Compare Bergamo Airport car hire

Sitting in the foothills of the Italian Alps and just a short distance from Milan, Bergamo ticks holiday boxes for skiers, historians, shoppers, cultural tourists and foodies alike. Nabbing a cheap deal on car hire in advance will give you access to all this stunning region of Italy has to offer in 2024.

Language: Italian | Currency: Euros (€) | Avg. Flight time: 2 hrs

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY) – also known as Milan Bergamo and Il Caravaggio – is just a 15-minute drive south of the city centre. Car hire brands at the airport include Hertz, Firefly, Europcar and Sixt – and with local providers here too, it's easy to shop around for cheap deals.

When you arrive at Bergamo airport, you’ll find the car hire desks located in the arrivals section of the terminal building.

Car hire companies that have desks at Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY) include:

• Avis (Tel: +39 35 316 041)
• Budget (Tel: +39 35 330699)
• Europcar (Tel: +39 35 318 622)
• Firefly (Tel: +39 2 91294877)
• Interrent (Tel: +39 871 3849945)
• Sixt (Tel: +39 35 318862)
• Hertz (Tel: +39 35 311 258)
• WinRent (Tel: +39 35 318862)

While picking up a car from Bergamo’s airport is a great option if you’re flying in, you may want a few days to explore the city by foot. If so, you can arrange cheap car hire in advance and collect your vehicle at one of the rental companies found in Bergamo itself. You’ll find a few local brands near Bergamo station, as well as a Europcar branch on Via S. Bernardino.

Bergamo's warren-like, cobbled old town is bounded by major roads to the north, east and south, and by mountains to the west – so even if you do stray in and get lost, heading away from the hills will get you out again. The main roads out of town are the SP342 west, SP42 east, and SS470 north (that's the road to follow if you want to head into the mountains). Outside the centre, major roads are fast and well maintained, making it easy to get out on excursions and access the airport. That said, a muddle of motorways converge between the airport and the city, so your initial drive in will be easier if you bring a satnav.

Like many cities in Italy, the historic core of central Bergamo is a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) so you’ll need to avoid entering it or risk facing some hefty fines. If your hotel is in the ZTL, it should be able to advise you on how to get hold of a permit. Make sure you look out for signs or have a satnav that warns you about the zones before you enter them.

There is limited on-street parking in the old town – in the sense of 'not much of it' as well as 'limited to permit holders' – but you’ll find larger car parks near the station or around Via Giuseppe Verdi.

Milan

Driving time: One hour

Italy’s fashion capital is a fairly quick drive, but its busy streets feel a world away from Bergamo's medieval lanes. This cosmopolitan city offers much for food, fashion, culture and even football enthusiasts (AC or Inter?). Culture essentials include the remarkable Gothic cathedral, the La Scala opera house and the Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazia – better known as the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.

Lake Iseo

Driving time: 30 minutes

Lake Iseo may not be as famous as its larger neighbours, Lake Garda and Lake Como, but it’s equally beautiful, and you can reach its western shores very quickly from Bergamo. Head for Paratico and Sarnico, which sit either side of the Oglio River, and offer boat trips out onto the lake. If you push on to Sulzano on the southeastern shore, you can hop on a quick ferry to Monte Isola, the scenic car-free island in the centre of the lake.

Brembana Valley

Driving time: 30 minutes

For activities, head north to the Brembana Valley. In winter, its main attractions are its snow-covered ski resorts, including Carona, Foppolo and San Simone. But the valley is just as appealing in summer – make a stop at the opulent spa town of San Pellegrino, famous for its art nouveau buildings, and Cornello dei Tasso, a tiny village connected to civilization by a Roman pathway.

1. The Limited Traffic Zones (ZTLs) in Bergamo are monitored by cameras, and fines are hefty. The zones are well signposted, so keep an eye out if you head towards the centre of town.
   
2. If you’re heading out of Bergamo towards the lakes or mountains, many of the motorways are tolled. The automated Telepass system is not worth the trouble for tourists, so just keep cash and cards handy.
   
3. Be aware that speed limits can change in Italy depending on the weather. On motorways the normal speed in dry weather is 130kph (80mph), dropping to 110kph (70mph) in wet conditions.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.