Car Rental in Rome: Which Road Would You Take to Reach the Eternal City?
If all roads lead to Rome, then the average traveller is destined to arrive here at some point in his or her lifetime. As the seat of some of Western Civilization’s most impressive accomplishments and as one of Italy’s most lively cities, Rome demands a lot of attention. Make the most of your visit by exploring beyond the most beaten tourist paths and getting out into the Italian countryside. Book your rental car today.
In terms of weather, Rome is a comfortable city to visit year round. Most of the tourists arrive between May and September, so if you’re interested in avoiding the crowds, plan a winter vacation to this southern Italian city.
The official language of Italy is Italian, though you are likely to find speakers of other European languages speckled throughout the country. English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French are widely spoken or at the least understood throughout Rome.
Rome is in the Central European Time Zone, UTC+1.
The currency of Italy is the euro, and credit cards are widely accepted at grocery and retail stores. Take advantage of frequent ATMs to have cash on hand for restaurants, bakeries, and butcheries.
Car hire in Rome is available in over 30 locations, including the Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA) airports, downtown Rome, and at the Termini train station.
There are a lot of incredible sights within a 100-km radius from Rome, including Castel Gandolfo and Ostia Antica, but if you’ve rented a car, why not trek a bit farther? Head, for example, to the Amalfi Coast, south of Naples, or to the rolling hills and excellent eateries of Tuscany, around 300 km north of Rome.
Visa Regulations
As a Schengen country, Italy accepts visitors from many countries around the world visa-free for up to 90 days. Double check entry requirements for your nationality before you leave, as you may be required to apply for a visa in advance of your departure.
Driving in Rome
Drive defensively throughout Rome. The roads are packed with people and other drivers, and this chaos gets only more concentrated the closer you get to the city center. To make the most of your self-drive visit to the area, take some days to head outside of the city and explore its beautiful surroundings instead of competing for space on the streets with the locals!
Right-Hand Driving
- Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road in Rome, as throughout the rest of continental Europe.
Speed Limits
- In the city: 50 km/h
- Outside towns and cities: 90 to 110 km/h
- On the Autostrade: 130 km/h.
- It is prudent to pay attention to any shifts in speed limit, as speed cameras regulate all of the roads throughout Italy.
- Roads are especially difficult to navigate during morning and evening rush hours, though you’re likely to find that traffic jams develop throughout the day for no apparent reason as well.
Other Regulations
- Parking is very scarce in central Rome. If you plan on renting a car for the length of your visit to the city, be sure you’ve secured a parking spot through your hotel. Otherwise you will find yourself pestered by numerous locals asking for payment to guide you to dubious parking spots throughout the city, sometimes kilometers away from your intended destination.
- Many areas throughout central Rome are limited traffic zones (zone a traffico limitato) which are regulated via electronic transponder. You will incur fines of around $100 for driving in these zones without permission!
- All drivers with licenses from non-EU countries will need an international driver’s permit in addition to their valid domestic driver’s license to rent and drive a car in Italy.
- Most motorways—called the autostrade—are tolled.
- The minimum driving and car rental age is 18 in Italy, though all drivers under the age of 25 are likely to incur young-driver surcharges as well.
Cheap Car Rental in Rome
Automobile hire in Rome typically starts at around $6 a day. Here are some of the best deals in Rome:
- Fiat 500 or similar (mini class) – $6/day
- Opel Corsa or similar (economy class) – $7/day
- Nissan Pulsar or similar (compact class) – $8/day
- Peugeot 2008 or similar (intermediate class) – $10/day
- Volkswagen Touran or similar (standard class) – $16/day
Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.
Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Rome
While there is some seasonal variation in price in Rome, with prices increasing by $1 or 2 in the summer months, you can still get routinely good deals if you book your car within 5 months of your expected arrival. Car rental agencies at the Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA) airports can typically beat prices throughout the rest of the city by at least $5.
The cheapest rental agencies in the area include Autoclick, Payless, and Goldcar.
You can also typically save up to $4 a day by extending your rental period to over a week!
