Car Rental in Bologna
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Bologna Airport
Mini Elite
Fiat Panda
or similar
$1.40
per day
Bologna Airport
Mini
Fiat Panda
or similar
$2.20
per day
Bologna Airport
Economy
Fiat Panda
or similar
$2.71
per day
Bologna Airport
Compact
Opel Corsa
or similar
$3.60
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Bologna Airport
Economy Elite
Audi A1
or similar
$6.58
per day
Bologna Airport
Intermediate SUV
Jeep Renegade
or similar
$7.13
per day
Bologna Airport
Intermediate Elite Crossover
Opel Grandland
or similar
$20.64
per day
Bologna Airport
Standard
Jeep Compass
or similar
$21.89
per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 12:36 AM on 11/20/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information
Languages
Italian
Currency
EUR
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+39
Average car rental price
$8 per day
Average car rental length
6 days
Speed limit within town
50 - 70 km/h or 31 - 43 mph
Speed limit out of town
90 - 130 km/h or 56 - 81 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Average gas price
$1.86 per liter or $7.06 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.77 per liter or $6.70 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.98 per liter or $7.49 per gallon
Why rent a car in Bologna?
Bologna is a great place to explore by car. The city is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and is located in the heart of northern Italy. It is a fascinating destination in its own right, and it’s in close proximity to many other interesting destinations.
One-Way Car Rentals in Bologna
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Bologna and drop off in another city include:
- From Bologna to Pisa - 296 offers from $18.80 per day
- From Bologna to Rome - 358 offers from $18.80 per day
- From Bologna to Milan - 270 offers from $20.48 per day
- From Bologna to Bergamo - 156 offers from $20.48 per day
- From Bologna to Naples - 152 offers from $21.02 per day
Top ways to enter Bologna
- Bologna Airport. Seventh busiest in Italy, Bologna’s Airport is popular with both high-end airlines and low-cost carriers.
- Florence Airport. About an hour-and-a-half drive from Bologna, Florence Airport is served by low-cost airline Vueling, as well as many other airlines that connect it to destinations around Italy and Europe.
- Venice Airport. Less than a two-hour drive north, Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is another convenient place to fly to if your final destination is Bologna.
- Milan Malpensa Airport. The largest of the three airports serving the Milan metropolitan area, Malpensa also ranks among the busiest in all of Europe and connects Italy with destinations all over the planet. The drive to Bologna takes about three hours.
- By Train: If you’re arriving in Bologna by train, you can pick up a rental car at the Bologna Centrale train station.
City facts
- A city of culture and education, Bologna is home to University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world.
- Bologna has about 390,000 inhabitants, but a tad more than 1 million people live in its wider metropolitan area.
- The city is a foodie destination for Italians and visitors from abroad.
Top sights and activities
- National Picture Gallery. Exhibiting the best of Venetian and Emilia-Romagna art, this gallery has world-famous works by Giotto, Raffaello, Parmigianino, and many others.
- The Bolognese Cuisine. Calling yourself the food capital is a mighty claim in Italy, but Bologna can back it up. Many Bolognese residents claim that leaving without trying their cured meats and cheeses, lasagna, and stuffed tortellini pasta amounts to a crime.
- Towers of Bologna. Many of the city’s original towers are no longer standing, but more than 20 remain, including the central Due Torri or Two Towers that are over 900 years old. You can climb the tallest of the two, the Asinelli Tower.
- San Petronio. The first stone of this basilica was laid in the 14th century, but it has remained unfinished to this day – that hasn’t stopped it from becoming one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Italy though. The church has a truly impressive collection of religious art, and a unique indoor sundial.
- Po Delta parks. Northern Italy is better known for the sophistication of its cities than its nature, but that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to enjoy in the latter department. A fine case in point are the parks of the Po River Delta, two protected areas that encompass a vast wetland, as well as forests and coastal lagoons. The one closer to Bologna is the Emilia–Romagna Regional Park which borders the Veneto Regional Park to its north, and it is possible to visit both on the same trip – the drive from Bologna takes only about 90 minutes.
Traffic and parking
- The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h.
- Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h. During the rain the limits are respectively lowered to 110 km/h, 100 km/h, and 80 km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50 km/h during heavy fog or other cases of bad visibility.
- The speed limit on the Autostrada (toll road) is 130 km/h, reduced to 110 km/h if it’s raining. The speed limit on highways ranges from 90-110 km/h.
- The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
- If you’re the driver, you need to have your driver’s license and International Driving Permit (if required for you)passport or ID card with you at all times.
- The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers. Being over the allowed limit can result in hefty fines. and even imprisonment.
- The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.
- It’s easiest to park outside the city walls and walk or take public transport or a taxi into the historic center. Blue lines are pay parking.
- Be careful not to enter the ZTL (zona traffico limitato - limited traffic zone) if you don’t have permission.
Toll roads
There are numerous toll roads in Italy. The exact fee depends on the route of your choice and the type of a vehicle. See the official Italian toll road website for more information. Use the website’s toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.
Ideas for day trips
- Modena and Parma. Foodies will delight in two other culinary destinations in the Emilia-Romagna region, each with a beautiful historic center. Modena is home to balsamic vinegar, and can be reached from Bologna in less than an hour. Parma is home to parmigiano Reggiano cheese and prosciutto di Parma and can be reached from Bologna in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Ferrara. Another neighbor, Ferrara is about an hour’s drive to the northeast of Bologna. Yet to be discovered en masse by tourists, the city has anauthentic atmosphere and there are no crowds at its landmarks that include the stunning Este Castle, the ancient frescoes of Schifanoia Castle, and the rotunda of the Claudio Abbado Theater.
- Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, and Campigna Forest National Park. The region of Emilia-Romagna is one of the most urbanized parts of Italy but has found a place for this scenic nature preserve. Characterized by beech and oak woodlands, deep valleys, and ancient monasteries, it has all the right ingredients for an enjoyable day outdoors. The drive from Bologna takes about two hours.
- Perugia. Like Bologna, Perugia is an inland city, and like Bologna, it is known for its excellent universities and fascinating history. The capital of the Umbria region, it does not get as many visitors as some of the larger Italian metropolises, but that only seems to add to its unique atmosphere which is also embodied by landmarks such as the ancient Marzia Gate and the Rocca Paolina fortress. The drive south of Bologna takes about three hours.
Most popular cars
The most popular rental cars in Italy are the Fiat Panda, the Ford Fiesta, and the Fiat 500. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.
Further destinations
- Florence. As famous and interesting as Bologna is, Florence is a place every visitor should consider a side trip to. The wealth of culture, art, and history in the Renaissance capital will blow away even the most seasoned travelers. The drive from Bologna takes only about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- San Marino. One of the smallest countries on the planet, San Marino is completely surrounded by Italy. Reasons to visit include its picturesque fortresses, elevated landscape, and beautiful vineyards. Despite its small size, San Marino claims to be the oldest republic in the world. The drive from Bologna takes about two hours.
- Venice. A destination like no other, the floating city is another world-famous destination that’s within a two-hour drive of Bologna. Landmarks like Doge’s Palace and the St. Mark’s Basilica are not to be overlooked, but if you have time, make sure to also check out the surrounding islands that offer even more character and atmosphere than the busy center.
- Italian Car Museums. Racecar and Formula 1 fans should head into Italy’s ‘Motor Valley’ to see some of Italy’s car factories and museums, including those of Ferrari and Lamborghini, both less than an hour from Bologna.
Car rental prices in Bologna
- Convertibles - from $17 per day
- Station wagons - from $13 per day
- Large cars - from $8 per day
- Medium cars - from $3 per day
- Vans - from $15 per day
- Premium cars - from $45 per day
- Small cars - from $1 per day
- SUVs - from $3 per day
Money-saving and other tips
There are many things you can do to get a good rental deal in Bologna:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit during low seasons - outside of summer months and major holidays (like Easter, Ferragosto, Christmas).
- Explore pickup locations. A nearby town that’s reached easily by train may have a better rate.
- Don’t rent a car for time you’ll spend in cities. It will just sit in a parking lot or garage (and you’ll need to pay for parking!).
- Look into renting ‘open jaw’ - pick up your car in one destination and drop it off in another. While you will likely need to pay a supplement for your car rental, you’ll save money on gas and tolls and you’ll save precious vacation time!
- Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Bologna is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 60% cheaper than the yearly average.
Fact checked by
Candice Criscione
This article was reviewed and updated by Candice Criscione who has been helping travelers visit Italy since 2004. Her experience living, working (as a guide and professor), and traveling throughout the country gives her an insider’s perspective on bella Italia. She lives in Tuscany and spends her days helping people plan their dream vacations to Italy, cycling, and running after her three boys! You can find her online at Mom in Italy and The Tuscan Mom, on Facebook (Italy Travel Advice and Mom in Italy - Travel in Italy with Kids), and on Pinterest (Mom in Italy).
Top 20 cities near Bologna
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31.3 km / 19.4 miles away
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136.3 km / 84.7 miles away
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136.4 km / 84.8 miles away
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137.6 km / 85.5 miles away
-
139.4 km / 86.6 miles away
Top 20 locations near Bologna
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5.3 km / 3.3 miles away
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80.9 km / 50.3 miles away
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84.5 km / 52.5 miles away
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84.8 km / 52.7 miles away
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100.7 km / 62.6 miles away
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128.9 km / 80.1 miles away
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177.4 km / 110.2 miles away
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178.7 km / 111 miles away
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187.8 km / 116.7 miles away
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192.4 km / 119.6 miles away
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194.6 km / 120.9 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Bologna?
Car rental prices in Bologna vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Bologna
The cheapest month to rent a car in Bologna is February (when prices average $12.83 per day). This is 42% cheaper than the yearly average and 58% cheaper than renting in September (when prices average $30.55).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What’s the usual rental length in Bologna?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in July, the average renter keeps their car for 7 days, and in January, they keep their car for 5 days.
Average number of rental days in Bologna
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Bologna?
Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Bologna is September, and the least popular is February.
Monthly searches in Bologna by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Car rental locations | 9 |
| Airport locations | 1 |
| Popular suppliers | RentalPlus, RentSmart24, Felirent, Locauto, GaldieriRent |
| Popular car categories | Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Large cars |
| Lowest price | $1 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | U-Save |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RentalPlus | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| RentalPlus | Fiat 500X | 5 | 3 | Medium cars |
| RentalPlus | Fiat Panda | 5 | 1 | Medium cars |
| RentalPlus | Ford Puma | 4 | 3 | Medium cars |
| Felirent | Fiat Panda | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| GaldieriRent | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Goldcar | Fiat Panda | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Carwiz | Fiat Panda | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| RentSmart24 | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| RentSmart24 | Renault Clio | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
Our customers' reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.
AA
Malta
Citroen C3
11/7/24
We did a trip around Lake Garda.
Beautiful mountains and scenery, and all restaurants we visited were good 🙂 
AK
Poland
Fiat Panda
9/19/24
Cinque Tierre was a very good experience
OS
Russian Federation
Volkswagen Golf
8/18/24
I had a nice impression from my trip
BM
Poland
Fiat 500X
7/23/24 
DM
Australia
Fiat 500
6/5/24
Visit the country side of Bologna and Emilia Romagna
LD
Canada
Peugeot 308
6/4/24
Note to other renters. Use Waze App to insure you are not driving in restricted areas in Bologna, Modena, Parma etc.
KL
United Kingdom
BMW X3
5/6/24
Tuscany is beautiful and the people generous. The triangle between Florence, Volterra and Siena is the most beautiful.
SG
United Kingdom
Kia Sportage
2/11/24
Nice
KB
United States of America (USA)
Fiat 500X
1/6/24
restaurants, parties
PW
Netherlands
Fiat Panda
10/22/23
Great via ferrata near Garda Lake
PK
Slovakia
Opel Mokka
9/24/23 
PD
Romania
Fiat Panda
8/30/23
It was good
TT
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
8/15/23
Very good experience. Lovely staff , educate and knowledgeable.
They were very calm and professional sorting some customers issue out .
Look like not everyone got clear the idea of importance to do the insurance. To avoid a long queues and complaints u may want send message once the booking is confirmed so customer will not loose too much time .
KC
United States of America (USA)
Volkswagen T-Cross
8/9/23
Bologna is a beautiful city.
IB
Ukraine
Fiat 500
8/5/23
We took car to travel around Grosetto. Beaches and nature there are amazing! Without a car it’s not possible to taste different dinners in different places everyday, and also not possible to visit multiple beaches.
RC
Denmark
Fiat 500
7/18/23
Driving around Tuscany and Umbria
RL
United Kingdom
Peugeot 5008 5+2
7/11/23
My trip was mostly seeing my family.
MA
United Arab Emirates
Fiat Panda
6/19/23
Recommended rental company
BZ
Poland
Citro?n C3
5/26/23
Siteviewing, riding around Italy
NG
Romania
Fiat 500L
5/22/23
Tuscany is great, car selection was great too for that landscape.
AS
United States of America (USA)
Fiat Panda
5/16/23
So happy we rented a car for our Italy trip. We explored the northern regions of Tuscany and all around Lake Garda. Having a small car was super important, lots of tiny roads and even more tiny parking spaces.
EH
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
5/14/23 
RO
Netherlands
Citroen C3
5/14/23
Great experience and beautiful 😍 place en lovely beach en country Bellissimo 🇮🇹
RG
United States of America (USA)
Opel Crossland X
4/21/23
Italy is a beautiful place, I just wish the weather had been better for our April trip.
JF
Italy
BMW 2 Series
4/15/23
With the car that gave me noleggiare.it the experience was very bad. They destroyed my all programs.
YK
Israel
Fiat Panda
4/12/23
Dozza, San marino, and Ferrara were amazing. also San luca church and view point, and Fico
RR
Israel
Ford Fiesta
3/24/23
Very nices places to visit, great food, fteindly people. 
MH
United Kingdom
Fiat Tipo
3/14/23
Location away from airport requiring shuttle bus is a nuisance.
IG
Turkey
Fiat 500
2/11/23
Bologna, Tuscany, very beautiful places.
AP
Greece
Fiat 500
1/7/23
We visited Tuscany. Very exciting trip. Siena, Firenze, Pisa,Lucca, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Monteriggioni, Chianti area in 6 days! Streets were good and the car was very easy to drive! Thanks!
TA
United States of America (USA)
Fiat Panda
12/4/22
not much to say
IF
Israel
Mercedes Vito
8/21/22
The car was exactly what I expected. There were no issues during the trip.
ZS
Romania
Toyota Aygo
6/20/22
we visited Mirabilandia Park in Ravenna, Safari Ravenna si MiniItalia in Rimini - we really loved the parks
MC
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Qashqai
12/21/21
Conveniently located, great communication
IL
Sweden
Opel Corsa
9/4/20
Bologna is one of the most interesting cities in northern Italy. When visiting Bologna, eat a lot. You are in the best food region of Italy.
RH
Brazil
Kia Rio
2/16/20
Great places to visit around Bologna!
RS
Norway
Fiat Panda
11/1/19
A good start for travelling in north Italy the coast down to Ancona and Tuscany Take the small roads
PH
United Kingdom
Seat Leon STW
8/23/19
Went to Siena. Roads direct and generally good surfaces although lanes narrower than used to
DM
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
6/18/19
Beautiful city and surrounding countryside, quiet roads with amazing views
ER
Italy
Opel Astra
12/30/18
Bologna is beautiful and I really enjoy.
Good food, beautiful hystorical center, nice people, great Christmas fell.
CP
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Qashqai
10/23/18
Leave plenty of time for your journey in travelling in Bologna!
JG
United Kingdom
Citroen C1
8/8/18
Bologna very nice, good shopping and eating opportunities, definitely worth an explore.
IM
United Kingdom
Fiat 500 L
7/26/18
Be very wary of ZTL limited traffic zones in towns and cities, expolore as far as you feel confident as there are lots of surrounding places worthy of a visit, Modena and Parma for Ham and Balsamic and parmesan etc. this area is great
Car Rental Statistics
Highest-rated company
Locauto
8.9 / 10
Lowest-rated company
Surprice
5.1 / 10
Total number of reviews
97
Total rental companies
35
Average daily price
$8.27
Lowest daily price
$1.40
Total cars available
1360
Top 35 suppliers in Bologna in 2024
Locauto
2 locations
$17 - $227
Enterprise
3 locations
$31 - $194
Carwiz
2 locations
$3 - $224
Alamo
2 locations
$37 - $181
Centauro
1 location
$9 - $38
Hertz
4 locations
$29 - $56
SIXT
3 locations
$46 - $159
RentalPlus
1 location
$4 - $146
Maggiore
3 locations
$17 - $112
Optimo Rent
2 locations
$9 - $43
Sicily By Car
2 locations
$12 - $93
National
2 locations
$41 - $183
U-Save
2 locations
$1 - $29
Thrifty
5 locations
$22 - $74
Dollar
4 locations
$22 - $37
Flizzr
3 locations
$40 - $74
Goldcar
1 location
$8
RentSmart24
1 location
$4 - $31
OTOQ
1 location
$29 - $560
Key'n Go
1 location
$32
Europcar
2 locations
$35 - $294
Felirent
1 location
$2 - $627
Ecovia
3 locations
$12 - $230
Italy Car Rent
1 location
$39 - $157
Autovia
3 locations
$13 - $243
Avis
2 locations
$29 - $109
Keddy
1 location
$21 - $51
Drivalia
2 locations
$12 - $188
Rental4leisure
1 location
$12 - $188
Budget
3 locations
$23 - $123
Noleggiare
3 locations
$16 - $1,399
GaldieriRent
1 location
$3 - $78
YES YOU RENT
2 locations
$8 - $276
Target Rent
1 location
$3
Surprice
1 location
$6 - $44
Awards
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Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
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Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
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SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
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