Car hire in Messina, Italy

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There are 19 car hire providers in Messina. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Messina

Hiring a car in Messina: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyhsa rent a car
Most popular carEconomy, Convertible
Average daily price$303
Best time to bookLess than 1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Messina

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Messina car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Messina

  • Grab a cheap rental car in Messina and start your adventure for around $303 a day. From solo rides to family outings, we'll find the right wheels for whatever you have planned.

  • Daily home prices in Messina start from just $46.

  • Planning to stay longer? Grab a weekly home from $318 and squeeze in a few road trips.

  • To score the best price on a Messina car hire, try to book ahead. Rates generally rise as your travel dates get closer, and you might have less to pick from.

  • Check out the offers available with hsa rent a car, Sicily by Car and Maggiore. They're among the top-rated providers in the city.

  • Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Messina car hire policy, whether you book with hsa rent a car or another supplier. Some companies might not include it in the base price and instead sell it separately.

  • Booking one-way could snag you a cheaper rate on your home. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved around. Simply select 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in Messina.

  • Avoid any unexpected charges by booking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.

  • Want to explore more without worrying about the number of miles you clock up? Find homes with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra costs.

Best value car hire options right now

  • Coming in first for value is this company, with average prices of $125 a day.

  • Coming in second, this provider offers daily rates of around $161.

  • The third option also comes in as one of the cheaper suppliers. Pick up one of their homes for roughly $175 a day.

  • The Economy home category is a reliable option if you can't decide what kind of wheels you need. It's also the car type that's booked more than any other in Messina.

Compare car hire types in Messina

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Messina is all about getting you on the road for less. These compact, fuel-efficient rides are excellent for city driving and short trips.

  • Medium: Not too small, not too big, this is the just-right ride you need in your life. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of interior space and fuel efficiency and are suited to small families and couples.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the bags, the snacks, the lot. Large vehicles have got the space to carry it all without breaking a sweat. Ideal for longer drives, this Messina car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: When adventure's on your mind, an SUV's made for the moment. It's your ultimate road trip buddy, ready for highways, backroads, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also deliver on space and advanced safety features.

  • Van: Choose this category of vehicle when you need a car for rent in Messina that can handle the heavy stuff. Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's supplies, suitcases or the whole travel crew.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your Messina car hire is damaged or stolen. While not mandatory, it's a smart add-on if you'd rather play it safe. Just remember that not all insurance policies are equal, so make sure you know exactly what's offered.

  • Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Messina by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep you headed the right way, or reverse cameras to park like you're pulling off a choreographed routine.

Good to know

  • To rent a car in Italy, you generally have to be at least 21 years old. Some places may allow younger drivers to rent vehicles at an extra cost, so carefully review the policies before securing your ride.

  • If you're going away with the kids, check if you need to add a child car seat to your Messina car hire booking. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to ride.

  • Bring the right documents to make pick-up as quick as possible. You'll typically need your physical driver's license (no screenshots) plus another photo ID. Also keep a credit card handy to cover the required excess. If anything else is expected, it'll be listed in your booking.

  • If you're unfamiliar with driving in Italy, remember that traffic here sticks to the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits are often about 45kph through urban areas and around 125kph on highways. Road signs will show if a different limit applies.

  • In Italy, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%. If you intend to have a couple of drinks, hand the keys to someone else or find an alternative way to get around.

  • Try to travel outside high-traffic periods for a smoother trip. 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

  • You'll be using the euro (EUR) for all your purchases on your trip. You may find it handy to carry a mix of cards and cash for more flexibility when paying.

Best hotels in Messina for drivers

  • Pull in and settle straight into your stay at Villa La Fenice. Offering parking as well as shuttle services and a laundry, this hotel is about 10 kilometres from central Messina.

  • Villa Pulejo makes life simpler with parking and features like a spa and luggage storage. It's roughly 6 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse through the hotels in Messina for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find what works for you. You can even apply the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to bring up places with on-site charging.

  • Once you've found a car hire deal in Messina and the right hotel, the only thing left is to decide where to head to first. Get started with big attractions such as Duomo di Messina, Cathedral of Messina (Duomo) and Astronomical Clock of the Cathedral of Messina.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Messina

  • Buckle up and make tracks to Catania. Around 88 kilometres southwest of central Messina, it's home to must-see sights like Roman Amphitheatre of Catania and Piazza del Duomo.

  • Reliable accommodation options with parking in Catania include Romano Palace Luxury Hotel and Catania International Airport Hotel.

  • Add Acireale to your holiday plans too. Pick up your cheap car hire in Messina and drive around 72 kilometres southwest to take in major highlights such as Basilica di San Sebastiano and Villa Belvedere.

  • Acireale has some great places to stay including 4 SPA Hotel and TK Hotel - ex Ares. Both are practical choices for guests with cars.

  • When the drive's been this good, why hit the brakes? Cruise on over to Catanzaro, about 121 kilometres northeast of Messina. From Cattedrale Di Santa Maria Assunta to Teatro Politeama, it's the perfect finale to your trip.

  • Browse the room options at Hotel Guglielmo or Benny Hotel. They make it a breeze to discover everything Catanzaro has to offer. They come with room for your wheels too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Messina will set you back around $303 per day or $2,025 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Messina is a compact SUV. The most popular is Economy, Convertible.
The cheapest car hire companies in Messina are currently Drivalia and Dollar.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Messina is currently July.
On average, around $2,025. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Messina is $318.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Messina for a whole month is $3,002. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Messina, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Messina that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Messina.
Most places – Messina included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $50 per day. The average price per day is around $303.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like hsa rent a car, Drivalia and Dollar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated hsa rent a car as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Messina.