Is it worth renting a car to visit Sicilian cities?

Not for the old towns themselves: they're small, pedestrian-friendly and have a restricted traffic zone, with limited parking. A car is worth it for reaching Etna, Syracuse, Taormina, Palermo or other destinations independently.

Where's the best place to pick up a rental car in Sicily?

Picking up at the airport (Catania or Palermo) is the most practical option: all the main companies have a desk there, avoiding driving through city-centre traffic right after landing.

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Q: What are the restricted traffic zones (ZTL) in Catania and Palermo and how do they work?

Both cities have an active ZTL in their old towns: in Catania around Piazza Duomo and Via Etnea, in Palermo around the Cathedral district, active during daytime and evening hours. Unauthorised access results in a fine of €80 to €160.

In the old towns of Catania and Palermo a car is more hassle than help, between restricted zones and scarce parking. Outside the cities, though, it's the best way to road-trip east to west on your own terms.

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Where to Compare

Two search engines compare dozens of companies at once: it's always worth checking both before booking.

Independent Aggregator

RentalCars.com

Compares all companies available in both Catania and Palermo in a single search, with filters by price, gearbox and car category.

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Same Booking Account

Booking.com Cars

Useful if you're already booking your hotel on Booking: you can compare rentals in the same session, with the same cancellation policies.

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Catania (CTA) & Palermo (PMO) Airports

Companies at the Airport

All the main companies have a desk right at both airports: the most convenient pickup, without driving through city traffic straight after landing.

Hertz Avis Europcar Sixt Budget Maggiore Goldcar Locauto

Heads Up

Restricted Zones in Sicilian Old Towns

Both Catania and Palermo have an active restricted traffic zone (ZTL) in their old towns (in Catania around Piazza Duomo and Via Etnea, in Palermo around the Cathedral district and Via Maqueda), active during daytime and evening hours. The fine for unauthorised access is €80–160. If you're staying in the centre, check with your hotel how to reach it without entering the ZTL, or leave the car in one of the car parks below.

Car Park	City	Type	Indicative price
Piazza Borsellino	Catania	Open-air · paid	~€1.50/h
Via Etnea	Catania	Covered garage	~€2.00/h · ~€15/day
Central Station	Catania	Garage · 24h	~€12–18/day
Politeama	Palermo	Covered garage	~€2.00/h · ~€18/day
Central Station	Palermo	Garage · 24h	~€15–20/day

Before You Sign the Contract

Practical Tips

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Document the car's condition

Photograph or film the whole car (roof, wheels, bumpers) with staff present before driving off, and email the photos to the company as evidence.

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Plan where to park

If you're staying in the old town, choose a car park outside the restricted zone in advance: many hotels have deals with nearby garages.

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Ideal for an east-west road trip

A car really pays off for linking eastern and western Sicily: Etna, Syracuse, Taormina, Agrigento and Palermo, where public transport is limited or non-existent.

Car Booked?
Here's Where to Go

Etna, Syracuse, Taormina, Palermo: discover the excursions best suited to travelling by car across Sicily.

✦ Discover the Excursions

Car Rentalin Sicily