After our road trip from Turin to Rome, we quickly realized that driving in Italy comes with a few surprises. Here’s everything we wish we knew before renting a car — so you can be prepared and avoid our mistakes.
Renting a Car in Italy
We picked up our rental car in Turin after landing. We had already paid online, but at the desk, they asked to block €2,000 on a credit card as a deposit.
Here’s the problem:
The driver, cardholder, and person who made the reservation must be the same person. One of us had the card, another made the reservation — and the rental company wouldn’t accept it.
Changing the name on the reservation involved calling customer service, which we couldn’t reach on our phones. Eventually, the agent helped us make the call — and 45 minutes later, the name was updated.
Tip: When booking your car, make sure the driver has a credit card with a high enough limit.
Parking in Italian Cities
If you’re planning a road trip in Italy, budget for parking.
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Blue-lined spots in cities are for paid public parking.
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They’re free from 8 PM to 8 AM, but during the day, they cost around €1.50 per hour.
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Use nearby ticket machines, enter the estimated time, and place the printed ticket visibly on your dashboard.
We stayed longer than expected a few times and got a €25 fine. You can pay fines at banks or post offices.
Daily parking garages cost €20–30/day. In Florence, since we didn’t use the car, we parked it in a garage for the entire stay.
Toll Roads in Italy
Italy’s highways are mostly toll roads. Be sure to:
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Avoid electronic toll lanes (Telepass) unless you have a device.
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Choose the lanes that give a paper ticket upon entry.
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Pay at the exit toll booth — sometimes to a person, often to a machine.
Once, we didn’t have enough coins, and the machine didn’t accept our card. We pressed the help button, got a receipt, and paid later at the address provided.
Always carry enough coins in case there’s no attendant.
Fuel Stations
Not every gas station has an attendant. Often, you’ll have to:
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Pay at the machine
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Fill the tank yourself
Machines don’t always accept foreign credit cards, so it’s smart to keep some cash handy just in case.
Traffic Fines: The Hidden Cost
This was the biggest surprise. Even after we returned home, fines kept arriving — some were even charged to our credit card months later.
We received speeding and ZTL (limited traffic zone) fines in the mail, long after the trip ended. Honestly, it felt like a never-ending nightmare.
Don’t ignore fines or cancel your card — this could affect future travel within Europe.
Final Advice
Driving through Italy is an incredible experience, but it comes with rules and red tape.
Here’s a quick checklist:
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Match the driver, credit card, and reservation name
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Carry coins and cash for tolls and fuel
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Know where you can and can’t park
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Follow speed limits and traffic laws strictly
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Expect parking and toll costs to add up
With the right prep, a road trip in Italy can be a dream. Just be ready for a few bumps along the way — and don’t forget to enjoy the ride!
