickups upon arrival, along with longer opening hours and larger vehicle fleets. Travellers at most airports can rent cars from suppliers operating from on-site counters and nearby branches. Some even provide complimentary shuttle transfers, so those with heavy luggage or mobility issues can travel easily to and from an off-site supplier office.

Hiring a car directly at the airport can particularly benefit travellers planning road trips, exploring the countryside, or traveling between regions. Below are some popular airport locations where an economy car can be hired for an average of €35 – €80 per day. Needless to say, rates can exceed €100 per day during peak travel season or when booked at the last minute.

• 🗸 Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
• 🗸 Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
• 🗸 Pisa International Airport (PSA)
• 🗸 Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)

Pros and Cons of Renting a Car at the Airport

When to Choose Airport Pickups

• For comfortable transfers when travelling with children or heavy luggage
• To avail after-hours services if you’re arriving early in the morning or late at night 
• To start a road trip as soon as you land, for instance, to attend a wedding, a special event, or a business meeting

🏙️ City Centre/Downtown Car Rentals in Italy

Travellers already staying in town can choose a nearby city centre location instead of renting at the airport. A majority of the local suppliers serve from downtown offices, which is usually more cost-effective and convenient for one-way travel between cities. The fleets they provide are mainly vehicles suited to local roads and traffic conditions.

This means one can hire a localised mobility solution, including the highly sought-after economy car, at an average daily rate of €25-€60. Besides other notable tourist attractions in Italy, you can make a reservation in the following cities for hassle-free pickups:

• 🗸 Rome
• >🗸 Milan
• 🗸 Florence
• 🗸 Bologna

Pros & Cons of Hiring a Car in City Centres

⚠️ ZTL Rules and Parking in City Centre

Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL) or Limited Traffic Zones are restricted areas in almost all major Italian cities. Each entry into a ZTL without the required permits can incur fines of €80-€300, or more.;

Even permitted vehicles may drive in these zones during the periods specified on the ZTL signs, often indicated by a white circle with a red outline. Before hiring a car near historic city centres in cities like Florence or Rome, you must confirm the correct pickup route and exit from the supplier to avoid a ZTL fine.

Parking spaces in Italy are marked with blue, white, and yellow lines to specify paid, free, and reserved spots, respectively. There are also underground or private parking services near crowded attractions, which you can easily reach on foot. 

Parking in blue-lined spaces usually costs around €1-€2.50 an hour. Yellow parking bays are reserved for local vehicles; tourists are not allowed to park there. It’s always wise to check the entry signs to confirm any time restrictions, even if you find an empty spot in free white-lined parking.

When City Pickups are Cheapest

• For staying 2–3 days in the city before driving off to your next destination
• Booking for 5 days or longer travel plans, as the per-day costs are usually discounted for weekly and monthly rentals
• Booking a car (of almost any type) in the off-season or shoulder travel season

🚉 Train Station Car Rentals in Italy

The Italian rail network is a low-cost yet fast way to move from one city to another without having to deal with traffic. Hiring a car at a train station is a great option for travellers who prefer not to use on-airport pickups or city centre collections, as it avoids the hassle of entering restricted ZTL areas. It saves them time, which they can utilise for the rest of their road trip.

The average daily rental price for an economy car at an Italian train station starts from €30-€70 for the most part. Meaning that deals here are cheaper than airports but somewhat higher than city or downtown pickups. A self-drive hired vehicle can take you to places where a train may not, including but not limited to Volterra, Lake Como, and the Appian Way. Search for available deals to book a desired car for a comfortable road trip from the following railway stations:

• 🗸 Rome Termini
• 🗸 Milan Centrale
• 🗸 Florence Santa Maria Novella

Pros and Cons of Renting a Car at a Train Station

Why Rent a Car at Train Stations

• For comfortable road trips to different parts of Tuscany and the countryside from Florence
• To plan an itinerary that combines the speed of the local rail network to traverse within cities, and the freedom to move at your will, with a vehicle available at all times
• Explore remote attractions, which are often either missed or unreachable by public transport 

*The figures are merely estimates that change depending on individual renter preferences, such as car type, booking period, location, supplier, and additional factors. Enter your travel details in the booking form to know the accurate quotes for available deals.

💰 What Could Cost You Extra

The following charges are generally added to the base rental price of a deal. You can refer to the price breakdown on the booking summary page before finalising the reservation.

➜ Airport Surcharge

An additional fee (usually included in the deal) is charged by suppliers operating at airports. The exact amount of the airport surcharge varies by location and covers higher operational and concession costs for the supplier. This is another reason for higher rental costs at airports than for city centre bookings.

➜ One-Way Return Fee

Hiring a car for pickup at one location and returning it at a different location incurs an additional drop-off fee. The fee is mainly based on your chosen one-way route, car type, and supplier policies. It’s often included in the quoted deal, but the supplier can also charge it separately.

➜ Young Driver Fee

Rental companies charge a daily fee of about €10–€25 for bookings by young drivers, generally those under 25. Given that driver requirements vary among suppliers, you can find the exact fee in the relevant terms and conditions before booking.

➜ Additional Driver Fee

Adding one or more extra drivers to drive a car during the rental period requires an additional driver fee (often per day, sometimes a flat rate). Some deals may also allow a first additional driver at no extra cost.

➜ Late Return Charges

Returning the car after the scheduled drop-off time can cost you an additional hourly fee or a full-day rental. Some suppliers may allow a short grace period of about an hour. Since this is not standard practice, you should adhere to supplier drop-off policies in the contract to avoid additional fees.

➜ ZTL Fines

ZTLs (Zona a Traffico Limitato) are restricted traffic areas where unauthorised vehicles are not permitted by law. A ZTL fine is issued for each unauthorised entry. This fine, along with an administrative processing fee, is charged by the supplier even if you return to your home country.

➜ Fuel Policy

Travellers are usually offered rental cars with a Full-to-Full fuel policy. To that end, they must return the car with a full tank, as received at pickup. Some suppliers may also offer a Same-to-Same policy or other options. In any case, a refuelling fee and service charge apply if the car is returned with missing fuel.

➜ Cross-border Restrictions

Cross-border travel from Italy to neighbouring EU countries may be allowed by some suppliers after prior approval. For that, not all car types may be allowed for cross-country rental. An additional fee and insurance coverage may also be required.

Useful Tips to Book the Cheapest Car Rentals in Italy

• If your trip is 6 to 8 days long, a weekly rental can sometimes cost less per day than a series of individual daily bookings.
• Book at least 4 to 6 weeks before your travel dates to get lower-than-average daily rates.
• City centre car hire is generally cheaper than airport bookings, which bring about an additional surcharge.
• Choose a car with a manual transmission if you’re comfortable driving it. Automatic cars can cost about €7–€15 more per day.
• Read the insurance policy thoroughly to understand what’s already covered in the deal. You can then choose an additional full coverage to reduce the excess amount if needed.
• Opt for a Full-to-Full fuel policy to avoid refuelling charges and service fees for missing fuel at drop-off.
• Compare different one-way routes to know drop-off fees, which vary by pickup and return locations.