Rome car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Rome
The best car rental companies in Rome are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €26/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 Rome
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€29/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Rome
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €26 | Fiat Panda | 4 |
| Compact | €34 | Fiat 500X | 5 |
| SUV | €49 | Jeep Renegade | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €68 | Volkswagen Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €95 | Alfa Romeo Giulia | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Rome
Airport — Rome Fiumicino (FCO)
Rental desks in Office Tower 2 (Torre Uffici 2); covered walkway on the top floor leads to the car-rental garage on the fourth floor.
Downtown — Central Rome (Termini)
Desks near Roma Termini station and Via Sardegna in the city centre.
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) | €20–40/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €8–14/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off location |
| Autostrada tolls | ~€9 per 100 km | Driving on toll motorways (A-roads) |
| ZTL fine (limited-traffic zone) | €80–300 + €30–70 admin fee | Entering a restricted zone without a permit |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Rome
- Drive on the right; many rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly and book early.
- Rome’s historic centre is covered by ZTL limited-traffic zones watched by automatic cameras — entering without a permit triggers a fine of €80–300 plus a rental-company admin fee.
- An International Driving Permit is required in Italy for visitors from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — carry it alongside your home licence at all times.
- Most motorways (autostrada) are tolled at roughly €9 per 100 km; take a ticket on entry and pay by card or cash on exit.
- Roman traffic is fast and assertive, and scooters weave between lanes — drive defensively and expect tight parking.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Rome
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Rome?
Yes. Italy requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) for drivers from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most non-EU countries. The IDP is a translation of your licence, not a replacement — carry both documents in the car at all times, as police and rental desks can ask for them.
What are ZTL zones and how do I avoid a fine?
ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) are limited-traffic zones across central Rome, monitored by automatic cameras that read your plate. Driving in without a permit brings a fine of €80–300, and your rental company adds a €30–70 admin fee to pass it on. Park outside the ZTL, walk or use transit inside the centre, and check where your hotel sits relative to the zone.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Rome?
Most companies rent from age 21. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €20–40/day, and a few premium categories require 25.
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.
How do autostrada tolls work?
Italian motorways (autostrada) are mostly tolled at around €9 per 100 km. Take a ticket at the entry barrier and pay on exit by card or cash — avoid the yellow Telepass-only lanes unless your car has a transponder.
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.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Fiumicino (FCO) has desks in Office Tower 2 with a covered walkway to the rental garage, and there are central Rome desks near Termini station. Many visitors collect the car on the way out of the city to skip ZTL zones and scarce parking.
What is the cheapest car type in Rome?
Economy cars (e.g. Fiat Panda) start around €26/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan starts around €68/day.
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