Car rental in Catania

Renting a car in Catania provides convenient access to explore the entire island of Sicily and its attractions. The city features well-developed road infrastructure, making it an excellent starting point for your journey.

With a rental car, you'll have the flexibility to navigate both Catania itself and take comprehensive road trips along the Sicilian coastline. You can quickly reach the beaches of the Ionian Sea, mountain villages, or historic cities like Taormina and Syracuse, and explore the island's more remote areas.

Benefits of Car Rental in Catania Through Localrent

Booking a car in Catania through our service provides quality transportation without unnecessary complications. Localrent advantages:

1. Small advance payment when booking — only 15–20% of the order cost. The remaining amount is paid to the rental provider when collecting the vehicle.
2. Transparent pricing without hidden fees, charges, or taxes. You'll know the final rental cost in advance, with no unpleasant surprises when picking up the car.
3. Simple and intuitive website interface. You can complete your booking in just a few minutes, even if this is your first time using online car rental services.
4. Convenient filters for vehicle selection. Choose cars by class, brand, transmission type, deposit conditions, or insurance type. This saves time and simplifies finding the right option.
5. Various vehicle classes available. You'll find compact models for city driving as well as spacious SUVs and minivans for extended family trips or traveling with a large group.

Requirements for Car Rental

To rent a car in Catania, you'll need:

• Valid driver's license
• Passport
• Booking voucher (sent to your email after advance payment)

Rental companies also have minimum age and driving experience requirements for renters. These vary by vehicle model and are specified in individual vehicle listings. Use filters to display only offers that match your qualifications.

Traffic Regulations in Catania: Key Points

Traffic rules in Catania follow standard Italian regulations. Road markings and signs meet European standards, though text is typically in Italian. Access to the historic city center (ZTL zone) is restricted and requires special permits.

Parking violations and unauthorized ZTL zone entries are recorded by traffic cameras, with fines automatically issued based on vehicle registration numbers.

Standard speed limits for Italy apply:

• Within city limits — up to 50 km/h
• Outside urban areas — up to 90 km/h
• On main suburban roads — up to 110 km/h
• On highways — up to 130 km/h (may be reduced to 110 km/h in adverse weather conditions)

Local drivers often display expressive behavior on the road. They may honk when traffic stalls at lights or maneuver actively in heavy traffic flow.

Permitted blood alcohol content is 0.5 per mille for experienced drivers and 0.0 per mille for drivers with less than 3 years of experience. Insurance companies may deny coverage if the driver was found to be operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Gas Stations

Gas stations are abundant in Catania and surrounding areas, particularly at city exits and along main highways. Both major chain stations — Eni, Q8, IP — and local stations operate in the area. Stations offer two service modes:

Full-service — fueling through station attendant Self-service — self-fueling (slightly lower fuel prices)

Some stations operate in automated mode only during nighttime hours. In this case, payment is possible only by bank card. Keep your receipt, as night inspectors may request it.

Parking Conditions

Most parking in Catania is paid (Zona Blu), marked by blue lines. Payment can be made through parking meters, mobile apps, or at tobacco shops (Tabacchi).

Free parking is indicated by white markings. There are almost none in central districts, but many on the outskirts. However, during peak season, even these free parking spaces fill up quickly. Resident and special vehicle zones are marked with yellow lines — parking there is prohibited.

Near tourist attractions, time-limited parking zones are in effect. When parking in such zones, you must display a ticket behind the windshield indicating your arrival time. Check surrounding signs for maximum parking duration.

How to Book a Car in Catania

To rent a car in Catania, follow these steps:

1. Specify pickup/return location and rental dates. The service will display all available vehicles for your selected period.
2. Use search filters. Add preferences for transmission type, deposit amount, vehicle class (economy, comfort, luxury), child seat availability, or "Cross-border travel" option.
3. Review rental terms. In the offer listing, examine vehicle specifications, add necessary services, and select insurance type.
4. Complete driver information and pay the advance. It's only 15–20% of the order cost.
5. Check your booking voucher via email. You'll need to present it when collecting the vehicle, either electronically or printed.
   

What to See in Catania With Your Rental Car

Car rental in Catania opens access to Sicily's scenic routes. Five popular destinations:

1. Mount Etna. Active volcano located within the namesake natural park, offering panoramic coastal views. A crossover is the best choice for this trip.
2. Taormina. Resort town on the Ionian Sea coast. Don't miss the ancient theater, Villa Comunale gardens, and climb on foot to the observation point on Mount Tauro.
3. Syracuse. Historic city with ruins of ancient Greek temples, theaters, and necropolises. Across the bridge lies Ortigia island, featuring the Temple of Apollo, Fountain of Diana, and other attractions. Choose a compact car for this trip — it's easier to park on narrow streets.
4. Acireale and Aci Trezza. Picturesque coastal towns with baroque architecture. On Sundays, seafood can be purchased directly from fishing boats. You may recognize Acireale and Aci Trezza from ancient Greek legends — this is where Odysseus blinded the Cyclops during his journey.
5. Giardini-Naxos. Popular beach resort with a long promenade and convenient access from the A18 highway.

Where to Rent a Car in Catania

Most rental company offices are located at Catania Fontanarossa Airport (Aeroporto di Catania Fontanarossa), as tourists prefer to collect their vehicle immediately upon arrival.

Some rental providers deliver vehicles throughout the city: to the central station (Catania Centrale), hotels, restaurants, or apartments. You can select a vehicle handover location using the "Specify location" filter.

Rental Tips

Before booking a car in Catania, consider several practical points. This helps avoid unpleasant surprises during your vacation.

Consider Fuel Policy Terms

Most rental providers require returning the vehicle with the same fuel level as at pickup. If fuel is lower, you'll pay for the shortage at the rental company's rates, which are considerably high.

Follow ZTL Zone Entry Rules

Catania's historic center is a restricted traffic zone. Entry without authorization is prohibited. Violations are recorded by cameras. Watch for signs to avoid potential fines.

Choose Your Vehicle Based on Route Plans

For mountain trips and winding roads, a vehicle with a powerful engine is more suitable. For city travel, a compact model is the better choice — finding parking will be easier.

Frequently Asked Questions