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Find lower car rental prices in Rome with Road Genius. Compare rates of SUVs, hatchbacks, people movers and make bookings with no booking fees. Pick up your rental car at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Ciampino Airport (CIA) or in the city center near Termini. Explore the center on foot and rent when departing to avoid ZTL restrictions. The GRA ring road connects you to the A1 for Florence and Naples and routes to the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) | • Largest selection of vehicles • 24/7 operation • Major international brands • Easy highway access |
• Airport surcharge (approximately 16%) • 30-60 minute queues during peak times • 30 km (18.6 miles) from city center |
| Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA) | • Smaller, potentially faster service • Closer to southeast Rome • All major rental companies |
• More limited vehicle selection • Airport surcharge • Rental desks in parking areas P6/P8 |
| Rome City Center | • No airport surcharge • Convenient if already in Rome • Good for renting after city visit |
• Limited selection • Navigating city traffic and ZTL • Restricted operating hours |
Most visitors find it best to explore Rome without a car, then rent when departing the city. The historic center has extensive ZTL zones, challenging traffic and limited parking.
On average, car rentals in Rome cost around €76 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €8 per day.
Time your pickup smartly. Do Rome car-free, then rent when leaving. City pickups avoid the ~16% airport surcharge, but hours are limited and some close midday. Airports allow after-hours returns; FCO is 24/7 but expect 30-60 min queues in peak.
Choose location by route. FCO has the biggest fleets and easiest highway access. CIA is closer to southeast Rome. City branches are fine if you’re already in town and don’t need airport hours.
Manual = cheaper. Automatics cost 30-50% more and are limited. For summer in Rome, book an automatic early if you need it.
Size smart. Economy/compact or a station wagon is cheaper to run and easier to park than an SUV in Italian towns and garages.
Work the pricing. For 5+ days, compare weekly vs daily totals. If your itinerary ends in another city, compare one-way options as some routes have low or waived fees.
Trim extras, avoid penalties. Extra driver (~€5-10/day), GPS (~€5-15/day), child seats (~€10/day) add up. Use your phone for nav, only add drivers you’ll use, prebook seats. Refill within 5-10 km (3.1-6.2 miles) of drop-off and learn Rome’s ZTL to avoid fines and admin fees.
Rome has one of Italy's largest and most strictly enforced Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL):
| ZTL Area | Restriction Hours | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Centro Storico (Historic Center) | Weekdays: 6:30-18:00 Weekend restrictions vary |
• Covers most tourist areas including Pantheon, Piazza Navona • Camera enforcement at all entry points • Fines can be substantial, plus a rental company admin fee |
| Trastevere | Evening and night hours (varies by season) |
• Popular dining/nightlife district • Especially strict on weekend nights |
| San Lorenzo/Testaccio | Evening restrictions on weekends | • Nightlife areas that have varying schedules |
| Vatican Area | Included in Centro Storico ZTL | • Limited access during papal events |
ZTL Avoidance Strategy:
| Car Space Type | Overview | Cost (Approximate) | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street Spaces | Blue lines at meters | Hourly rates apply during day Often free overnight (20:00-8:00) |
• Limited availability in center • Read signs carefully for restrictions • Pay at meter and display ticket |
| Villa Borghese | Underground garage near Spanish Steps | Hourly and daily rates apply Daily maximum rates are available |
• Large capacity • Central location • 24-hour operation |
| Terminal Gianicolo | Garage near Vatican | Hourly and daily rates Daily maximum rates available |
• Good for Vatican visits • Outside ZTL • Connected by escalators |
| Metro Station Spaces | Peripheral lots at metro stations | Daily rates apply | • Park & Ride option • Anagnina, Laurentina, others • Connect to Metro lines |
| Hotel Spaces | Varies by property | Daily charges apply in central hotels | • Limited availability • Often valet service • Reservation recommended |
Tips for Finding a Space:
Consider security when choosing areas, especially overnight
Speed Limits:
Traffic Cameras: Speed and red light cameras common. Signs usually warn of their presence.
Limited Traffic Days: Occasional vehicle restrictions during high pollution days. Usually affects older, more polluting vehicles only.
Get a rental car to drive to:
Castelli Romani – lakes, vineyards, towns
Tivoli – Villa d’Este, Villa Adriana
Lazio beaches – Ostia, Anzio, Sperlonga
Umbria and northern Lazio – Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio, Calcata
Amalfi Coast – Amalfi
Naples area – Pompeii, Naples
Should I drive in Rome's city center? No, we don't recommend driving in Rome's historic center. The area has many ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) rules, tricky one-way streets and very little parking. You should use public transport in the city and only rent a car when you're leaving Rome.
Where can I park near major attractions in Rome? To visit the Vatican, you can park at Terminal Gianicolo or Parcheggio Cavalleggeri. For the historic center, the Villa Borghese underground parking garage is handy for the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain area. To see the Colosseum, you can try the parking lots along Via di San Gregorio or Via Claudia.
How do I avoid ZTL fines in Rome? You should look at a ZTL map before you drive, use a navigation app that shows ZTL zones and never just follow your GPS into the historic center. If your hotel is inside a ZTL, you need to contact them beforehand so they can register your car. If you're not sure, it's best to park outside the restricted areas and use public transport.
What documents do I need to rent a car in Rome? You'll need a valid driver's license and an International Driving Permit (people with non-EU licenses, including from the U.S., often need one). You also need your passport or EU ID card, a credit card in the driver's name and your booking confirmation.
Which airport is better for picking up a rental car, Fiumicino or Ciampino? At Fiumicino (FCO), you'll find a bigger choice of cars and companies. They also have longer opening hours and let you return cars 24/7. Ciampino (CIA) is smaller and closer to the city, but it has fewer options. The prices are similar at both airports, even with the airport fee.
Is it easy to return a rental car to Rome's airports? Yes, you'll find both Rome airports have clearly marked areas for returning rental cars. At FCO, you just need to follow signs for "Rent-a-car Return" in the multi-level parking garage. At CIA, you can return cars to the marked areas in the P6/P8 parking lot. We suggest you allow extra time at FCO, as finding the right return area can be tricky the first time.
What are some good day trips from Rome by car? People often enjoy driving to the Castelli Romani hill towns (30-45 minutes). You can also visit Tivoli to see Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana (45 minutes). Other popular day trips are beaches like Ostia or Anzio (30-60 minutes), the town of Orvieto and southern Tuscany (1.5-2 hours) and the Garden of Ninfa and Sermoneta (1 hour south).
How much should I budget for tolls when traveling from Rome? If you drive from Rome to Florence, you can expect to pay about €18 in tolls each way. For Rome to Naples, it's about €16 each way. On the toll roads (autostrade), they usually charge you based on how far you drive. It's a good idea to have some euro cash as a backup, but most toll booths accept credit cards.
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