Hiring a car in Italy
If you are planning a trip to Italy, renting a car will give you extra freedom to explore the country. While large cities, such as Rome and Milan have good public transport systems, but many of Italy’s most beautiful places are located beyond the city limits. When you rent a car in Italy, you can see all of the different aspects of the country that are hard to reach by public transport, including the mountains, national parks, the coast, and small villages that are full of character.
Things to Know Before Hiring a car in Italy
To rent a car and drive in Italy, you need to have an international driving permit. You can apply for this online, but you must apply for it before you have arrived in Italy. This permit takes about 2 weeks to process, and you should keep both the international permit and your Australian licence with you at all times while driving in Italy.
The standard age to rent a car in Italy is 21 years old. However, some rental car companies will rent to visitors older than 18 as long as they have had a full licence for at least a year. It’s also important to have car insurance while driving in Italy. If you are not already covered by your travel insurance, you can purchase a hire car insurance plan from the rental company.
In Italy, cars drive on the right side of the road. Coming from Australia, this may be confusing at first. Be sure to pay close attention, especially when going through roundabouts or turning at large intersections.
Throughout Italy, there are national speed limits to follow. While driving on the major highways, called the autostrada, the speed limit is 130 km/h. On smaller main roads, the speed limit is 100 km/h, and throughout urban areas, the speed limit is 50-70 km/h. Along the autostrada, there are regular tolls that are calculated by distance. Be sure to always have some euros in the car while you are driving on the autostrada.
What to do when hiring a car in Italy
Throughout Italy, there are many scenic drives and beautiful areas that are only accessible by car. One of the most popular regions in Italy is Tuscany. Tuscany is the region where you’ll find Florence, and outside of the city, it’s full of vineyards, Italian villas, rolling hills and medieval villages. There is so much to see in Tuscany that one of the best ways to experience it is by driving through the region at your own pace.
Another favourite destination for travellers heading to Italy is the Amalfi Coast, located south of Naples. Several towns make up the Amalfi Coast, and each one is worth visiting. Without reliable public transport, the best way to explore the Amalfi Coast is in a rental car. Some of the places not to miss are Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and the Valle delle Ferriere national park.
Just off the southern coast of Italy is Sicily, which is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sicily is not on the radar of many tourists yet, making it the perfect spot for travellers wanting to venture off the beaten track. In a rental car, you’ll be able to explore Sicily’s beaches, ruins and temples, Mount Etna, and many scenic towns and villages.
