Milan car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Milan
The best car rental companies in Milan are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €22/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 14%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Milan
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€21/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€21/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Price guide
Prices by car type in Milan
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €22 | Fiat Panda | 4 |
| Compact | €27 | Fiat 500X | 5 |
| SUV | €42 | Jeep Renegade | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €58 | Volkswagen Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €82 | Alfa Romeo Giulia | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Milan
Airport — Milan Malpensa (MXP)
Rental desks on Floor -1 of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, next to the train stations.
Downtown — Central Milan
Desks near Milano Centrale station, Piazza Diaz and the Fiera district.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~14% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–30/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €8–13/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €40–100 | Different drop-off location |
| Area C congestion charge | €7.50/entry (~€9 weekends) | Driving into central Milan (Cerchia dei Bastioni) |
| Autostrada tolls | ~€1 per 7 km | Motorway travel (A4, A1, etc.) |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Milan
- Drive on the right; most Italian rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required alongside your home licence for non-EU visitors (US, UK, etc.).
- Central Milan’s Area C congestion charge is ~€7.50 per entry (7:30–19:30 weekdays, ~€9 at weekends since 2026).
- Area B is a low-emission zone covering most of the city; modern rental cars are compliant, but older diesels are banned.
- Italian autostrada motorways are tolled — take a ticket on entry and pay on exit, roughly €1 per 7 km.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Milan
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Milan?
Most companies rent from age 21, though some premium categories require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €15–30/day.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Italy?
Yes — non-EU visitors (including US, UK, Canada and Australia) must carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) together with their home licence. Police and rental desks can ask for it, and it is legally required to drive in Italy.
What are Milan’s Area C and Area B zones?
Area C is the paid congestion zone in the historic centre (~€7.50 per entry, ~€9 at weekends since 2026). Area B is a wider low-emission zone that bans older polluting vehicles but has no charge for compliant rental cars.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft with an excess often above €1,000. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €250–300 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
How do autostrada tolls work?
Most Italian motorways (A4 to Verona, A1 to Bologna) are tolled. Take a ticket when you enter and pay on exit — roughly €1 per 7 km. Cash, card and Telepass lanes are available.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Malpensa (MXP) has desks on Floor -1 of Terminals 1 and 2, and there are central Milan desks near Milano Centrale station, Piazza Diaz and the Fiera district.
What is the cheapest car type in Milan?
Economy cars (e.g. Fiat Panda) start around €22/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan starts around €58/day.
Nearby trips