Car rental help in Sicily
Jan 31st, 2011, 11:04 AM
#1
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Car rental help in Sicily
Will be touring around Sicily for 2 weeks in the fall and would like to rent a car so we can have the freedom of touring on our own. Looking for suggestions on where to get the best car rental deals.
Jan 31st, 2011, 11:09 AM
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Deal or not, I always opt for these vendors for overall customer satisfaction. And, they will match any other deal.
Also, click on my name for my trip report of 2 weeks in Sicily in 2005.
DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE
Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a GOOD NAVIGATOR.
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors
Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is www.autoeurope.com [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, mandatory insurance coverage with some deductibles, and VAT taxes. It is wise to compare prices and coverage with their sister company at www.kemwel.com. Autoeurope will match any comparable quote, and are famous for their customer satisfaction if problems do arise with the vendor. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.
Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—YOU SHOULD TOO !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.
OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.
NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $15. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.
Also, click on my name for my trip report of 2 weeks in Sicily in 2005.
DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE
Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a GOOD NAVIGATOR.
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors
Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is www.autoeurope.com [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, mandatory insurance coverage with some deductibles, and VAT taxes. It is wise to compare prices and coverage with their sister company at www.kemwel.com. Autoeurope will match any comparable quote, and are famous for their customer satisfaction if problems do arise with the vendor. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.
Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—YOU SHOULD TOO !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.
OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.
NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $15. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.
Jan 31st, 2011, 11:53 AM
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We used http://www.economycarrentals.com/ and would recommend them. I do not know if they do one way rentals, but given the size of Sicily, a round trip is not onerous. You might want to read my trip report; just click on my name to find it.
Feb 10th, 2011, 10:07 AM
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Hi Again,
Another question, heard that some car rental companies have an age restriction about the driver. Is it true that there might be a problem renting a car if you are 70 or older?
Another question, heard that some car rental companies have an age restriction about the driver. Is it true that there might be a problem renting a car if you are 70 or older?
Mar 29th, 2017, 06:34 AM
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We want to rent a car at Palermo airport. We have insurance on our credit card and through our car insurance in Canada. Should we still pay the $22 a day for 'protection'? Sounds like they take a large deposit on a credit card if not? thanks
Mar 29th, 2017, 11:14 AM
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This is an old thread from 2011...
You need to take out full protection in Sicily, with zero deductible. Otherwise, if you return the car with a scratch or dent they can and will keep the whole deductible. I would not want to take a chance with credit card insurance or my own car insurance in Italy and especially not in Sicily.
Only rent from reputable companies. AutoEurope and Kemwel are brokers and are highly recommended, but even with them you need to make sure the actual car company you are dealing with is one of the good ones--Hertz, Europcar, Avis.
We are going in May and picking up a car at the Palermo airport. We've changed our booking a few times to save money, first going with Hertz through Auto Europe and now going with Europcar through Kemwel.
You need to take out full protection in Sicily, with zero deductible. Otherwise, if you return the car with a scratch or dent they can and will keep the whole deductible. I would not want to take a chance with credit card insurance or my own car insurance in Italy and especially not in Sicily.
Only rent from reputable companies. AutoEurope and Kemwel are brokers and are highly recommended, but even with them you need to make sure the actual car company you are dealing with is one of the good ones--Hertz, Europcar, Avis.
We are going in May and picking up a car at the Palermo airport. We've changed our booking a few times to save money, first going with Hertz through Auto Europe and now going with Europcar through Kemwel.
Mar 29th, 2017, 04:55 PM
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@ PLV & hoodpt: If there is <b>any</b> chance that you will have jet lag, I would strongly encourage you to take public transportation for your first night or two. Although many people are not aware of it, there is mounting evidence that driving with jet lag is just as dangerous -- to yourself and others -- as driving drunk, and <b>nothing</b> you can do will prevent the microsleeps (which you might not even notice) that are the apparent culprit. Seriously -- NOT a good idea, no matter your other constraints and no matter your prior experience! And if you plan to spend ANY time in Palermo (which I strongly encourage!), then waiting until you leave Palermo to pick up a rental car would make most sense, as it will almost certainly not be to your advantage to have one while there.
Mar 30th, 2017, 07:58 AM
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kja, I agree! When we pick up the car we'll be fully rested after 3 nights in Palermo. Also, our itinerary has been planned so that we never have to leave our luggage in the car unattended. It took some planning and tweaking, but the peace of mind we'll have is worth the extra effort.
Mar 30th, 2017, 08:46 AM
#11
hoodpt - we had the same worries about leaving luggage in the car and within a couple of hours of leaving Ortigia [our first base, where we did not have to leave anything in the car as we were staying there] we realised that we didn't need to worry. Certainly no-one in any of the towns that we stopped in en route between hotels was in any way interested in what we had in the boot of our hire car.
I would not have taken the risk in Catania, Syracuse or Palermo though and we were careful not to leave anything on show in the car itself.
I would not have taken the risk in Catania, Syracuse or Palermo though and we were careful not to leave anything on show in the car itself.
