Everything About Renting a Car in Rome
- Posted on: 24th November 2025
- Posted by: Charles William
Renting a car in Rome is the ideal way to explore the Eternal City and the surrounding countryside regions of Tuscany, Umbria, and Puglia. The iconic city streets can be overwhelming at first, but having your own vehicle makes it easier for you to visit attractions near and far. And to make your journey even smoother, this guide presents useful information on local driving rules, rental prices, practical tips, and more to help you book the right car for your travel needs in Italy.
🚘 Should You Rent a Car in Rome?
A car hire in Rome can prove highly useful for travellers planning day trips or moving further through Italy. They can easily access countryside towns, vineyards, beaches, and small hill villages that are harder to reach by train.
But if you are only staying in central Rome, you would rather be without a car. The historic centre has restricted zones (ZTLs) where most vehicles aren’t allowed to enter without a permit, and even outside those areas, parking spaces are scarce and hard to find. So driving there is more of a hassle than a help.
💳 Popular Car Types & Rental Costs
Rental prices in Rome vary by season, car type, availability, and other booking personalizations. The expected average daily rates across popular categories are as follows:
- ✔️ Economy cars: €25 – €55 per day
- ✔️ Compact cars: €30 – €65 per day
- ✔️ SUVs & passenger vans: €60 – €110 per day
- ✔️ Luxury cars: €100+ per day
A lot of people travel from June to September, which is when prices go up. And the same goes for public events and holidays. An extra drop-off fee of €50 to €300 further applies to one-way rentals. Charges for that are based on your chosen car and route to other popular cities, such as Venice and Florence.
🏢 Where To Rent a Car in Rome
You can rent and collect a car from convenient locations across the city, including:
➜ Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Once you arrive at the airport, take a short walk from the terminal to the multi-story parking in the Office Tower 2. In this building, you can locate on-site local and international supplier desks. Booking at FCO Airport offers the widest selection of vehicles for travellers of all kinds.
➜ Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA)
Ciampino Airport has a single terminal, making pickups and returns quick and easy. You can find the car hire counters of some companies within the terminal, while others are reachable on foot near the dedicated parking area.
➜ Termini Train Station
Roma Termini is the city’s main train station, where you can pick up a car for city stays and travel onward later. Most rental companies have offices either inside the station complex or a short walk away. Check the route before you drive off, as some nearby streets may fall within ZTL restricted areas, entering which can get you fined.
➜ Rome City-Centre
You can collect the car from city-centre rental offices, especially if you don’t need the vehicle for your entire stay. Sometimes travellers explore Rome on foot or by metro to avoid driving in ZTLs and parking hassles. Once done touring, they simply pick up the car on the day they leave the city. Booking at city locations also allows them to get relatively cheaper rates.
✅ Top Car Rental Companies in Rome
While the list of available local and international rental companies can vary by location, a vast collection of quality cars throughout all segments remains unchanged. Meaning that when you search for deals in Rome, you can always rest assured and book reliable vehicles for as long as you need from the following leading brands:
Domestic
International
⚠️ ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) Rules & Avoiding Fines
In most Italian cities, especially in denser regions, an area designated as ZTL is a limited traffic zone. By reading each car’s license plate at entry and exit points, local police and automated cameras keep an eye on these areas. Even if you enter ZTLs unintentionally, vehicles without special permits are prohibited from doing so and may be fined.
What this means for rental vehicles
If you enter the restricted zone without authorization and are caught, the fine will be sent to the supplier. And each entry will lead to an individual penalty. Your supplier will charge an extra fee to process fines, whether you’re a local or an international traveller.
How to avoid ZTL fines
- Look for ZTL signs, which are usually marked as a red circle or an LED panel.
- Try not to follow vehicles in front of you blindly. They may be authorized cars or locals.
- In Rome, fully electric vehicles (EVs) may enter ZTL areas after their licence plates are registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you have hired an EV (not a hybrid), ask the supplier whether the vehicle’s licence plate is registered, and also if you can register it yourself with Roma Mobilità online.
- EVs without prior registration are also subject to ZTL fines.
- Use apps like Waze and Mat to get real-time updates or read detailed info on ZTL on the official Roma Mobilità website.
🅿️ Parking in Rome – Where and How Much
Following is a quick overview of the types of available parking and how they work in different parts of Rome.
| Type of Parking | Description | Usual Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Zones (Paid Street Parking) | Public street parking marked with blue lines | €1–€4 per hour |
| White Zones (Free Street Parking) | White-lined public street parking | Free |
| Yellow Lines (Reserved/Private) | Reserved for residents, taxis, or specific vehicles | N/A |
| Paid Garages / Parking Lots | Private or municipal garage car parks | €2–€5 per hour (or €20–€30/day) |
| Parking Near Major Attractions | Limited availability; mainly blue zones or garages | €2–€4 per hour |
💡 Useful Tips
- Pay at nearby meters or using apps. Read signage for allowed parking hours and restrictions, which may vary by area and the time of the day.
- White zones usually have limited spots, which may require a resident’s permit in certain areas.
- Avoid parking in reserved yellow-lined car parks.
- Reserve a spot in convenient garages or private lots near the historic centre and attractions to avoid driving into restricted areas.
- Arrive early to secure a parking space and walk or take public transport to reach busy sites like the Colosseum or the Vatican.
🛡️ Rome Car Rental Insurance
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection, and Third Party Liability are typical standard insurance in Rome car hire deals. Despite that, travellers may still be liable to pay some costs in case of any damage. You can opt for full coverage or zero-excess insurance to protect yourself against potential expenses. But before you do that, read the terms to know what is covered in the policy and what isn’t.
👨✈️ Driving Rules in Rome & Italy
Rules may vary across areas and Italian regions, but a couple of basic ones to remember when driving in and out of Rome are summarized in the table below for travellers.
| Matter | Key Rule | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Side of the Road | Drive on the right. Overtake on the left. | Stay in the right lane unless overtaking. Watch for scooters, which often filter through traffic. |
| Speed Limits in Italy | Urban areas: 50 km/h Local roads: 70 – 90 km/h Main highways: 110 km/h Autostrade: 130 km/h (sometimes 110 in rain) | Speed cameras are common. Follow the posted speed limits to avoid penalties. |
| Blood Alcohol Limit | 0.5 g/L (lower for new drivers) | Best approach: don’t drink and drive at all. Random checks happen. |
| Traffic Cameras | Cameras monitor speed, ZTL access & red lights | Fines are sent to rental companies, which then charge an admin fee for processing |
| ZTL (Restricted Zones) | Limited-traffic zones mainly in city centres | Never enter unless authorised — fines are automatic. |
| Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Child seats are mandatory for children under 150 cm. |
| Mobile Phone Use | Hands-free only while driving | Police enforce this strictly. |
| Toll Roads (Autostrade) | Long-distance highways are usually tolled | Get a ticket at entry and pay at exit. Cards are usually accepted. |
| Headlights & Safety | Daytime running lights are required outside urban areas | Keep the hazard triangle and reflective vest handy (usually provided. |
| Navigation Tips | GPS is helpful. But a dedicated app can best warn about ZTLs | Always double-check your route before entering city centres. |
➡️ One Way Rentals from Rome
One-way rentals offer convenient options for travellers to move from Rome to major Italian cities such as Florence, Venice, and Milan. These deals save time by allowing you to return the car to a different location besides the pickup point. A drop-off fee generally applies to such bookings, depending on the chosen car type and the distance between the pickup and drop-off locations.
✔️ Cross-Border Travel
Travelling to selected cross-border destinations may be permitted with prior authorisation and added charges. In some cases, extra insurance may also be required to hire a car one-way. Remember to confirm service availability beforehand.
📝 Documents Required to Rent a Car in Rome
A complete list of the documentation that you would need to hire and pick up a car in Rome is as follows. Suppliers often cancel or deny bookings that lack proper documents.
- Passport/Proof of ID
- Original Driver’s Licence
- Valid Credit Card in the main driver’s name
- Rental Confirmation Voucher
- International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official English translation if the original licence is not in the Latin alphabet
🔞 Age Limits
Both local and international rental companies generally accept drivers aged 21 and over to make bookings. But as the age limit may vary by company, so does a traveller’s eligibility to reserve different car categories. As a result, a Young Driver Surcharge applies to those below the required minimum age.
Tips to Find the Best Car Hire Deals in Rome
- Enjoy maximum availability across diverse car categories to get affordable rates, even in peak seasons.
- Ensure unlimited mileage in your preferred deal so you don’t have to think about daily kilometer limits on long road trips.
- Opt for a full-to-full fuel policy to avoid the trouble of checking fuel levels when you pick up and drop off the car.
- A compact car would be best for going around Rome if that’s all you plan to do.
⁉️ Frequently Asked Questions
1️⃣ Can I rent a car in Rome without a credit card?
Typically, you cannot rent a car in Rome without a credit card because suppliers usually require a credit card in the main driver’s name to hold the security deposit at pickup. Even when debit cards are accepted, a higher deposit and extra conditions often apply.
2️⃣ Is an International Driving Permit (IDP) required to drive in Italy?
An International Driving Permit is required in Italy if your original driver’s license is not issued in the EU or EEA, or if it is not printed in Italian. Travelers from specified countries are generally expected to carry an IDP along with their valid home license. Some rental companies will refuse to release the car if you do not have it, so it is strongly recommended to obtain one before your trip. EU and EEA license holders do not need an IDP.
3️⃣ How much is the car hire security deposit in Rome?
The amount of the security deposit for a rental car in Rome is based on the selected vehicle category, deal type, and insurance policy. When browsing deals, you can refer to their respective terms and conditions to know about the expected security deposits.
4️⃣ Is it cheaper to rent a car at Rome Airport or in the city?
Airports offer better car hire availability and longer pickup hours upon arrival, which leads to higher pricing. And city center locations are more cost-effective, but you may have to deal with ZTL zones and off-site parking.
5️⃣ Can I add an additional driver to my rental?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to a car hire booking. Sometimes a first additional driver is allowed at no cost, but an extra fee usually applies. Each extra driver is also subject to the same license and age rules as the main driver.
6️⃣ Are automatic cars available in Rome?
Yes, plenty of automatic-transmission cars can be rented throughout Rome. They are often in high demand, so you will need to book as early as possible to secure the preferred vehicle. You can also use the applicable filter tools to quickly access only the relevant options and book the most suitable.