Catania car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Catania
The best car rental companies in Catania are Sixt, Hertz, Avis. Prices start from €20/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 14%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Catania
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€19/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#6
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#7
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Maggiore
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€17/day
base rate
View Maggiore deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Catania
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €20 | Fiat Panda | 4 |
| Compact | €25 | Fiat 500 | 4 |
| SUV | €40 | Jeep Renegade | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €56 | Fiat Doblo | 7 |
| Convertible | €78 | Fiat 500 Cabrio | 4 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Catania
Airport — Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)
Catania Fontanarossa is Sicily's busiest airport, about 5km south of the city, with dozens of rental desks in the terminal and a large adjacent pickup compound.
Downtown — Catania city center / Piazza Duomo
Downtown desks near Piazza Duomo serve travelers who arrive by train or ferry and want a car mainly for reaching Mount Etna or the eastern Sicilian coast.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~14% of base rate | CTA airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €14–26/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–10/day | Per extra driver |
| ZTL fine (unauthorized entry) | €70–180 | Driving into the historic center without a permit |
| One-way fee (drop-off in Palermo) | €50–100 | Different pickup/drop-off city |
| Refundable deposit | €250–500 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Catania
- Catania is Sicily's busiest rental hub thanks to Fontanarossa Airport, just 5km from downtown, with the widest selection of agencies and vehicle categories on the island.
- A rental car is the practical way to reach Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano — roughly 45 minutes from Catania, with several access roads to hiking trailheads and the cable car.
- Sicily's narrow, black-lava-stone streets in Catania's historic center fall under a ZTL, with camera-enforced fines of €70–180 for unauthorized entry.
- One-way rentals between Catania and Palermo are common for visitors crossing the island, typically adding €50–100 to the base rental cost.
- Sicilian driving has a reputation for assertive local styles — mopeds weaving between lanes and improvised parking are common, so defensive driving and a compact car are recommended in city centers.
- The coastal drive from Catania to Taormina (about 45 minutes) is one of Sicily's most scenic routes, with sea views along much of the A18 autostrada.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Catania
Do you need a car in Catania?
Not strictly for the city center, which is walkable, but a car is the best way to reach Mount Etna, Taormina, and the wider eastern Sicilian coast independently.
How far is Mount Etna from Catania?
About 45 minutes by car, with several access roads leading to hiking trailheads, the Rifugio Sapienza, and the Etna cable car.
Can you do a one-way rental from Catania to Palermo?
Yes, most agencies offer it for a one-way fee of roughly €50–100, a popular option for visitors touring across Sicily rather than backtracking.
What is the ZTL in Catania?
It's the limited traffic zone covering the historic center around Piazza Duomo, camera-enforced with fines of €70–180 for unauthorized entry.
Is driving in Sicily difficult for visitors?
Local driving style is assertive, with mopeds and improvised parking common in cities. A compact car and defensive driving make city centers manageable; rural roads to Etna and the coast are straightforward.
Is the drive from Catania to Taormina scenic?
Yes — the A18 autostrada hugs the coast for much of the roughly 45-minute drive, considered one of the best short scenic drives in eastern Sicily.
What is the cheapest car type in Catania?
Economy cars like a Fiat Panda start around €20/day, among the lowest rates in Italy. A 7-seat minivan for groups exploring Etna and the coast starts around €56/day.
Nearby trips
