Updated October 2024:
When it comes to traveling to Italy, transportation and getting around is always a topic that comes up. Should you take the train? Is it easy to take public transportation? What about driving in Italy? Is driving in Italy worth it? What side do they drive in Italy? You may have seen some very curvy streets in Italy or wondered about driving a Vespa with the breeze of the Tuscany air on your face. Driving in Italy can offer lots of convenience, especially in smaller towns, so let’s talk about driving in Italy as an American tourist.
Speed Limit in Italy
Driving in Italy offers a mix of scenic routes and challenging experiences. While the winding roads and landscapes can be captivating, staying aware of traffic laws is essential. Speed limits are crucial to observe, even when not clearly marked, as fines can be substantial. Generally, highways limit 130 km/h (about 81 mph), while urban areas are restricted to 50 km/h (approximately 31 mph).
Italian drivers keep to the right side of the road, and overtaking is only allowed on the left. Roundabouts, common throughout the country, require particular attention. Familiarize yourself with local driving customs and always prioritize safety over sightseeing. Being prepared and alert will help you navigate Italy’s diverse road conditions more effectively.
For example, when we drove in Palermo, we noticed they rarely used their turn signals and really loved to honk.
requirements for driving in Italy
If you have a driver’s license in the USA, then you can drive in Italy! However, it is strongly recommended that you obtain an International Driving Permit. Avoid the hassle of possibly having a police officer stop you in Italy because it is affordable and simple to obtain.
Where to Get the International Driving Permit
We have been to Italy ten times, and my husband has driven on about seven out of the ten times. So we always make sure his International Driving Permit is up to date, and if it’s not, we stop by our local AAA office to get a new one.
In-person application:
Head to an AAA office near you and request the International Driving Permit form. It costs $20, and you will need:
- Completed application
- 2 passport-size photos
- Show a valid US driver’s license
- Copy of your valid US driver’s license front and back
The permit is valid for one year and 100% worth it.
Renting a Car in Italy
Most of our rental cars for Italy have been rented through the Expedia website, but now I have a new favorite way to rent a car in Italy: Discover Cars. You can find the best prices and various car rental companies, and I didn’t have to pay the huge deposit that was typical for us in the past. In our recent Tuscany trip, we ended up with a car from Locauto, a company we had not used before, and they saved our trip!
Typically, you will want to rent your car from the same place you pick it up from, as dropping it off at a different location can cost way more money. One money-saving hack is if you need to drop it off at a different location, make sure it’s not a small city but a main one or an airport.
Using Discover Cars – Siena story
Renting a car through Discover Cars proved to be a significant advantage during our trip. Initially, we planned to have the vehicle only for the weekend, believing we wouldn’t need it for the remainder of our journey. However, when it came time to return the car in Siena, we encountered a minor complication. The office was closed, as expected on a Sunday, but we faced difficulty contacting them. This was my oversight – I should have called a day in advance rather than just 30 minutes before our arrival. Despite this hiccup, the overall experience with Discover Cars greatly enhanced our travel flexibility and convenience.
The Siena rental car office’s location outside the city center posed a challenge, especially with no available taxis. The Locauto representative was exceptionally helpful, staying on the line for over 20 minutes and even calling back to assist further.
Realizing a taxi wasn’t feasible, we opted to extend our rental. Surprisingly, the extension was remarkably affordable. This decision turned out to be a blessing in disguise – my husband was thrilled with the continued freedom and flexibility during our group trip. In fact, this car proved to be the best we’ve ever rented in Italy, enhancing our overall travel experience significantly.
Another thing to know is that our car was super fuel cost-effective. This was the trip we spent less on gas, so another bonus surprise.
We have another upcoming Tuscany trip, and I will be using them again. You can’t beat the price, and I can afford the extra insurance.
Where are good places to drive in Italy?
Driving in Italy is not for the faint of heart! I can’t do it, but luckily, I have a husband who is a terrific driver. However, even he got a little scared on our most recent trip. So, here is my advice if you wish to drive throughout Italy.
First, it depends on your itinerary and what you wish to do. If you are heading to, let’s say, big regions like Rome and Florence, then a train will suffice. However, if you wish to visit small towns, a car is very recommended.
One of our favorite things to do as a couple in Italy is to go on a road trip and stop by the more local towns. You can see some of these towns in my other blog post, 7 Romantic Things to Do in Tuscany. So I love driving to Tuscany because we can take the Autostrada. I don’t particularly appreciate driving in Southern Italy, but we have had to have a car on a trip to Sicily and Sardinia.
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Is It Worth It to Drive in Italy?
This will depend again on what do you want to do and how many people are traveling with you. One thing to also keep in mind is budget. One time, my husband and I had to go to Naples, and when we checked the price of the train tickets versus renting a car, renting a car was cheaper.
But to our big surprise, the gas was diesel and cost an extra 70 euros to fill the tank, so it wasn’t a smart idea. We should have taken a train from Termini to Naples. Sometimes it is more affordable to rent a car if you have more people traveling with you.
Is driving in Italy difficult??
The short answer is yes! First off, the roads are super narrow, and many places don’t even let active drivers go there, so driving inside smaller towns can be challenging. We just went from Rome to Florence in March, and we noticed that this time around the Autostrada felt a bit unsafe. There were so many trucks. So, you have to be an extremely diligent driver.
Once we got to Florence, we had to put the car away, as there were no car zones there, so we kept it in a garage. So, that is another thing to keep in mind. Driving in Italy is more for doing day trips and going from one place to another, and not to driving inside the area where you stay.
People also drive a bit crazy there, and almost all the cars have scratches. We have seen some weird things with the buses while they are driving there, so overall, it’s just super different than driving in the US.
Additionally, many of the cars are stick-shift and mostly diesel, making gas expensive.
Tolls in Italy
We were not informed about the tolls when we rented the car in Italy for the first few times. We took cash with us but realized we didn’t have change. When we stopped at the toll booth to pay, we saw that some said “Carte,” which I deduced meant we could pay by credit card, so we paid our tolls by credit card. It was about 19 euros to go from Rome to Florence.
From Rome to Naples, it’s about €15.80.
Does Italy drive on right or left?
I am happy to report that they drive on the same side we do, so the right side.
Driving in Southern Italy
3 years ago, we did a trip to Italy that consisted of a few days in Rome and the rest of the trip in the South. We stayed in Sorrento, and we took the bus to the Amalfi Coast. Let’s say it was one of the scariest things ever! My husband is afraid of heights, and you see the cliffs with no barriers, and the bus goes fast on these curvy roads that sometimes become single lanes. It was insane.
My husband had a panic attack and sweated so much. When the trip began, he said he would feel way more comfortable if he was driving, but I honestly don’t want to take that risk either. I hope to go back to Southern Italy one day, but we will not be driving. I am hoping to take the boat everywhere.
Parking is also complicated there, so you must pay for a garage to keep your car, which costs about 30 euros daily.
Tips for Renting a Car in Italy
We did rent a super tiny car once that was all scratched, so here are some tips for renting a car in Italy:
- Get your International Driver’s Permit before arriving in Italy
- Use a third-party website that gives you some guarantee, or book directly with the rental company
- Make sure you understand the info in regard to insurance, gas and mileage
- Triple-check the car you are requesting. They can be very small, and you want to make sure it will fit the luggage you need.
- Take photos of the car, especially if it has a lot of scratches.
- Take a photo of how much gas is in the car, because the last car we got had barely any gas in it.
- Ask how to open the gas tank, because it took us 5 minutes last time to figure it out, lol. We had to turn off the car, if you were wondering.
- Always check if there is parking at your hotel or Airbnb. If not, ask for garage recommendations.
- Check garage pricing beforehand.
- Check what time the garage opens and if you need a reservation beforehand.
- Check if there are any deposits that they will hold on your credit card.
Overall, I only recommend driving if you are stopping by smaller towns and not keeping the car at your destination. The best times for us to drive have been when we take the car and drop it off, even though that can be pricey!
