Car hire in Milan
The city that has it all
Fashion and football, design and architecture, hip bars and haute cuisine, Italy’s second largest city is the place to see and be seen. Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, a car is essential for grabbing a bargain at the out-of-town fashion outlet or eating at that trattoria known only to locals.
So what are you waiting for? Start your journey in Milan with Avis car hire today.
Plan your trip in Milan
Piazza Duomo (Cathedral Square) is the main hub of Milan, where you can see the magnificent Milan Cathedral as well as some of Milan’s most important buildings. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer size and features of the Cathedral (it has 135 spires and a staggering 3,200 statues). The roof, accessible by stairs and lift, gives you a breathtaking view of Milan.On the other side of the piazza you’ll see the entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, an exclusive shopping arcade built in the 19th century. Enjoy a stroll to admire the bars, cafés and up-market shops.
At the other end of the Galleria, across the road, stands La Scala, the world-famous opera house. Join a guided tour to discover the many secrets and facts about this splendid theatre. It’s a short distance from La Scala to the Quadrilatero d’Oro fashion district, four streets forming a compact location for stores of the biggest designer names.
One of the city’s major highlights is, of course, Leonardo da Vinci’s Il Cenacolo or ‘Last Supper’, in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It’s a very popular attraction so make sure you book tickets well ahead. Da Vinci also helped design the defences of the imposing Castello Sforzesco in Piazza Castello, which now houses several museums with exhibits covering Palaeolithic history and furniture, among other things.
Fashion shows
If you’re intending to visit one of the city’s famous trade shows, a hire car is a must as most events are now held approximately 15-20 kms from the city centre. Fiera Milano at Rho can be reached via the A4 and the A8/A9 motorways or the Tangenziale Ovest.
Road trips from Milan
When it’s time to escape the city, you don’t have to go far from Milan to find great options.Lake Como
Take the A9 and SS340 from Milan. The journey to Lake Como should take about 90 minutes.
Lake Como is one of the top destinations in Italy with its outstanding natural beauty. It’s situated at the foot of the Rhaetian Alps, and its shoreline is clustered with tiny villages and towns. Bellagio is a popular village to explore, thanks to its lakeside setting and centuries-old buildings.
Pavia
It will take you about 50 minutes to drive to Pavia. Its perhaps not one of the best known destinations in Italy, but is something of a hidden gem. Founded in Roman times, it was once known as the 'City of 100 towers', although just 35 remain today. Take your time exploring the narrow streets of the historic centre, where you'll find numerous churches and pretty small piazas, the castle and cathedral. No visit to Pavia is complete without seeing the Certosa di Pavia monastery. One of the most impressive examples of Renaissance architecture in the region, it lies in the countryside 10 kms miles north of the city.
Driving rules in Italy
Which side of the road?In Italy, please drive on the right side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free device
- Dipped headlights must be used in poor daylight visibility when driving on motorways, dual carriageways, and rural roads
- Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
- Do not use the horn in a built up area unless in danger
- There are historical areas in which you cannot drive. Look out for “Zona traffico limitato”
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Urban roads: 50 km/h (31 mph)
- Urban highways: 70 km/h (44 mph)
- Secondary extra-urban roads: 90 km/h (56 mph)
- Main extra-urban roads (Expressways): 110 km/h (68 mph)
- Motorways: 130 km/h (80mph)
Be aware of changes to speed limits displayed on road signs due to adverse weather conditions.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children aged under 12 and less than 150cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size
- Children weighing up to 9kg must be seated in a rear-facing child restraint, in the back of the car only
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.