Ever since we first started traveling together, Rome has long been one of Cazzy and my favourite destinations anywhere in the world.
Not only is it super romantic, it's also well positioned in the heart of Italy (well duh, it's the capital!).
So what this means is it's a fantastic base to fly into, rent a car and then embark on a much wider Italian road trip.
We most recently drove through Rome in our rented car back in Summer 2023 and had an amazing experience.
Below I want to take you through our direct experience renting cars in Italy from the top firms.
And then, combining that with our wider experience renting vehicles from allover Europe, share with you what we believe to be the absolute best options available.
Let's get straight into it ...
If you’re thinking of renting a car in Rome, then you’re in the right place! We’ve learned through trial and error the best ways to find the perfect rental here, which we’ll now share with you below.
Overall, Discover Cars has been one of the best car rental comparison sites that we have come across. This giant site lists all domestic and international rental providers, and has an easy-to-use search function to compare them.
Here are some of the big advantages of using Discover Cars:
Kicking off our list we have Locauto, who are a 100% born and bred Italian car rental company.
Operating for over 50 years, they are one of the most reputable and used domestic rental providers in the country.
This company has a lot to offer, and in our opinion, offer some of the best car rentals in Rome (and the whole of Italy).
Whilst not as well-known as some of the other rental companies on this list, Locauto have quite a large fleet to choose from in Rome.
Firstly we have their basic Mini and Economy models (usual rentals include a Toyota Aygo, Opel Corsa or similar).
Next we have their mid-tier Compact, Intermediate and Intermediate SUVs which are perfect for those who want a more spacious ride (you’ll get a VW Golf, Volkswagen T-Roc, Peugeot 3008 or similar).
Lastly we have their prestigious Luxury model (usual rentals include an Audi A4 STW or similar).
Locauto also offers Full-Size van rentals for those in larger parties or who simply want the extra space.
EuropaRent is a smaller rental company present in Rome (and in a couple of other locations around Italy).
They are a great option for those who want local know-how, and plan on staying within Rome during their trip. Whilst their fleet is small, all vehicles are highly reliable and are of great quality.
EuropaRent has quite a small fleet of vehicles available for rent in Rome.
Those who want a cheap and basic rental can choose their Economy model (you’ll get a Fiat Panda or similar).
Then we have their more luxurious Premium SUVs and Special SUVs, which are great for having both a more stylish and smoother ride (you’ll get a Volkswagen T-Roc, Audi Q2 or similar).
RentalPlus is a well-known Italian rental company that is present all over the country. And when in Rome, you can choose from a wide range of rental vehicles on both a short-term and long-term basis.
They also provide fully-customisable rentals depending on what you need (which includes extra perks).
Firstly we begin with RentalPlus’s Mini and Compact vehicles (usual rentals include a Fiat 500, Ford Puma or similar).
Next we have their Compact SUVs, Intermediate and Intermediate SUVs, which are best for those who want more luxury without spending too much (you’ll get a Peugeot 2008, Opel Astra, Ford Kuga or similar).
Lastly we have their deluxe Full-Size and Luxury classes (usual rentals include an Audi Q3, Maserati Ghibli or similar).
RentalPlus also does Standard and Premium van rentals.
Next up we have Alamo, who are one of the biggest car rental companies on the planet.
They're the perfect option if you're travelling into Italy, with locations at Rome Ciampino Airport, Fiumicino Airport and Termini Station.
As well as having several offices in Rome (which make car pick-up and drop-off simple), you can earn points towards discounted partner bonuses too (such as free flights or hotel stays).
For future reference, Alamo is also a popular choice when it comes to car rentals in Spain and Portugal.
Those who want to keep costs low can choose from the introductory Mini, Economy and Compact models (you’ll get a Toyota Aygo, Opel Corsa, VW Golf or similar).
Next we have their Standard, Intermediate and Intermediate SUV classes (usual rentals include a Ford Focus STW, Volkswagen T-Roc, Peugeot 3008 or similar).
Finally we have their Luxury model for those who want a memorable upgrade (you’ll get an Audi A4 STW or similar).
Alamo also does Full-Size van rentals for those who want a more spacious ride.
Operating for over 50 years along the Mediterranean coasts, Centauro is a Spanish company that offers some really great rentals in the Italian capital.
Not only do they have their GoldClub which you can join for extra perks and discounts, they are also a perfect choice for those who want to visit Rome on a budget.
We begin with their Mini and Economy models, which are great for travelers who want to stick to a low budget (usual rentals include a Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta or similar).
Next we have their Compact and Compact SUV classes (you’ll get a Ford Focus, Volkswagen T-Cross or similar).
On the more luxurious side of things, we have Centauro’s Intermediate and Intermediate SUVs (usual rentals include a Volkswagen Tiguan, Ford Kuga or similar).
Next up we have Vivarent, which is another Italian company that is a popular rental choice in Rome.
They’re known for having a large and new fleet of vehicles to choose from, and also have generally great reviews.
We start with their introductory Mini, Economy and Mini Crossover Models which are perfect for those on a budget (you’ll get a Fiat Panda, Peugeot 208, Toyota Aygo X or similar).
Next we have their Intermediate and Intermediate SUVs (usual rentals include a Peugeot 308 SW Estate, Volkswagen T-Cross or similar).
Finally we have their Full-Size SUVs, Premium Crossover and Premium SUVs for those who want a more luxurious ride (you’ll get a Peugeot 3008, Alfa Romeo Tonale, DS Automobiles DS4 or similar).
Vivarent also does a range of van rentals, which include the Full-Size, Premium and Premium Elite classes.
Maggiore are an Italian rental company who are a popular choice all over the country.
As well as offering great local know-how, they also have various discounts that you can take advantage of. This includes an immediate 10% discount upon subscribing to them.
Firstly we have Maggiore’s Mini and Economy models (usual rentals include a Fiat 500, and Opel Corsa or similar).
Next we have their Compact and Compact Elite Crossover vehicles (you’ll get a Fiat 500L, Volkswagen T-Roc or similar).
Lastly we have their premium rentals which include the Full-Size and Luxury models (usual rentals include a Mercedes C Class, Mercedes Benz E Class or similar).
Operating worldwide in over 160 countries, Hertz is known as one of the most reputable companies that you can rent with.
If you’re thinking of heading outside of Rome during your trip (there’s plenty to see in Italy - even if Rome is one of the best places to visit in Europe), then we think Hertz would be a great fit for you as they are located throughout the country.
Hertz offers a massive variety of rentals, which can suit all tastes and budgets.
We start off with their Mini and Economy models, which are perfect for solo travelers or couples on a budget (you’ll get a Fiat 500, Fiat Panda or similar).
Next we have their Compact, Compact Elite Crossover and Mini Elite models (usual rentals include a Toyota C-HR, Jeep Renegade, Toyota Yaris or similar).
Finally we have their premium vehicles for those who want an extra smooth ride, which include their Intermediate and Full-Size classes (you’ll get an Opel Grandland, Tesla Model 3 or similar).
Next up we have SIXT, who also are present in multiple continents with offices in over 100 different countries (including Germany and France).
Known for being extremely reliable, here we can find solid rentals at a great price with no hidden extra fees (which can sometimes be an issue with other rental companies).
SIXT begin with their Mini and Economy models (usual rentals include a Citroen C1, Fiat 500 or similar).
Next we have their more comfortable upgrades, which are still reasonably priced. This class includes their Compact, Compact SUV and Intermediate vehicles (you’ll get a Mini Cooper, VW T-Roc, BMW 1 Series or similar).
Finally we have their elite Full-Size, Premium and Luxury models (usual rentals include a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A5 Sportback, BMW iX 40 or similar).
SIXT also offers Full-Size van rentals.
Now we have another Italian specialist rental company, who are a new entrant that started business back in 2005.
Autovia has pick-up locations all over Rome, which is ideal if you will enter the capital by other methods (such as bus or train).
Firstly we have their Economy model, which is best for those looking to keep costs low (you’ll get a Kia Picanto or similar).
Next we have their mid-tier Compact and Intermediate vehicles (usual rentals include a Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade or similar).
Those who want extra luxury can choose their Premium model (you’ll get an Audi Q3 or similar).
Autovia also offers Premium Van Rentals for those who prefer more space.
Within the Italian capital you'll find quite a number of rental companies to choose from, which can all vary in both cost as well as potential add-ons.
Other factors to keep in mind are if you're renting during a busy season or if you're under the age of 25.
We’ve found that rental costs in Rome can vary anywhere from $6-$475 per day.
When it comes to hiring a car in Rome, the large majority of rental companies require you to be at least 21 years old.
It’s important to note that if you’re under the age of 25, you may incur a Young Driver’s Surcharge which is an additional fee charged by the rental company.
Whilst the majority of Italy is great for driving, Rome on the other hand can be quite chaotic at times.
As such, we highly suggest renting a car here if you are an experienced driver and also quite a patient person. This is because traffic can be quite heavy and heated throughout the city.
We think there’s many benefits of renting a car when in Rome.
Firstly you’ll be able to reach the outer city and surrounding region with ease, departing and returning whenever you feel like.
You’ll save money too, especially if you would otherwise use taxis on a daily basis.
One of the most popular European city breaks, Rome has tons going for it. Here we can see beautiful plazas, wander through captivating museums as well as visit the legendary Colosseum itself.
Renting a car in Rome is a good idea for many travelers, where you can enjoy more flexibility and independence on your own schedule. With DiscoverCars, you can easily find the right vehicle for you, where you can browse through a range of companies and requirements.
For those who want to head out of Rome and explore more of Italy, popular destinations to add to your road trip include Turin, Verona, and Venice!
Be sure to check out our Europe Packing List to make sure you bring all of the essentials with you!
Here are some other guides you may find helpful:
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