Hertz is one of the most recognised and trusted car rental companies in the world, with a strong presence throughout Italy that makes it an excellent choice for visitors wanting to explore the country. With over 150 locations across Italy, Hertz provides convenient access to rental vehicles at every major airport, city centre, and popular tourist destination. The company's long history in Italy, combined with its global reputation for quality service, makes it a reliable option for both first-time visitors and experienced travellers who want the peace of mind that comes with renting from an established international brand.
Hertz operates at all of Italy's major airports, making collection straightforward when you arrive in the country. At Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, Italy's busiest international gateway, Hertz maintains a prominent desk in Terminal 3's arrivals area alongside a large fleet of vehicles. Milan Malpensa Airport, serving Italy's business capital and fashion hub, also hosts a full-service Hertz location with excellent vehicle selection. Venice Marco Polo Airport provides Hertz rental services for visitors heading to the romantic canals and lagoon islands. Florence Airport offers Hertz cars for those exploring Tuscany's rolling hills and Renaissance treasures. Naples Capodichino Airport has Hertz available for travellers visiting the Amalfi Coast and ancient Pompeii. Smaller airports including Pisa, Bologna, Turin, Catania, and Palermo all feature Hertz locations, ensuring you can collect your car wherever you land in Italy.
City centre locations are equally comprehensive, with Hertz offices in Rome near Termini railway station and in various districts throughout the capital. Milan offers multiple Hertz locations including near the central station and in business districts. Florence, Venice, Naples, Turin, Bologna, and virtually every major Italian city have at least one Hertz office, often near the main train station for convenient collection if you're arriving by rail. This extensive network means you can easily pick up and drop off vehicles at different locations, allowing flexibility in your travel plans without being tied to returning to your starting point.
The range of vehicles available from Hertz in Italy covers every need and budget. Economy cars like the Fiat Panda and Lancia Ypsilon are perfect for city driving and offer excellent fuel economy, making them ideal for solo travellers or couples exploring Italy on a budget. Compact cars such as the Fiat 500 provide the quintessential Italian driving experience, small enough to navigate narrow medieval streets whilst being stylish and fun to drive. Standard and intermediate cars offer more space and comfort for families or those planning longer journeys, with models typically including popular European brands like Volkswagen, Ford, and Opel. For those wanting to tour Italy in luxury, Hertz offers premium vehicles including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi models at select locations. Estate cars and people carriers accommodate larger groups or families with significant luggage requirements, whilst SUVs are available for those planning to explore mountainous regions or rural areas with challenging roads.
Booking with Hertz in Italy can be done through multiple channels, with the company's website offering the most direct route and often featuring exclusive online discounts not available elsewhere. The Hertz mobile app provides convenient booking and management of reservations from your smartphone, allowing you to modify bookings, view rental details, and access customer service easily. Booking through comparison websites sometimes yields competitive rates, though it's worth checking Hertz's own site to ensure you're getting the best deal. The Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty programme provides benefits including faster check-in, free additional driver coverage, and the ability to earn points towards free rental days. Membership is free and can be worthwhile even for occasional renters, particularly if you're planning multiple trips to Italy.
Hertz's pricing in Italy operates on dynamic rates that fluctuate based on demand, booking timing, and seasonal factors. Summer months from June through September see the highest prices, particularly in popular destinations like Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, and Sicily. Booking well in advance, ideally three to six months ahead for peak season travel, ensures better rates and vehicle availability. Weekend rates are typically higher than midweek pricing, and one-way rentals between different cities or airports may incur additional fees depending on the route. However, Hertz often runs promotional offers and discounts, particularly for advance bookings, weekly rentals, and loyalty programme members, so checking regularly for deals can result in significant savings.
Insurance and protection options with Hertz in Italy include several levels of coverage to suit different needs and budgets. The basic rental includes third-party liability insurance as required by Italian law, covering damage to other vehicles and property. Collision Damage Waiver reduces your financial liability if the rental car is damaged, though you remain responsible for an excess amount that varies based on vehicle category, typically ranging from 500 euros for economy cars to over 2,000 euros for luxury vehicles. Super Cover or Hertz Super Cover eliminates the excess entirely, providing maximum protection though at higher daily cost. Personal Accident Insurance and Personal Effects Coverage are available as additional options for those wanting comprehensive protection. Hertz's clear explanation of coverage options at booking and collection helps customers make informed decisions about the level of protection they need.
The collection process at Hertz locations in Italy is generally efficient and professional. You'll need to present your driving licence, which must have been held for at least one year though Hertz typically requires two years for certain vehicle categories. Drivers from outside the European Union must show an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence. A credit card in the main driver's name is essential for the security deposit, which Hertz blocks on your card for the duration of the rental. Debit cards are not accepted for deposits. Your passport or EU identity card provides proof of identity, and you'll need your booking confirmation reference. Age restrictions apply, with most rentals requiring drivers to be at least 21 years old, whilst drivers under 25 face young driver surcharges and may have restrictions on certain vehicle categories. Senior drivers are generally not restricted, with Hertz being more accommodating than some competitors regarding age limits.
Hertz's customer service in Italy includes a 24-hour emergency roadside assistance number, providing help if you experience breakdowns, accidents, or other issues during your rental. The service operates in English and multiple other languages, ensuring you can get help even if you don't speak Italian. This round-the-clock support is particularly valuable when driving in unfamiliar areas or during emergencies outside normal business hours. Hertz staff at Italian locations generally speak English, with larger airports and city locations offering service in multiple languages to accommodate international customers.
The NeverLost GPS navigation system is available from Hertz in Italy for a daily fee, providing turn-by-turn directions in English or your preferred language. The system includes points of interest and helps navigate Italy's complex road networks, though many travellers now use smartphone apps with offline maps as a cost-effective alternative. Child safety seats are mandatory in Italy for children under certain heights and ages, with Hertz offering infant seats, child seats, and booster seats for daily fees. Booking these items in advance ensures availability, though bringing your own child seat from home saves money and ensures your child uses familiar equipment.
Hertz's fuel policy in Italy typically follows the full-to-full system, where you collect the car with a full tank and return it full. This represents the fairest and most economical option, as you only pay for the fuel you actually use at regular service station prices. Hertz also offers prepaid fuel options at some locations, but these rarely provide good value as you're purchasing a full tank upfront at premium rates and returning the car empty. Fuel stations are widely available throughout Italy, though many close during lunch hours from approximately 1pm to 3:30pm and operate self-service only on Sundays. Hertz provides information about fuel types when you collect your vehicle, which is essential as most rental cars in Italy run on diesel rather than petrol.
One-way rentals are a particular strength of Hertz's Italian network, with the company's extensive locations making it practical to collect your car in one city and drop it off in another. You might pick up in Rome and drop off in Milan, collect at Florence and return to Venice, or fly into Sicily and drive north to drop the car in Rome. One-way fees vary based on the route and distance, with some popular routes between major cities incurring modest charges whilst others cost substantially more. However, Hertz's large network often makes one-way rentals more affordable and practical than with smaller competitors who may not have convenient drop-off locations or charge prohibitive fees.
Hertz provides clear guidance about Italy's driving regulations and restrictions, which is particularly valuable for international visitors unfamiliar with Italian traffic rules. The company warns customers about ZTL zones, the restricted traffic areas in historic city centres that are monitored by cameras and result in automatic fines if entered without authorisation. Staff at collection can provide advice about avoiding these zones and explain how to arrange temporary access if your hotel is located within a restricted area. Information about toll roads on Italy's autostrada motorway network is also provided, with options to add electronic toll payment devices to your rental for convenient automatic payment, though these come with daily fees plus the actual toll costs.
The condition and cleanliness of Hertz vehicles in Italy is generally excellent, with the company maintaining high standards across its fleet. Regular servicing and safety checks ensure reliability, whilst cleaning between rentals keeps cars fresh and presentable. However, it's always important to conduct a thorough walk-around inspection before accepting any rental car, noting any existing damage on the rental agreement and taking photographs and videos as evidence. This protects you against being charged for pre-existing damage when you return the vehicle. Hertz staff should conduct this inspection with you, but if they're busy or rushed, insist on completing a proper check before driving away.
Return procedures with Hertz in Italy are straightforward, with most locations offering both staffed and unstaffed return options. Staffed returns during office hours allow immediate inspection and resolution of any issues, with staff checking the vehicle's condition and fuel level before closing out your rental. Unstaffed returns outside office hours involve parking in the designated Hertz area, locking the car, and depositing keys in a secure drop box. The vehicle inspection happens the next business day, with any additional charges processed to your credit card. Photographing the returned car's condition and fuel level provides evidence if disputes arise later. Returning the car with a full tank as required by the full-to-full fuel policy is essential, as Hertz charges significantly above market rates for refuelling plus administration fees if you return the car without filling it.
Additional drivers can be added to Hertz rentals in Italy for a daily fee, typically around 10 euros per day depending on location. However, Gold Plus Rewards members often receive free additional driver privileges as a membership benefit, making the loyalty programme valuable for couples or families who want to share driving. All additional drivers must meet the same age and licence requirements as the main driver and must be present with their documents at collection to be registered on the rental agreement. Allowing unregistered drivers to operate the vehicle voids your insurance coverage entirely, so proper registration is essential.
Winter equipment is available from Hertz for those travelling to mountainous areas between November and April, when Italian regulations require winter tyres or snow chains in designated zones. Hertz typically provides snow chains for a daily rental fee, with the option to purchase them outright if you lose or damage them. Winter tyres are fitted on vehicles at locations serving ski areas and mountain regions during winter months, sometimes included in the rental rate and sometimes as an additional charge. This equipment is essential for safe driving in alpine areas and legal compliance, so requesting it when booking if you're planning winter mountain travel is important.
Hertz's reputation in Italy benefits from the company's global standing and decades of presence in the Italian market. The brand recognition provides reassurance to customers who value dealing with a known entity rather than unfamiliar local companies. However, this international presence and quality service typically comes at a premium, with Hertz often pricing higher than smaller local Italian rental companies. Whether the additional cost is worthwhile depends on your priorities regarding brand recognition, customer service standards, vehicle quality, and network convenience. Reading recent customer reviews specific to the Italian locations you're considering helps gauge current service quality and identify any location-specific issues.
Understanding Hertz's cancellation policy is important when booking, as flexibility varies depending on the rate you choose. Standard rates typically allow free cancellation up to 48 hours before your scheduled pickup time, providing flexibility if your travel plans change. Some promotional or advance purchase rates may be non-refundable or have stricter cancellation terms, so reading the terms carefully when booking is essential. Changes to existing reservations can usually be made online or through customer service, though depending on rate type and timing, you may need to cancel and rebook if prices have changed significantly since your original booking.
Hertz's presence in Italy represents a solid choice for car rental, combining the reliability and recognition of a global brand with extensive local knowledge and comprehensive coverage across the country. Whether you're planning a quick business trip to Milan, a romantic Tuscan escape, an Amalfi Coast adventure, or a grand tour from the Alps to Sicily, Hertz provides the vehicles, locations, and support services to make your Italian journey memorable and trouble-free. The company's higher prices compared to budget competitors reflect the quality of service, vehicle standards, and convenience of its extensive network, making it particularly suitable for travellers who value reliability and peace of mind over finding the absolute cheapest option.