Miscellaneous Forum

Does anyone have recommendations or warnings about car rentals in Italy? No, we still haven't reserved a car yet... We know we would prefer to get diesel but that doesn't appear to be a choice when we search online. We won't need a rental car until this Sunday so we're not flipped out (yet). Though we are leaving for Italy tomorrow...

HiJessica
I can tell you for certain that diesel is an option, if only for the fact that a couple of years ago, we hired a car in Trieste and drove in into Slovenia ... and accidentally filled up a diesel with petrol!
Do you realise that you've posted this in the Miscellaneous forum? You might get a better response in the Italy forum under the Travel forum?
Regards and bon voyage!
Cathy

Ciao. When in Italy and I want to drive, I make sure it is not in Rome proper. The city is too congested with vespas and Fiats darting in and out. If you rent, I found that the Fiat is fine. I rented from Hertz International and you reserve from your home. You then know what you will be getting and how much it will cost you. Remember, although it is expensive, full insurance coverage is best. On the roads, don't drive in the left lane, unless you want to safely pass another vehicle, then get right back in the far right lane. Be careful on the roundabout intersections. Know the town you are trying to get to more than a road number. If possible, use GPS or make sure you have a road map. Otherwise, follow the name arrow signs on the road to get you to where you want to be. A fellow Californian. Trust this is in time before your holiday. :-)

Hi Jessica- I am enclosing a link from an article about car rental in Italy from trip advisor. The group I have heard that is best is eurpoecar. Be sure and check with your insurance company because Italy is one place that your liability is not covered.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187768-c4053/Italy:Car.Rental.Italy.html

PS Roots in Marin include relatives with homes in San Anselmo and Inverness

Thanks for the tips, gang! I do realize I put this in Miscellaneous because I thought it was a little more general than needing to go in to the Italy forum. I agree about Rome -- I have no desire to drive there. We will use public transportation when in Rome and then, when ready to head up to Portofino/Cinque Terre/Tuscana, we will get the rental car. I'll check out Europecar. I do see Hertz International as an option and have a complimentary Gold Club membership through my work but their rates aren't that great. GPS is a must, I agree... thanks gang!

I have rented cars a number of time in Italy through Avis, but that's mostly because of all the business I've done with them in the US, Canada, and UK. From what I have heard, other agencies can be cheaper, although I did get rooked once with Europcar when I had prepaid the insurance, and the people at Gatwick wouldn't accept it...I don't know if I ever got my money back.

I will also note that in the times that I rented cars in Italy, it was noticeably cheaper to do so from the States than once I arrived in Italy. I don't know if that is still true. However, with your imminent departure, that may not matter.

You MUST familiarize yourself with the "zone di traffico limitato" (ZTL), the limited traffic zones in upwards of 30 Italian cities. It's not just crowded on the streets in Rome (but I do love driving there), for most of the week, it's downright illegal, because non-residents (i.e., you) are not allowed to drive in the city center. Since they have automated cameras taking photos of your license plate (like on our toll roads), you're going to get caught.

If you have time, look at the list of cities on the right column at
http://ztl-italia.blogspot.com/2008/01/ztl-milano.html
These cities all have ZTLs, but they operate in different places on different days at different times. I have also noticed that the rent car places won't tell you anything about them; indeed, with so many different rules, it would be difficult for them to do so.

Are you going to be in the center of any of these cities?

Bill

Thank you!

Bill, it is still less expensive to reserve a vehicle in Italy from the USA. Senza costi nascosti. Capisce? :-)

Mark, my husband, ended up booking our car through wwww.economycarrentals.com. We got a diesel automatic station wagon with navigation for 10 days for ~$590. Ford Focus, Fiat Stilo or similar.

I recommend that you not use a local Italian company, but stick to international European or American companies. I've had terrible experiences in the past with Maggiore, and a couple of other smaller locals. Stick to the majors I'm afraid to say.

Hey, Larry, nessuno vuole costi nascosti...quindi Avis o Hertz potrebbero migliori...lo faccio io...

Bill

Bill, Che cosa mai. Mai di imparare. :-)

I second the recommendation of www.economycarrental.com. We rented several years ago in Croatia and just a few weeks ago in Venice to take into Slovenia and Croatia which all companies did not allow. They evidently partner with alot of companies and the one we ended up with at the venice airport was great. Had to return the car at 5 in the morning and while some companies charged crazy fees for out of hours, they just had a key drop off box.

As a follow up, we were very happy with the car we got! The car was actually through Sixt, booked through the previously mentioned website. It was a decent price, a wagon large enough for 3 adults, a child in a car seat and all our luggage, came equipped with a very good GPS, had unlimited mileage and it was a diesel. I would wholeheartedly recommend that site in the future.

Thanks for giving us the feedback...duly noted!