- Drivers must keep a reflective yellow or orange bib inside the car at all times, and wear it if they break down or have an accident and need to exit the car. These come as standard with hire cars, but check your car is equipped before you set off.
- Outside of urban areas, you are legally required to keep your headlights on at all times – even during the day.
- Driving in Palermo is not for the fainthearted. The smartest tourists pick up a car from the airport and only use it when they’re leaving the city.
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Search for the best car hire deals in Sicily
With so much to see in so many places, car rental in Sicily is the savviest way to fit it all in. Whether you opt for a hotel base or fly-drive itinerary, the freedom of four wheels makes it possible to see many more of Sicily’s sights.
Travel information
Language: Italian | Currency: Euro (€) | Local time: CET | Avg. Flight time: 3 hrs
See the island your way
Hiring a car in Sicily’s sleepy southeast enables you to meander around its many pretty towns: you could arrive in Modica in the morning and be in Noto by night.
In the north, having your own wheels makes navigating the Norman cathedrals and beach towns a breeze, while in the southwest you can beat coach-based tourists to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples.
In eastern Sicily you’ll find luxury country hotels near Etna, where having a hire car will help you cruise between the volcano and swanky Taormina. In the hilly heartlands, where trains can’t penetrate, car rental lets you vroom between lovely hillside towns such as Enna and Erice, and access far-flung agriturismo (rural tourism or farmstays).
Go fast – or take it slow
There are four autostrade (motorways) in Sicily. Three of these – Catania-Palermo, Palermo-Mazara del Vallo and Messina-Rosolini – are free, while Messina-Palermo (via Catania) has a toll.
Turn off the motorways and it can be slow going, especially in the more mountainous regions, where the peaks mean a succession of hairpin bends. On the flip side, the views are breathtaking.
Pick up at the airport or in town
If you’re looking for cheap car hire in Sicily, booths for Auto Europa, Hertz, Avis and Budget can be found at Palermo, Catania and Trapani airports, plus there are extra offices in Palermo – at the station or off Via Liberta – and Catania, commonly beside the port.
Hertz and Europcar also have desks at Comiso Airport. Offices close at 9pm after the Ryanair flight arrives, so if it’s delayed you should phone ahead and see if they will wait for you.
Other towns with multiple offices include Syracuse, Ragusa, Taormina, Messina, Cefalù, Sciacca and Agrigento.
Get the best deal
Car hire is cheap in Sicily. You won’t need a 4x4, and unleaded petrol is only a little more expensive than the UK: around €1.45 (£1.25) per litre.
The cheapest Sicily rates tend to start from £4.50 per day for economy vehicles. Make sure you find the best deal and compare the cheapest car hire rates with TravelSupermarket.