Renting a car in Italy allows the chance to see areas in the country that would otherwise be challenging to see. Most visitors enjoy exploring when they have a vehicle to do so at their leisure. It’s much more pleasant and allows them to do so at their own pace and on their own schedule.
The natural landscaping with the majestic mountains alongside the quaint towns and villages, not to mention the astounding architecture in Rome, is a sight to behold. There are things to make yourself aware of before making a move to hire a car. This site can be your guide.
Preparing well ahead of the trip will ensure there are no issues when it comes time to pick up the vehicle. One vital step to take prior to leaving your home country is obtaining an International Driving Permit. The price point in America is reasonable, and finding a resource to provide the permit is easy.
You may or may not be required to provide this when renting a vehicle or if stopped by the police in Italy, but you’ll want to have it in the car just in case to avoid repercussions in the event someone asks to see it.
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Can You Rent A Car In Italy Easily And At A Reasonable Rate
For those who prefer a bit of spontaneity in their travel itinerary, renting a car is the ideal way to see Rome and the surrounding areas in Italy. You lose valuable holiday time when you try to maintain the train or bus schedule.
Plus, you don’t get to see some of the best sights since these modes of transportation are limited in their journeys. Some tips and tricks will help make driving even more of a treat, like booking attractions you want to visit ahead of schedule to avoid any hassle.
That means while you’ll want a free and impulsive schedule, you’ll still need something of an agenda, particularly if you’re traveling in a busy season, in order to avoid a rush of people. Let’s look at some helpful hints to make renting a car easy and more affordable.
The best deals will be available to you if you book well ahead of your travels
Most people planning a trip hope to save as much money as possible and establish a budget to keep all expenditures within. When traveling to a country like Italy, it’s wise to include renting a car within that budget and ensure you make arrangements well ahead of your scheduled departure.
Some suggest comparing rental agencies and making a booking approximately six months before the trip. You’ll want to ensure these can be canceled since, throughout that six-month time frame, you can continue to look to see if better deals pop up or discounts or promotions are made available.
There’s a considerable advantage to booking months or even just weeks ahead than if you were to show up at the rental agency to hire a car when you arrive in the country.
You’ll also be more likely to get the type and style of care you prefer, particularly if you prefer automatic transmission and a more budget-friendly small variety.
Consider the gas prices in Italy
The gas price in Italy is costly and continues to increase. In USD, for a gallon, you will pay roughly $8, a primary factor when planning a budget for your excursion.
Documents are of the utmost importance for a foreigner traveling within the country
Part of your planning ahead of the trip is ensuring you have all the adequate documents arranged and ready to bring with you to avoid any problems while visiting Italy. Some things you are required to have as a foreigner to the country include the following:
Your valid driving license
When visiting with the intention of driving throughout Rome and the surrounding areas, you must have a valid driving license from your home country. This needs to be for the primary driver operating the rental car.
The individual will need to have at least one year of experience as a motorist in order to rent a car. For someone visiting a country outside the EU, you will need an International Driving Permit, a critical document that must always remain inside the car.
The paperwork needs to be obtained prior to leaving your home country. In America, it’s suggested this process is relatively simple at a reasonable cost.
It’s not mandatory to present this document when hiring a car, but when driving the vehicle, it is the law that the paperwork is in the car. You should always be prepared if someone requests to see it.
If the police were to stop you for any reason, they could ask to see the IDP. When this is not in the car, you will receive hefty fines on the spot. The paperwork merely serves as a translation of your driving license, so the ID is understandable in other countries.
A passport will be necessary when traveling to Rome from another country
A wise step when taking your passport overseas is to keep your original passport safe but take a copy to put in the vehicle and show it to anyone who needs to see it. In this way, there will be no danger of losing the original or having it stolen.
You can do the same thing with your driving license. You can check with the manager with the accommodations where you’ll stay to keep these in a hotel safe in the same vein you would want any valuables you bring with you on the trip.
A valid credit card is essential
The valid credit card you used to book the rental car well ahead of schedule needs to be the same one you use to pick the vehicle up. Rental car agencies prefer credit cards over any other form of payment, usually not accepting any other option.
These offer security that most other payments don’t for both you and the agency. For individuals who will be driving but who didn’t pay for the booking, the person who used their credit card will need to be with you when the car is picked up with the card.
The car rental agency will place a hold on this credit card for a designated amount not to be returned until the car comes back without damages. A priority is to ensure you can cover this hold and that you didn’t intend this card to be used for your holiday.
It will be a significant amount in most cases and could impact your credit limit, disallowing you to use the card for other purposes while on the trip. Always use a separate card specifically for car rental and another for the holiday.
Do you need an automatic transmission?
One way to save money on a car rental in Rome is to be able to drive a manual vehicle instead of requesting an automatic transmission. The majority of cars in the rental agencies come with a stick shift. That’s because most people drive a manual car, and few drive automatic in other countries except for America.
If you need an automatic, it’s critical to request this when booking early, months ahead of the scheduled departure date, so you can be assured of getting one. These are “few and far between” and will cost considerably more than the manual.
You can also take a few quick lessons to learn how to drive a stick before heading to Rome. The only problem with that is you’re already going to be trying to understand the traffic patterns, roadways and signs, and the motorists’ behavior, plus find your way around. Do you really want to be new to driving a vehicle too? Probably not.
