17 Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Milan Italy

Considering renting a car in Milan? Look no further, then. In this post, I will tell you all about renting a car in Milan, including practical tips and more.

I used to live in Milan for many years and every time I go back I usually rent a car because I don’t have my own car anymore and having the flexibility to move around at my own place is priceless.

So even if the public transportation in Milan and the surrounding is relatively good, a car is almost usually the best choice. In this post, I will also explain when you don’t need it instead.

Besides being the world’s fashion capital and Italy’s second-largest city, Milan is also known for its history, architecture, and cuisine (but it’s Italy so you get mouth-watering cuisine almost everywhere).

If you are wondering, to move around in Milan, it’s best to use public transportation or, at night, taxis.

However, renting a car in Milan is the best choice when it comes to exploring the nearby attractions.

If this is your plan, then keep reading. In this post, I will share everything you need to know before renting a car in Milan including – but not limited to – driving tips, necessary documents, and where to find the cheapest car.

Things to know before renting a car in Milan 

1. Make sure you have the necessary documents 

First things first, you won’t be able to rent a car in the first place unless you bring some necessary documents. Luckily, you only really need 3 documents.

👉🏽 ID (passport): All rental companies require some form of ID before they let you rent a car.

For this purpose, your passport will do to verify your identity and country of origin. 

👉🏽 Driver’s license: If you’re traveling from US, Canada, EU, Australia, or New Zealand, you shouldn’t need an IDP to drive in Italy.

Some car rental agencies will outright require an IDP before they let you rent a car; so yeah, get an IDP.

An International Driver’s Permit translates your license into 10 different languages, which will make it easier to minimize language barriers when you’re driving around in Italy. 

👉🏽 Age eligibility: You need to be at least 21 years old in order to rent a car in Italy. That being said, most rental companies will charge drivers under 25 extra for the additional insurance risk.

Some rental agencies might also have a soft upper age limit, typically around 65-75, after which you’ll be required to provide additional documentation to prove that you’re fit to drive.

Typically, a medical certificate from your doctor and documentation from your insurance provider should be sufficient.

2. Payment mode & terms

The next most important thing after your documents are the payment terms. I recommend paying for your rental with a credit card because it’s easier, but you basically have 3 main options.

👉🏽 Credit card: All rental companies will accept credit cards in Italy. The reason is that they put a holding charge on your card to cover any potential damages.

Don’t worry, it’s just a security deposit that will be released once you return your car; make sure you have enough credit available on your card for the hold.

It’ll also help if the credit card is in the name of the driver who will be driving the rental.

👉🏽 Debit card: A few car rental companies in Milan will accept a debit card.

However, most won’t, for the aforementioned reasons. Make sure to inquire with the rental agency beforehand if they accept debit cards.

👉🏽 PayPal: Some agencies will also accept PayPal as a payment method.

However, just as with debit cards, you should inquire from the agency beforehand about whether they accept PayPal and whether there are any additional charges.

3. Understand the car rental insurance policies 

Since you can’t drive in Italy without valid insurance, you’ll also need to be aware of the insurance options.

👉🏽 Collision Damage Waiver Insurance (CDW): CDW is the most basic type of insurance offered by rental agencies that limits your financial responsibility in case of an accident. It still comes with a deductible, which can get quite high at times. 

If possible, try to opt for an SCDW (Super Collision Damage Waiver).

The advantage of SCDW is that it covers much more of the car than the basic CDW, and, in many cases, it either completely eliminates the deductible or significantly reduces it.

👉🏽 Credit card insurance: Your credit card company might offer rental car insurance as a perk.

However, this insurance is secondary, meaning it’ll only take effect once your primary insurance has been exhausted.

Be sure to inquire with your CC company if they offer this, and, if so, what the terms of the insurance are.

👉🏽 Car rental insurance cost: Insurance costs for your rental can vary greatly depending on what type of car you’re driving, the duration of the rental, and the rental agency.

Typically, SCDW will cost you around €20 to €30 per day; but that cost can go up depending on the aforementioned factors.

👉🏽 Discover car insurance – I usually recommend booking your car rental on the aggregator Discover Cars, because on their platform, you can compare rates from different companies.

They also offer full coverage for only 7.13 USD per day. Just make sure you read the fine print.

4. Choose your rental car strategically

Some options are just better when it comes to picking which car to rent. Here are the factors you should consider when making your decision.

👉🏽 Transmission type: If you’re used to a stick shift, the good news is that manual cars are actually cheaper to rent.

On the other hand, if you’re not comfortable with a manual transmission, opt for an automatic car.

Be aware, however, that automatic cars are both more expensive to rent and are less common, so you might want to make your booking in advance.

👉🏽 Size of car: Opting for a smaller car comes with several advantages. For one, smaller cars consume significantly less fuel, so you’ll save a ton on fuel costs.

The second huge advantage is that smaller cars are much better suited to Milan’s narrow streets, which can get quite busy during rush hours and in peak tourism season. 

👉🏽 Pickup and drop-off locations: Some pickup and drop-off locations may incur additional charges.

Typically, pickup and drop-off locations at airports and train stations incur extra charges. Research the most economical locations for yourself, and use those.

👉🏽 Read the reviews: Reviews from previous customers, both about the car and the rental agency, provide valuable insights into both.

Do some extra research online and read reviews before making your final decision.

5. Read your contract & avoid extra charges 

Nobody wants to be hit with extra charges. In order to avoid that, make sure you read your contract thoroughly (including the fine print) and follow these two tips.

👉🏽 Take a walk around and inspect your rental car: When you pick up your rental, be sure to inspect it thoroughly and note any existing damage to the car.

Take photos and videos of any scratches, dents, broken features, etc., and report them to the agent (make sure it’s documented).

That way, you won’t be held responsible for any preexisting damages when you return your car.

👉🏽 Return your rental car with the same amount of fuel when you received it: Most, if not all, rental agencies have a full fuel tank policy, which means you’ll get your car with a full or nearly full tank, and you’re supposed to return your car with the same amount.

If you don’t do so, your rental agency will deduct a certain amount from your security deposit. So make sure to return your rental with a full fuel tank.

6. Drive on the right-hand side of the road

Driving on the right-hand side can be disorienting if you’re coming from a country that drives on the left. Safety comes first, and it’s important that you take your time and ease into it.

If you come from the US, you are good!

A few things to keep in mind are:

✔️ Stay in the right lane, not just in Milan, but throughout Italy.

✔️ In cases when you have to switch to the left lane to overtake slower vehicles, exercise extra caution.

✔️ At roundabouts, give way to traffic coming from the left side. 

✔️ Be aware of the oncoming traffic when turning left.

7. Road layouts can be curvy and confusing

Milan’s roads and streets can be quite confusing for visitors, presenting unique challenges for drivers who are new to the city.

Keep the following tips in mind to navigate the city like a pro. 

🚗 The streets are narrow and have tight corners. When you combine that with Italian drivers, who are known to drive aggressively, staying alert is mandatory. 

🚗 Some roads in Milan, especially in the city center, are one-way or have restricted access. Pay close attention to navigation apps and road signs to avoid driving the wrong way or entering a restricted zone.

🚗 Rural roads outside the city aren’t that much better. They’re winding, curvy, and can have limited visibility. While they’ll have less traffic, you should still exercise caution on them.

8. Use of your GPS navigation (Google Maps)

Google Maps or WAZE are the best apps for navigation purposes, not just in Milan, but almost anywhere on the planet.

On Google Maps, you can also download maps offline for later use, offline navigation, real-time traffic updates, alternative routes during rush hours, road closures, or construction, voice-guided navigation, etc., making the app a must-have. 

So, if you’re going to be visiting Milan, I highly recommend Google Maps.

Make sure you save the city’s map offline on your device; Milan has excellent internet connectivity, but you never know.

9. Parking can be a challenge

With narrow roads come parking challenges. You basically have 3 options available when it comes to parking in Milan.

🅿️ Free parking is indicated by white-colored areas. These are rare to find in or near the city center.

🅿️ Paid parking is indicated by a blue sign on the road. You can find parking garages, lots, or metered street parking all over the city. Paid parking will cost you around €3 per hour.

🅿️ Residents-only parking is indicated by yellow. As the name implies, yellow zones are reserved only for people who have resident permits.

10. Many of the best places are closed to cars

Milan is a city with a very interesting history, and, as such, there are tons of great places to explore.

However, many of these places are closed to traffic. In these cases, you’ll have to park your car and walk for a bit to get to these places. z

Alternatively, you can make use of Milan’s excellent public transportation system to explore these places and use your car everywhere else.

11. Limited traffic zones in Milan (ZTL Zones)

ZTL stands for Zona a Traffico Limitato or Limited Traffic Zone. ZTLs are spread throughout Italy, and Milan is no exception. Their purpose is to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. 

As a tourist, you need to be aware of the following information about ZTLs.

👉🏽 Vehicle access to ZTLs is restricted during the mentioned hours. Each ZTL will have signs mentioning the hours during which traffic is restricted. During these hours, typically only residents, authorized vehicles, or those with special permits can drive inside ZTLs.

👉🏽 Make note of the ZTLs around Milan, and their hours if you plan to go somewhere.

👉🏽 If your hotel/accommodations are located within a ZTL, ask your hotel/host for a temporary permit or nearby parking locations outside the zone. 

12. Toll fees can be expensive

If you plan to drive on the Autostrada, the Italian motorway, be prepared to pay toll fees.

These fees can be a bit expensive and should be factored into your budget. There are 3 main ways of paying the toll.

💰 Cash: In case you want to use cash to pay your tolls, follow the white-painted lines to the white signs that have the cash sign on them

💰 Debit/credit card: For card payments, you can follow the blue lines. Some white lines (not all), also accept cards; a white sign with the icon of a card and cash will indicate these.

💰 Telepass: In case you have a Telepass card, look for the Telepass sign on top of the paying boot when you enter the highway and when you leave

13. Stop by an Autogrill

Stopping by the Autogrill is a must-have experience if you’re going to be traveling on the Autostrada.

Autogrill is a popular chain of restaurants scattered throughout Italy’s motorways. It’s so popular that, at this point, all motorway restaurants are referred to as Autogrill by the Italians.

Each Autogrill location will have a restaurant, a shop, restrooms, and a fuel station.

Take advantage of these when traveling on the motorways to experience this unique Italian way.

My sister and I love to stop by an auto grill, and sometimes we drive during lunch or breakfast time so that we can stop there for our meal.

14. Follow Milan driving laws

Following traffic laws is a must when traveling to any location. Doing so makes sure that you and other people have a safe experience. In particular, be aware of these.

✔️ Traffic lights: Traffic lights work the same way in Milan: red means stop, yellow means caution, and green means go. Also, be aware that turning at red lights is not allowed anywhere in Italy.

✔️ Signage: Road signs are standardized throughout the EU, so if you’re traveling from within the E,U you won’t have much of a problem. In any case, you should familiarize yourself with Italian signs and learn the meaning of common phrases on the signs to understand important information.

✔️ Seat belts: Wearing seat belts is mandatory for all car passengers throughout Italy. Remember, safety always comes first.

✔️ Use of mobile phones: Using your phone while driving is illegal in Milan and throughout Italy. If you need to make a call when driving, you will need to stop and park the car first. Speakers are not allowed either.

✔️ Drunk driving: The BAC limits in Italy are 0.05% if you have more than 3 years of driving experience, and 0% if you have less than 3 years.

I highly recommend that you err on the side of caution and not drive after drinking. If you drink, even socially, please use the public transport system or a taxi.

15. Car seats: General requirements

If you’re traveling with children and they’re not going to be accompanied in the back seat by someone who’s 16 or older, you’re legally required to have car seats when driving. 

All children with a height of less than 150 cm (4.92 feet) and weighing less than 36 kgs (79.3 lbs) have to be strapped into a car seat that’s appropriate for their height and weight.

There’s no age limit for this rule in Italy, only height and weight.

Most rental companies offer the option of car seats, but they come at a significant cost. You may want to consider traveling with your own car seats to avoid the extra charges.

Alternatively, if you’re planning a trip that’ll last over a week, you can buy a car seat for the duration; for trips lasting several days, the cost of a rented car seat will exceed the cost of buying one.

16. Types of roads & speed limits

There are 4 main types of roads in Italy with their own speed limits.

👉🏽 Autostrada: Motorways have a speed limit of 130 km/h (80 mph), but this will be reduced to 110 km/h (68 mph) in case of inclement weather conditions like snow or wet weather.

👉🏽 Strada Extraurbana Principale and Strada Extraurbana Secondaria: Main and secondary extra-urban roads have a speed limit of 90 km/h (56 mph), or 80km/h (49 mph) in bad weather conditions.

👉🏽 Strada Urbana: On urban roads, the speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph).

👉🏽 Strada Bianca: The literal translation is “white road”. These are basically unpaved roads. Speed limits on these vary according to signage on the road. In case you can’t spot signage, drive in a way that feels safe for both you and other drivers.

17. Know the emergency hotlines (in case of car breakdowns & accidents)

It always pays to prepare in advance for emergencies, no matter where you’re traveling. Save the following numbers for when you’re visiting Italy.

📞 116: Italian roadside assistance

📞 112: European emergency number

📞 113: Local police

📞 Also have the contact number of your rental agency in case of any issues related to your rental.

Do you need to rent a car in Milan, Italy?

If you’re just going to stay in Milan and you’re not going to explore the surrounding areas, you don’t really need to rent a car.

When I used to live in Italy, I didn’t own a car, and moving around the city by tram, buses, and underground transportation was very easy.

Nowadays, Google Maps not only tells you the best route but also provides transportation options.

The city has an excellent public transportation system, which will let you see almost all of the sights; for the rest, you can use taxis or ridesharing services. 

However, if you don’t want to limit yourself to just Milan when you’re visiting, having a car will let you explore everything at your own pace and on your own terms.

📌 Can foreigners drive in Milan?

Yes. Provided that you fulfill all the requirements I’ve covered in the first point, you can drive in Milan without any issues.

📌 Can Americans rent a car in Milan, Italy?

Yes, Americans will have no issues with renting a car in Milan, Italy. If you’re traveling from the US, though, I highly recommend that you make your booking online.

That way, you’ll often score much better deals compared to getting a rental in person when you’re in the city.

📌 How much does it cost to rent a car in Milan, Italy?

The cost of renting a car in Italy can vary significantly depending on the type of car you rent, the rental agency, the time of year, and other factors.

Typically, a small car will cost you about €30-€60 per day. Keep in mind that this figure doesn’t include fuel, insurance, tolls, and other expenses.

📌 Is driving in Milan, Italy, easy?

It depends on your personal experiences with driving. If you’re already used to driving on the right side of the road and navigating narrow streets, you’ll find adjusting to Milan quite easy.

Don’t worry if that’s not you; you can still ease into it. It’s not very difficult to get used to driving in Milan.

Best rental cars in Milan, Italy

Milan has no shortage of places to rent a car. My personal recommendation is Discover Cars. I cannot recommend that service highly enough.

When you go online and search for a rental, you get results from a variety of rental agencies, and you can pick the best option out of those.

There are no hidden fees; what you see is what you get.

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Car in Milan

Final Thoughts: Things to know before renting a car in Milan Italy

And there you go! In this article, I covered all the tips you need to know in order to rent a car in Milan like a pro.

Now you know about all the documents you need, different payment methods you can use, how to navigate the narrow roads, and much more.

Now, ultimately, the decision to rent a car in Milan rests with you; you can decide based on your preferences and the experiences you wish to have.

Either way, Milan is an excellent city where you’ll have a great time, regardless of whether you rent a car or not. Safe travels!