Renting a Car in Sicily: Things to Know Before You Go

Sicily, a stunning island in the Mediterranean Sea, offers breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and a vibrant culture waiting to be explored. Renting a car is one of the best ways to discover the hidden gems in Sicily at your own pace. However, before you embark on your Sicilian road trip, there are a few essential things to keep in mind:

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1. Should You Rent a Car in Sicily?

Deciding whether to rent a car in Sicily involves weighing the freedom of exploring against the challenges of local driving. Having a car allows you to set your own itinerary and take spontaneous detours, which often result in some of the most memorable experiences. Be sure to also review whether a rental car fits within your travel budget.

It’s important to consider the driving environment in Sicily. The island’s narrow, winding roads, especially in historic towns and rural areas, can be challenging for those not accustomed to such conditions. Parking in popular tourist spots and city centers can be scarce and often requires understanding local rules, such as ZTL zones and color-coded parking regulations (more on these later). Additionally, you will likely find the local driving style more aggressive thank what you are used to. Navigating through Palermo and Catania can be daunting. Driving in smaller towns and on the Autostrada is much less intimidating than driving in these cities.

Alternatives to Renting a Car in Sicily

Public transport is widely available in Sicily and is relatively inexpensive. That said, you will spend quite a bit of your time waiting for trains or buses, and will need to do some walking to get to your destinations.

For those planning to stay in the cities and explore locally, car rentals are not needed and are more of a hassle than they’re worth. This can be combined with day tours with included drop-off and pickup if you would like to do an occasional excursion.

Recommendation for Renting a Car in Sicily

Renting a car in Sicily is ideal for those seeking the freedom to explore the island independently. We’d suggest renting a car in Sicily if you are comfortable navigating new environments and you value the convenience of traveling on your own schedule. If you decide to rent a car, preparation is key: familiarize yourself with local driving laws, plan your routes, and consider using apps for parking and navigating to enhance your driving experience in Sicily. Our recommendation is to rent a car for those times you are outside of Palermo and Catania only. Walk or use public transport when you are in these cities.

2. Booking Your Rental Car

Our preferred rental car site for bookings is Discovercars.com. They work with 500+ suppliers, and have great customer service in our experience. A few of the features I use for every rental are:

• Rental car company rating (specific to your pickup location): I only book with companies with an 8+ rating at the location (ideally 9+), and check reviews especially related to service.
• Full Insurance rental coverage: Buying full coverage is critical in Sicily. Most cars you rent will already have scratches and dings, and it is likely that you may add to them. Buying full insurance when reserving the car is much less expensive than buying on site.

Choosing the Right Vehicle

Check these vehicle options carefully when reserving:

• Car size: Consider the narrow and winding roads, especially in historic towns and rural areas. A compact car is often more manageable and can navigate through tight spaces more easily than a larger vehicle.
• Transmission: Most rental cars are manual. If you need automatic, be sure to select automatic when reserving your car. If you don’t reserve an automatic when booking, there may not be one available at pickup.
• Fuel type: You will typically see options for Diesel, Gas, Electric, and Hybrid. I’d recommend Diesel or Hybrid. Diesel is less expensive than Gas. I would choose hybrid over pure electric if you will be driving long distances due to the charging time.

3. Picking Up Your Rental Car

What You Need to Pick Up Your Car

You’ll need the following with you when you pick up your car:

• Driver’s license
• Passport
• Credit card
• For those with non-European driver’s licenses, an International Driving Permit, alongside your national driving license, is required. Make sure to obtain one before your trip.

It is important to keep these documents, along with your rental car paperwork, with you at all times when driving. Italian police will ask you for these if you are stopped for any reason.

I would also bring along proof of your insurance coverage that you purchased. The rental car companies will likely try to sell you on coverage when you pick up the car even though you already bought it.

What to Check When Picking Up Your Car

Before driving off:

• Inspect the rental car for any existing damage and make sure it’s noted by the rental company to avoid any disputes upon return.
• Understand the car rental’s fuel policy. The most common policy is “full to full,” where you pick up the car with a full tank and return it full to avoid additional charges. Check that the fuel is actually full.
• If you are renting the car between November 15 and April 15, check to see if snow tires or chains are included with the car; and whether they are required where you are going.

Last but not least, check what type of fuel the car has. On our last trip, we picked up our car in Catania. Within half an hour, a low fuel alarm was going off. It turns out they gave us a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) car, and we were running out of the CNG, which had not been filled up. Once we ran out of CNG, we only had 110 km (68 miles) worth of gas in the car. CNG stations are scarce on the island. Though there is a website listing stations with CNG, most no longer carried it. We found stations in Palermo and Catania. When we were driving from Agrigento and ran out off CNG, we had to stop for gas every hour (or every 110 km0. Unless you are staying in one of the big cities, renting a CNG car in Sicily is not a great option.

4. Driving in Sicily

When driving in Sicily, acquaint yourself with local driving conventions, especially regarding traffic circles (roundabouts), ZTL zones, and speed cameras.

Driving Style

Be prepared for a more aggressive driving style than you might be used to and adapt accordingly while maintaining safety. Especially in Palermo and Catania, drivers will cut you off. It feels quite chaotic at times. Be ready to brake or veer out of the way quickly. From experience, if you make eye contact with another driver in a merge situation, expect that they will cut in front of you. Motor bikes will ride between lanes of cars and will cut you off as well.

Once you leave these bigger cities, you can still expect that drivers will be aggressive and that motor bikes will zig zag through traffic, There is more room for everyone to maneuver though, so it is less stressful.

Roundabouts (Traffic Circles)

Sicily, like much of Italy, is fond of using traffic circles to manage intersections. The rule is simple: vehicles within the circle have the right of way, and those entering must yield. In Sicily, however, you’ll find that drivers don’t consistently yield to those already in the traffic circle. Assume that cars will cut in front of you and be ready to brake.

Speed Cameras

Speed cameras are widespread across Sicilian roads, strategically placed to enforce speed limits within urban areas, on highways, and near critical safety zones such as schools. These cameras are well-marked, and speed limits are clearly posted, but it’s easy to get caught off-guard if you’re not paying attention. Fines for speeding can be hefty and may take time to reach you if you’re renting a car. They are typically sent to the rental agency first.

ZTL Zones

Understanding ZTL zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato) is essential for anyone planning to drive in Sicily. These zones are restricted traffic areas established in many cities and towns to preserve historic centers, reduce congestion, and minimize pollution. Access to ZTL zones is regulated by specific times and requires a special permit. Typically, cameras are set up at the entrances of these zones to automatically fine unauthorized vehicles that enter.

The rules and timings for ZTL zones can vary significantly from one city to another and even from day to day, making it crucial for you to stay informed and vigilant. You can enter the ZTL zone when the green light is on. It is easiest to avoid driving in these areas altogether. Instead, consider parking outside the ZTL and using public transport or walking to explore the historic centers.

5. Parking

Navigating parking rules in Sicily is crucial for a hassle-free car rental experience. The island uses a color-coded system to indicate parking regulations:

• Blue lines mark paid parking zones, where you’re required to pay at a nearby parking meter or automatic machine during designated hours. These tickets must be displayed on your car’s dashboard. Alternatively, you can use the EasyPark app (more below), with no ticket needed.
• Yellow lines are reserved for specific users, such as residents or disabled parking, and parking here without the appropriate permit can result in fines.
• White lines denote free parking areas, but it’s important to check any posted signs for time restrictions or other regulations.

To simplify the parking process, consider using the EasyPark app. This convenient app allows you to find and pay for parking right from your smartphone, covering both blue and white line spaces where applicable. You can also use this to extend or shorten your parking time, meaning that you only pay for the exact time that you use. Our ferry was delayed returning from one of the Egadi Islands. We simply opened the app and adjusted our parking end time, avoiding a ticket.

Renting a car in Sicily can turn a simple vacation into an unforgettable adventure. With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to exploring the beauty of Sicily safely and at your own pace. Safe travels!

If you are planning a trip to Sicily, you may like our other Sicily guides:

• How to Plan your Week in Western Sicily Away from the Crowds
• How to Find Safe Havens for Sicily Bike Travel
• How to Plan a Perfect Eastern Sicily Travel Itinerary
• Egadi Islands, Italy: Levanzo Day Trip
• One Day in Syracuse, Sicily
• Favignana Day Trip: Exploring the Butterfly Island
• Day Trip Mt. Etna: An Adventure Like No Other

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