Car hire reviews
Car hire in Rome is one of those decisions that depends entirely on what you plan to do after the Colosseum. Inside central Rome, a car is more liability than asset: traffic is chaotic, ZTL restricted zones are strictly enforced, and parking is expensive and scarce. But the moment your itinerary includes the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, or day trips to Orvieto and the Alban Hills, a rental becomes genuinely useful. Rome Fiumicino (FCO) pickup is usually the best option because supplier choice is broad, airport logistics are straightforward, and you can head straight onto the A1 or A12 without navigating central congestion first. Ciampino (CIA) is smaller and can work for budget-focused travellers, but fleet choice is thinner. Expect assertive local driving, manual transmission dominance, and compact cars as the practical sweet spot. The reviews below help you separate efficient Rome desks from suppliers that turn airport pickup into an upselling marathon. For more on Italian rentals, see our Italy car hire guide, and compare Hertz and Sixt for strong airport coverage.
Counter intelligence
18 min
Best: Avis (10 min)
44% low
0%
0 of 16 reviews
60%
Got car they booked
Based on 16 reviews across 77 locations and 37 suppliers. Average rating: 3.6/5 · Typical wait: ~18 minutes
Quick insights
Quick research insights on suppliers and pickup locations in Rome.
Locations in Rome
Ciampino Airport
Airport
Fiumicino Airport
Airport
Rome Fiumicino Airport Railway Station
Airport
Rome Downtown
City / downtown
Gianicolense
Other location
Lido Di Ostia
Other location
3.6
Good
16 reviews
Ben P.
19 Feb 2026
ZTL zones are the real enemy, not the rental company. Avis staff warned us clearly about restricted areas. Car was fine, return was smooth.
Sandra Nilsson
9 Dec 2025
The arrivals hall was mayhem, but Budget's counter was calm and organised. Clear damage documentation and no upsell pressure. Car had 40,000km but ran perfectly.
Thomas L.
5 Dec 2025
We chose Hertz at Rome Fiumicino for our family holiday because we've used them before and trusted the brand. However, the experience was pretty mixed. The biggest issue was the wait time. After a long flight with two tired kids, standing in line for nearly 45 minutes to reach the counter was exhausting. It seemed like they were understaffed for the volume of arrivals. On the positive side, the staff member was polite enough and didn't aggressively push the extra insurance, which I appreciated. We were given a decent Volkswagen Tiguan that fit our luggage comfortably, and the car itself was clean and ran without issues for the entire week. If you can get past the slow queue at the start, the actual vehicle is fine, but be prepared for a tedious pickup process.
Thomas L.
17 Nov 2025
We rented from Europcar at Rome Fiumicino for a couple's trip to explore Lazio. The actual rental process was fine once we got to the counter, but the queue was honestly a nightmare. It took nearly three-quarters of an hour to be seen, which isn't exactly what you want after a long flight when you're desperate to get to your hotel. The staff member was professional enough and didn't aggressively push the extra insurance, which was a relief. We ended up with a Fiat 500L, which was perfect for the narrow Italian roads. The car was clean and ran smoothly. Just be prepared to factor in some waiting time before you hit the road.
Tim B.
11 Nov 2025
Our midday arrival met a 35-minute line and a Ford Focus with a few honest Roman scrapes, plus an awkward explanation that crossing into Switzerland would trigger an extra €65 fee.
Alex J.
8 Nov 2025
The counter was slick and the Audi A3 upgrade was real rather than theoretical, but expect a chunky card pre-authorisation and a persistent pitch for tyre-and-glass cover at €17/day.
Alex Petersen
29 Oct 2025
Staff clearly marked existing bumper rash, explained the full-to-full fuel rule properly, and released a tidy Jeep Renegade in under 20 minutes — exactly the sort of competent airport rental most travellers want.
Thomas L.
26 Oct 2025
I rented from Goldcar at Rome Fiumicino for a quick two-day business trip. I was initially worried about the queue, as I arrived around 9 AM on a Tuesday, but the line moved faster than expected. It took about 20 minutes to reach the counter. The staff member was efficient and, unlike some other budget agencies, didn't aggressively push the extra insurance once I showed I had my own coverage. I was given a Fiat 500—perfect for navigating the tight Roman streets—and the car was clean and relatively new. Drop-off was seamless, and I had my deposit refunded within three days. If you need a reliable car for work without the premium price tag, this is a solid option.
Thomas L.
17 Oct 2025
I was a bit wary given Goldcar's reputation, but my experience at Rome Fiumicino was surprisingly smooth. I arrived at the desk around 9 AM and the queue was short, which was a relief since I had a meeting scheduled for the afternoon. The agent did ask about extra insurance coverage, but a polite 'no' was enough to move on—they weren't aggressive about the upsell at all. I received a Fiat 500 that was clean and ran well for my city driving. The only minor hiccup was the deposit hold taking a few days to clear, but that's standard practice. For the price, it was a solid choice.
Marco Bianchi
16 Sept 2025
Long queue, thorough damage check, and a deposit that maxed our credit card. But the Fiat 500 was perfect for Rome parking and we got it back without dispute.
Alex
8 Nov 2025
The counter was slick and the Audi A3 upgrade was real rather than theoretical, but expect a chunky card pre-authorisation and a persistent pitch for tyre-and-glass cover at €17/day.
TravelBudgetPro
11 Nov 2025
Our midday arrival met a 35-minute line and a Ford Focus with a few honest Roman scrapes, plus an awkward explanation that crossing into Switzerland would trigger an extra €65 fee.
Alex Petersen
29 Oct 2025
Staff clearly marked existing bumper rash, explained the full-to-full fuel rule properly, and released a tidy Jeep Renegade in under 20 minutes — exactly the sort of competent airport rental most travellers want.
Sandra Nilsson
9 Dec 2025
The arrivals hall was mayhem, but Budget's counter was calm and organised. Clear damage documentation and no upsell pressure. Car had 40,000km but ran perfectly.
Marco Bianchi
16 Sept 2025
Long queue, thorough damage check, and a deposit that maxed our credit card. But the Fiat 500 was perfect for Rome parking and we got it back without dispute.
BackpackerBen
19 Feb 2026
ZTL zones are the real enemy, not the rental company. Avis staff warned us clearly about restricted areas. Car was fine, return was smooth.