Car hire Milan

Whereas Rome is the ancient gem of Italy, Milan is the new treasure. As both the financial capital of the country and one of the most exciting places to eat, drink and shop in Europe, Milan has plenty going for it. The vibe here is energetic, even by Italian standards, but with so much to see and do visitors will need all the energy they can muster.

Car hire

Milan stands at the crossroads of several major Italian motorways, so a rental car is a good choice if you plan to do any rural sightseeing. Every car hire firm in Europe has offices throughout the city, which are typically complemented by numerous local rental outfits. Driving in the city centre can be difficult and expensive due to congestion charges though, so check if the rental firm can deliver your car. Online bookings can often offer significant savings if one takes time to compare car hire options.

Discovering Milan

While Milan may not have the depth of historic cultural gems like Florence or Rome, it still has more than enough amazing architecture and heritage to inspire. Where Milan excels is its performing arts scene, fashion boutiques, museums and culinary magic. The Duomo Cathedral in Duomo Square is a great place to start exploring the squares of Milan; for shopping check out the palacial Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

Daytripping by car

The Bergamo Alps is the main destination for day trips out of Milan. Dozens of world-class attractions await drivers here including Lake Como, Lake Garda and the towns of Monza and Bergamo. This part of Italy offers an incredible mix of alpine nature recreation and charming towns for those with a car rental.

When to go

Winter in northern Italy is only really good for skiing in the Alps. The temperatures are bone chilling in Milan and the skies are often grey. Summers are simply stunning, highlighted by pleasant weather and brilliant skies. Tourist numbers are fairly high during August in the Alps, but down in Milan it’s surprisingly quiet. Spring and autumn also offer excellent windows of inspiring weather.
Check Milan Weather Forecast

Driving rentals in Italy

In Italian cities the speed limit is 50kph but on major highways it is 130kph. Rural roads through the Alps tend to have 90kph speed limits. Driving takes place on the right in Italy and can feel rather haphazard at times, so be sure to drive defensively. Keep your International Driver’s Licence with you whenever behind the wheel.