The legalities and contractual obligations of renting a car in Italy are complicated, to say the least. Italy is also infamous for auto accidents and theft. Parking is another issue. Tow-away zones are scattered liberally throughout Rome and are strongly enforced by the police. You really do not want to get towed. Assuming you can locate the car after a tow (an adventure unto itself!), the cost of getting your rental back is high.
And then there's the unavoidable 20% value-added tax (VAT), usually (though not always) included in the rental price quoted by agencies. The government also charges a 12% airport tax for cars picked up at an airport.
Those are the potential hazards. If you plan to explore the beautiful Italian countryside (and if you can take the above in stride) then renting a car can be a fine idea. Many of the picturesque villages and rolling vineyards of the Italian countryside lie away from train and bus networks.
Most agencies only require a valid driver license and one year of driving experience. The minimum age required to legally rent a car in Italy is 21 years old. That said, many agencies will not rent to anyone under 23. Renters under 25 often pay a surcharge of about US$20 a day.
To find cheap car rentals for Rome, reserve before leaving home. Ask for an all-inclusive rate, including full insurance and unlimited kilometers. Many of the less expensive rental cars in Italy will not have air conditioning or automatic windows.
To get the cheapest rental prices, we recommend Auto Europe. EuroCheapo has partnered with Auto Europe to offer the guaranteed cheapest prices on rental cars in Italy. Read more about cheap car rentals in Europe.
A very good rate for a three-day economy car rental originating and terminating in Rome is €210.
A Little Extra Parking Sign Help
So many visitors to Rome experience confusion with Italy's parking signage. With this in mind, EuroCheapo hereby presents a few tips.
A red circle filled with blue with a red slash means No Parking. Heed this sign, Cheapos.
Spaces painted with blue lines means you must feed a meter (or a parking official).
Spaces painted with yellow lines means handicapped parking only.
Spaces painted with white lines means that a local permit is required. Ask the staff of your hotel if they have a local parking permit. Chances are that they won't, but you might as well try.
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