Car hire in Palermo, Italy

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Choose from 80 pick-up spots

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There are 80 car hire providers in Palermo. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Driving in Palermo: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
You’ll need your licence, passport and credit card.
To rent a car in Palermo, bring your driving licence, passport and credit card. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended in Palermo if your licence is not in English or issued outside the EU.
Navigating city driving
City streets are narrow and lively.
Driving in Palermo involves sharp turns, one-way streets and unpredictable traffic flow. Use a sat nav to avoid ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones) and stay calm in the older parts of the city.
Tolls, emissions zones and charges
ZTL zones apply — no tolls in town.
Palermo has ZTL areas in the historic centre that restrict unauthorised vehicles. Toll roads are used on motorways outside the city and are paid at booths by cash or card.
Parking your car in Palermo
Parking requires payment and space is limited.
Street parking in Palermo is mostly blue-zoned and paid. It’s often full near the centre, so use a public car park or choose a hotel with parking to avoid the stress.
Finding fuel or charging points
Fuel is easy — EV charging is limited.
Petrol stations are available in and around the city. EV charging stations in Palermo are growing but still limited — use Enel X or PlugShare to find one near your accommodation.
Local driving style and tips
Driving is lively, especially in the centre.
Local driving rules in Palermo are followed, though city traffic can be busy and energetic. Stay alert for scooters and sudden lane changes, and take your time navigating the older, narrower streets.
Find Palermo car hire deals

The most popular car rental companies in Palermo

Hiring a car in Palermo: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyECH
Most popular carCompact, Commercial Van
Average daily price$144
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Palermo

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 Palermo car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Palermo

  • Whether you need a small car for zipping through the city streets or a bigger ride for bigger plans, we'll help you find a cheap rental car in Palermo. Pick from options averaging $144 a day and go your own way for less.

  • The cheapest daily price for a home in Palermo is $47.

  • For longer trips, book a weekly home from $151 and make room for more adventures.

  • If you want to time it right, book around four weeks ahead to score yourself the best price on a Palermo car hire.

  • Browse the offers available with ECH, U-Save and RentSmart24. They rank among the city's most trusted providers.

  • Whether you book with ECH or a different supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your Palermo car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as an optional extra.

  • Consider booking a one-way home. You might be able to land a good deal if the provider needs to relocate some of its vehicles. Discover the best available rates by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. No surprise refueling fees tacked on at the end either.

  • Hit the highway without counting the miles and racking up additional fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you explore further.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll find the best value with this company. Prices average $141 a day.

  • Next up is this provider, which offers daily rates of around $140.

  • The third option also keeps costs reasonable. Expect to pay roughly $146 a day for one of their homes.

  • If you can't decide what kind of ride you need, consider something from the Compact home category. It's the most frequently booked type of car in Palermo.

Flying to Palermo? Think about an airport pick-up

  • Kick off your Palermo trip quicker by picking up a car hire at Palermo Airport. The city centre is about 32 kilometres from this airport, which is a drive of around 40 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Palermo

  • Small: Whether you're zipping around busy cities or simply planning a quick trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can look forward to good fuel efficiency and easy handling.

  • Medium: A smart pick when you need something that's easy to manoeuvre but with a few more features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra space compared to smaller options.

  • Large: You've got the bags, the kids, the snacks, the everything. Large vehicles have got the capacity to handle it all without breaking a sweat. Ideal for long-distance trips, this Palermo car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel fix for wanderlust. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and country backroads alike.

  • Van: Select this vehicle category when you want a car for rent in Palermo that can handle the big jobs. Featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's supplies, baggage or the whole travel crew.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Palermo car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of an accident or theft. Insurance policies can differ between home providers, so check how each one stacks up.

  • Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Palermo by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a navigation system to keep your trip on track, or reverse cameras that upgrade your parking game.

Good to know

  • The minimum age to rent a car in Italy is typically 21 years old. However providers may have their own rules, so always read your home company's policy to know where you stand.

  • Add a car seat to your Palermo car hire booking if you're planning to travel with the kids. Requirements change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their size, weight and age is always the safest option.

  • You'll need to show some documents when you get to the home desk. As a rule, bring a valid driver's license, a credit card with enough funds for the excess (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and additional photo ID. Your booking will outline the exact requirements.

  • If it's your first time driving in Italy, be aware that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.

  • Follow the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 45kph in urban areas and 125kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Italy is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, it's best to skip drinks entirely so you remain legal to drive.

  • One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 8am. Make driving smoother by avoiding rush hours in general.

  • You'll be using the euro (EUR) for all your purchases and expenses throughout your trip. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cards and cash to make sure you're always covered.

Best hotels in Palermo for drivers

  • Spend less time looking for a place to park and more time enjoying the comfort of Villa Libertà. Around 3 kilometres from central Palermo, it comes with parking, air conditioning and car hire options.

  • Alternatively, take advantage of the valet parking at Hotel Trinacria. The city centre is roughly 0.80 kilometres from this option, which also features luggage storage and Wi-Fi.

  • Browse the lineup of hotels in Palermo for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to tailor your results to your trip. You can also use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to include places with charging facilities.

  • After you've found a car hire deal in Palermo and your hotel, it's time to plan your adventures. Golfo di Mondello, Piazza Pretoria and Duomo di Palermo give you a real taste of the city.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Palermo

  • Shift gears and head toward Marsala. Around 80 kilometres southwest of central Palermo, it's home to must-sees like Laguna dello Stagnone di Marsala and Castello Medioevale.

  • You'll be well taken care of at Seawater Hotel Bio & Beauty Spa and Best Western Hotel Stella d'Italia, two accommodation options with parking in Marsala.

  • Add Trapani to your list of stops. Grab your cheap car hire in Palermo and drive roughly 72 kilometres west to take in leading attractions like Museo d’Arte Contemporanea San Rocco and Saline di Trapani e Paceco.

  • Palazzo Gatto Art Hotel & SPA - BW Premier Collection and Hotel Elimo are comfy places to stay in Trapani if you're hanging around for a while. Go for one of these and take the hassle out of finding a spot for your ride.

  • Got a little fuel left in the tank? Take off to Reggio Calabria, about 193 kilometres east of Palermo. From Piazza Duomo to Lungomare Falcomata, it'll round out your trip nicely.

  • Next up: catching some z's. Grand Hotel Excelsior and Hotel Apan have room for both you and your wheels while visiting Reggio Calabria.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Palermo will set you back around $144 per day or $539 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Palermo is an intermediate crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Compact, Commercial Van.
The cheapest car hire companies in Palermo are currently Dryyve and Automania.
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 Palermo is currently April.
On average, around $539. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Palermo is $151.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Palermo for a whole month is $3,688. 

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 Palermo, 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 Palermo 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 Palermo.
Most places – Palermo 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 $47 per day. The average price per day is around $116.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like ECH, ecovia and Rental4Leisure offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated ECH as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Palermo.