How to find a cheap car hire deal in Rome
Pick up a cheap rental car in Rome for around R 1,364 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the major providers, putting amazing deals at your fingertips.
R 44 is the cheapest daily price for a rental in Rome.
For longer trips, pick up a weekly rental from R 95 and fit more into your itinerary.
Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding the best price on a Rome car hire. Try booking around one week before you go.
Surprice, RentSmart24 and Galdieri Rent are some of the top-ranked providers in the city. They're a great starting point for comparing offers.
The coverage Surprice or another supplier offers for your Rome car hire can vary, so be sure to go over the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra charge.
Choosing a one-way car hire is often a great hack for cheaper deals. Click 'Return car to a different location.' Providers sometimes need to move vehicles between locations, which means you can score some awesome one-way prices on a car for rent in Rome.
Avoid those steep refueling fees by booking a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.
Roam without limits by choosing a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you go as far as you want without paying more.
Best value car hire options right now
In the number-one spot for value is this company, with prices averaging R 549 a day.
Next in line is this provider, offering daily rates of around R 532.
The third option also helps keep costs down. Expect to pay roughly R 425 a day for one of their rentals.
Want a car that handles just about any journey? The Compact rental category is the top choice for travellers visiting Rome.
Flying to Rome? Think about an airport pick-up
Kick off your Rome trip quicker by booking a car hire at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. The city centre is about 32 kilometres from this airport, which is a drive of around 40 minutes.
Or grab the keys and make a clean getaway with a car hire from Rome Ciampino Airport. It'll take roughly 20 minutes to drive the 14 kilometres or so to the centre.
Compare car hire types in Rome
Small: Whether you're zipping around busy cities or taking a short trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect great mileage and easy handling.
Medium: Not too small, not too big, this is the kind of rental even Goldilocks wouldn't second-guess. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of fuel efficiency and interior space and are suited to small families and couples.
Large: Long drives are effortless in this Rome car hire category. Also known as full-size, they're built with bigger engines for better driving. The extra legroom and comfort make them a top choice for families and groups of friends.
SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV is ready to roll. It's your perfect road trip buddy, ready for backroads, highways, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also offer extra space and advanced safety features.
Van: Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Rome is built to handle heavier loads and bigger groups. They're tough, versatile, and ready for whatever the journey demands.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your Rome car hire is damaged or stolen. While not mandatory, it's worth considering for extra protection. Just remember that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you know exactly what's offered.
From navigation systems to reverse cameras, the right extras can totally transform your drive. Think about which features will make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Rome.
Good to know
To rent a vehicle in Italy, you typically have to be at least 21 years old. Some locations may rent vehicles to younger drivers for an extra fee, so carefully review the policies before securing your ride.
Add a car seat to your Rome car hire booking if you're bringing the kids. Regulations change from place to place, but using a child seat suited to their age, weight and size is always the safest choice.
You'll likely be asked for these three things when collecting your rental car: a valid driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card to cover the deposit amount. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. The full set of requirements will be laid out in your booking.
Driving in Italy might take some adjustment for first-time visitors. Keep in mind you'll need to stick to the right side of the road.
Local speed limits may vary, but it's normally around 45kph in urban areas and 125kph or so on highways. Always check the posted signs.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in Italy. The only guaranteed way to stay safe to drive is to avoid alcohol completely.
Around 8am is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid rush hours if you want a smoother run.
The euro (EUR) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day expenses and activities. Pay with a debit or credit card when it's possible, and keep some cash handy when electronic payments aren't an option.
Italian is the language you'll hear most people speaking in this country.
Best hotels in Rome for drivers
Offering parking, Hotel Vilòn makes it easy to come and go as you please. This hotel is around 2 kilometres from central Rome and also comes with a garden and a laundry.
The St. Regis Rome makes life simpler with valet parking and features like internet access and a 24-hour front desk. It's roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.
Browse through the hotels in Rome for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find exactly what you're after. You can also apply the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to include places with charging facilities.
After you've locked in a car hire deal in Rome and the right hotel, all that's left is deciding where to head to first. Get started with major attractions like Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican Hill.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Rome
Keep travelling to Terni. Around 72 kilometres north of central Rome, it's home to must-do sights like Cascata Delle Marmore and Cascate Marmore.
Go-to accommodation options with parking in Terni include Terra Umbra Hotel and Hotel Garden Terni.
Add Latina to your travels too. Pick up your cheap car hire in Rome and drive roughly 56 kilometres southeast to discover leading attractions like Old Town and Piazza del Popolo.
Hotel Excelsior and Foro Appio Mansio Hotel are comfy places to stay in Latina if you're planning to stick around. Choose one of these and take the hassle out of finding a spot for your ride.
Up for a bonus adventure? Prato is a popular road trip destination that's about 241 kilometres northwest of Rome. Consider making a few pit stops at Duomo and Museo dell'Opera dell Duomo.
Catch up on sleep in Prato at either Art Hotel Milano or Hotel Datini. They've got a room waiting for you and parking availability too.
