I have never rented a car in Italy and I'd be afraid to. I think I am missing out though because it would be nice to explore the countryside fully in Tuscany and Umbria, plus I'd love to go to the spa in Fiuggi, Lazio. Really good video with helpful advice. The parking in Italy never fails to amuse. I have however, ridden on the back of motorini, and motocicli in Roma and I wasn't scared. It was exhilarating☆
Yeah, for the smaller towns you could consider a car and see more of the country on your own terms. I can relate as I remember whizzing down the streets of Napoli on a scooter! Terrifying at first though.
We rented a car and went to Fiuggi and loved it. We also went to caramanico terme for Sulphur therapy (gets rid of sinus issues and arthrities) and chianciano terme for liver detox...... worth getting a car for it. I know a 92 year old self-sufficient lady that did the terme every year.
Bus service is great in Umbria - even to the small borgos. No car is needed. Tuscany is larger and many of the routes do not connect to train stations. A car may be needed. On Google maps click on the transit option icon and tap the blue symbol to see the route and time schedule.
2cent from italian prospective 1)Driving in places like Rome,Naples is asking for trouble: traffic congestion , undisciplined drivers ,lack of parking. 2) Do not drive with your purse on the passenger seat and the window open to avoid theft . 3) Do not park your car with valuable stuff inside above all if it's clearly visibile .
Giusto ! Common sense really. It depends where you drive in Rome. I avoid areas near piazza Venezia like a plague and I still try and map out my journies.
One of my favorite driving experiences of my life was driving a small Fiat thru the country side of Tuscany on our first trip to Italy . I loved it. I was nervous before we went and even thought of changing our plans to doing a tour so I wouldn't drive, but my wife insisted that we did an independent style vacation. That woman is a genius. We landed in Rome and picked our car up at the airport, the whole time I was nervous, then when we were in the car and turned on the GPS and just followed directions out it was fine. Sure we got a little lost, missed an exit or two and had an epic time at the first toll booth we came across. Like you said, a million stories to tell our friends. I did park in the wrong place when we went to Pisa and did receive a ticket several months later in the mail. Knowing I would go back to Italy we paid it. So we returned to Italy earlier this Summer with some family in tow, so we needed a bigger car. We rented a full size Sedan that was unfortunately automatic. And Full size. Still enjoyed the country side but not as much because the roads are so narrow that I was in constant stress of damaging the car and as bad as parking can be, it's that much worse in a big car. The upside on this trip is no Tickets. Yea! And learned how to get through those darn Tolls. Loved driving in Italy, but will not drive in Big towns or Cities. No driving in Florence, or Rome for me. And if you are someone looking just to go from one big city to another such as Rome to Florence, don't forget the high speed rail because, Awesome also.
Hi. Interesting story 😀. What mishap did you have at the toll booths? I was at one a few days ago and it makes me laugh how unprepared people are. Like they had no idea they were traveling! I take it you were hoping for a manual transmission, how come ? Yeah driving really isn’t too too complicated here. You just need to understand a few road signs which are different here than in North America and you also just need to be alert. Agreed. Take a train between big cities. Although I do love the autonomy you have with a car.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Oh that toll booth. It was actually an automated booth as you get onto the autostrada as I recall and of course all the instructions were in Italian, which I could not read. For some reason we were confused and thought we had to pay to get on the autostrada so I was trying to put cash and then credit card into the ticket dispenser. I’m my defense I was properly embarrassed when we realized it was a ticket dispenser and not a money taker. I did want a manual car as most of our driving was going to be in the country and our last trip we had a manual, which had been fun to drive. However with this trip and such a large car I’m glad it was auto as we drove into La Spezia several times in order to get the train to Cinque Terra. Traffic was crazy. Glad I found your channel, liking your content.
I can understand that confusion. The simplest things can be confusing if we're not used to them. What makes sense to the host country is confusing to the foreigner.
Tbh i’d also not worry abt driving the car anywhere as im from Asia😂😂but the problem is ive never driven on right lanes so will definitely be confused and dont wanna crash on my first holiday🤣🤣
Thank you very much! I bought my plane ticket and rented a car already... glad I bothered to watch this video before I leave lol. You do a great job presenting everything!
Thank you. It is was a great help David. For a few weeks I was thinking that I will need to drive into the center of Milan due to time constraints on our trip but now I am convinced it is better to park and ride as in park near an outer suburb metro and catch public transport.
Picking up the rental car tomorrow and driving from Bolzano to Gudan/Chiusa area. Its a manual and slightly nervous but excited too. Your video was very helpful
Hahha mannnnn, I've been living in Rome for a couple years now and driving for a year. There's never a dull moment - You gotta keep your head on a swivel over here. The other day while going through a four-way intersection I was almost tboned from the driver's side and in that moment, I had no idea who was at fault. Well, now I do thanks to your video. Haha. Ogni giorno rompono le mie scatole.
Ci hann rutt o cazz as they say in Napoli! No no , I can assure you that you weren’t at fault. The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago; a distracted older driver who was probably too focused on talking to his wife. Then he had the nerve to tell me “calma”. Sure anything to take the focus off himself. Super glad my videos help! Glad also to hear of others who are surviving Rome driving !
Rented a car in Italy 3 times. Just fine. Obviously don't drive in Rome or any other big city but the countryside is easy.WAZE worked just great. Also let tailgaters pass you. Also avoid areas that require resident permits. Park outside of town (like Siena) and be prepared to walk to the city center. Driving in Italy was fantastic.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly We'll be picking up our rental car in Florence and then driving around Tuscany for a week before dropping off the car in Rome. Our time driving in Rome will be limited to the dropoff so here's hoping it won't be too bad! 🤞🏻
You’ll be fine but it’s never a bad idea to study the road before you arrive in Rome. Not all Roman drivers are aggressive. Be prepared for people who change lanes without using a turn signal and the one thing that gets my nerves are people who don’t respect the lanes. What I mean is the guy in the lane to your left will slowly start drifting into your lane or maybe just one tire will be in your lane. That’s irritating because you don’t know if they want to stay in their lane or come into your lane. You’ll see what I mean! The key to driving in Rome is simply be alert and try to anticipate what the people around you are going to do
@@DavidsDoseofItaly It's been nearly a year, but I just wanted to follow up here and let you know that we made it through Italy in our little Volkswagen Polo safe and sound with no difficulty at all! Thanks so much again for all your pointers!
Helpful tips and I appreciate the vocabulary lessons. I am going to rent car when I am on Sardegna but I will be in Rome for one day....Is Uber prevalent in Rome?
Thank you! To this day, I still don’t understand if Uber is used in Italy, because there was a lot of controversy between them and the taxi unions. Let’s just say they are not prevalent here in Italy but try anyway.
I lived in Italy for approximately 4 years. I drove a Camry. Yes the street are smaller but I never had an issue. You have to be alert. Do not forget to get insurance. It will be cheaper if you get it before you leave your country. 3Let me tell you, I was more afraid driving in Atlanta, Georgia than Italy. 🤣
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Atlanta is notoriously extremely congested and the drivers often drive really fast even though everybody is nose to tail in all the lanes, and so driving is extremely difficult in a way that it might not be in other parts. Atlanta also has the peculiarity of hosting both aggressive urban drivers and those who grew up in a less congested, perhaps more rural setting, and those who grew up inside the South and those who didn't, and all of them have different ideas of appropriate speed and levels of aggression, and this produces highly inconsistent driver behavior.
@@unconventionalideas5683 @Unconventional Ideas That sounds very much like Rome. We too are a conglomerate of people transplanted from different areas of Italy and other parts of the world. I definitely see different driving styles there.
Thanks for doing this video! You mentioned things I hadn't considered at all. I've changed my mind about driving in Italy on a first-time upcoming trip coming. It just seems too complicated. So, perhaps I'll do it another time... or not at all. Thanks, again!
To rent a car or not is purely subjective. It depends where you want to go and what you want to do. I would say though that it if you just want to see the big cities then yes I would not recommend a car.
Same here..was thinking abt renting as we’re going on 21st of july..as a driver of uk i dont think i can drive there😂😂never have the idea of driving on the right hand side as well..and i need some foot exercise😂
Hello. I came across this video looking for tips for driving in Italy. We rented a car for 4 days to go outside city and go more countryside and it’s been an adventure. I’ve only just been driving in between Milan and Verona. Trying to find only blue zones to park, it seems people go 20-40+ over posted speed limit on major highways. Fuel here because it’s by liter so comparing to US ends up being about $7/gal. The people not knowing which lane they want to be in. The amount of roundabouts and doesn’t seem like there is a system and people go where they want and then switch lanes. Seems like there is always tolls if you want to drive on major highways and it’s just a thing they do here. Thanks for video
Hi. You have pretty much captured the essence of driving in this country. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. One important thing to remember is that when they are speeding by you in all directions it doesn’t mean that you need to copy this way of driving Let them get irritated and let them honk
Nice video. Very honest. i got my driver license (car & motorbike) in rome. Even if i dont live there anymore, but in a small town, where people drive very slow, i still have an aggressive driving attitude. Rome its not car friendly, much better scooters or bikes. I used a bicycle for more than one year, but it's ok only if u dont live on the hills, but definitely a option, and roman usually feels you like a treat and stay away. Obviously have to pay attention (with bicycle) to wet sanpietrino, birds shi* or deadly wet bird shi* (via delle milizie), and tram trails. Using bicycle u became really creative, lots of time in summer i go back to home passing through villa borghese park. Go to parco degli acquedotti with bike, or the caffarella too, or close to you, villa pamphili, even if the gianicolo's hill could be challenging. It's a change of perspective, u can go everywhere, silently, and fast.
Honestly I really don’t think Rome is a great city for bike riding especially when they’re in the middle of traffic. Some parts are fine whereas some are a nightmare. Viale Marconi comes to mind. I had a bike in Salerno and it was much more comfy riding it there.
Have you already made the reservation ? In Italy you might be able to pick it up in one city and drop it off in another. Let me know ! Florence is a bit more civil than Rome and Orvieto from what I remember is a charming little town. You’ll certainly have a nice scenic drive between both cities !
First time I went to Italy I flew into Florence and then rented a car when it was time to leave Florence so I could have some freedom driving to quite a few other places. The ZTLs were stressful but otherwise I enjoyed driving in Italy, especially the autostrada where they actually obey the rules about fast cars in the left lane, unlike here in the US. This is, however, coming from someone that loves to drive and lives in a large city. Any time I was in a larger city I left the car behind. Also, you MUST be able to drive a manual transmission. I've heard Southern Italy is tougher to drive in than Northern, so that may be a whole new ball game. Great video, by the way!
Oh yes, the ZTLs in Rome. The obvious money grab attempt by the city. You know I never thought about it but you’re right in that Italians do in fact respect the fast line unlike the USA. Also, if you’re in the middle lane, they don’t tailgate you and expect you to move out of their way on a three lane highway. Manual transmission is still the preferred one here but it is changing. My car for example is not manual even though I prefer driving stick. Long story! Although for driving in a city like Rome, it is handy. Bad drivers do exist all over this country but I would say things are a bit more wild down south. In fact that is a channel here on YT called Bad drivers of Italy! Imagine that, a whole channel dedicated to this idea! Glad you liked the video, do check out the other videos in the playlist if you want a chuckle!
@@DavidsDoseofItaly this year he made the "moviola" when some clips on Thursday selected by us (viewers) will be analyzed on the second channel Dashcam e Sicurezza
Ah ok! I’ve always wondered how he gets all his video clips! I didn’t think he spent his whole day traveling to random Italian cities and with his dashboard camera always on hoping to see accidents.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly hai capito male il commento, magari all'inizio c'erano più video dove il proprietario del canale era alla guida, ma ultimamente siamo noi a mandarli (nota in alto a sinistra c'è il nickname del guidatore e il luogo) e li analizza per vedere se è una clip che può pubblicare e oscurare le targhe. I video li pubblica il giovedì, noi li guardiamo perché si può sempre imparare come ci si comporta in quelle situazioni. Adesso se abbiamo dei dubbi chiediamo spiegazioni e il lunedì sul suo secondo canale si analizza alcune clip selezionate mettendo a confronto con il Codice della Strada, in più ci sono le "clip da cartellino rosso" scartate per la guida pericolosa del guidatore che ha mandato la clip e che riceve lo stesso tipo di analisi delle altre. Comunque si può vedere la differenza sulla guida di vari Stati anche tramite questi canali. Mi scuso per aver scritto in italiano, già ho problemi con la mia lingua nella scrittura, se avessi provato a scrivere in inglese non avresti capito molto per via di errori grammaticali
@@marco_grt4460 Ma non ti preoccupare! Sul mio canale sono permesse tutte e due le lingue e io cerco sempre di rispondere in un italiano decente. Comunque si, ci siamo capiti sia ora che anche prima. Non sapevo che quello di Bad drivers in Italy raccoglieva tutti i suoi clip dai suoi iscritti e non credevo che andasse in giro per tutta l'Italia a riprendere queste scene proprio nel momento giusto. Il segreto è stato svelato! Quasi quasi gli mando anch'io un clip visto che qua a Roma non mancano gli scemi al volante!
I frequently take trains throughout , Italy, and I really have had few problems. Just be aware of when there is a national strike. There was one a few days ago, and flights and trains were halted.
Excellent information and thank you so much! We will be renting a car from the Venice airport and driving to the Dolomites for two weeks this fall. Having a very difficult time sorting through car rental reviews and companies. If you or anyone reading have a good recommendation for a company to use please do share with us! Thank you
thank you! Well I had no issues with Locauto this past Xmas and I talk about in a recent video. It's not easy I know, but in the end it's always a bit of a gamble. Your best bet is to stick with the big names, like Avis, Herz, Enterprise. ruclips.net/video/inr_cO3vrZI/видео.html. best of luck and let me know how you make out.
Thank you for making this video. Great tips! I can't wait to visit Italy one day, but will definitely leave the driving to my husband 😆. This will truly test his skills if not his patience (he drives for a living).
Hey Ker! thanks for taking the time to leave me the nice comment! Oh yes, his patience and skills will be put to the test. It's like swimming, just dive right in and be alert.
If he’s a professional driver it’s no problem, I drive a garbage truck downtown LA and sandiego. I love driving in Italy, just be alert and watch other drivers and be All the other drivers are alert too so you actually get a good flow If you loose gps , find a spot to pull over and recordinate. Do not take your eyes of the road and you’ll be fine👍👍😎😎
I plan on renting a car in Florence and driving around the Tuscan countryside. My only worry is knowing where and when I'm allowed to drive around Florence since the city center is usually ZTL. The rental company is within these limits so I imagine that I'm already in the ZTL?
That is a great question. Assuming you haven’t done the rental yet I would ask the rental company that same question because it’s relevant. I would also do as much research as possible about the roads that you want to drive on to see if there are these obstacles
Do you tip the gas station attendants? What is expected there? Picking up a 1976 lancia fulvia soon and going to give it one last romp around Italy before shipping home!
I had a legit panic attack driving in Florence, going through ZTLs. Often by the time you see the ZTL sign it’s too late to turn around 😬 I’ll never rent a car in a major city in Italy again 😂
You have to be a good driver and be very relax at driving to drive in Naples for instance. My wife could not believe it... if you're more the nervous type, you're gonna be alright because they are good drivers but you're not gonna like the experience... Also, I felt like one of the biggest difference is passing. People pass on secondary road all the time. You stay on the right side of you lane and they'll use the left side of the lane to pass you ... often getting close to be three cars wide one on two lane facing each others... They'll just sneak in between.
Thank you for your tips.I was driving in Italy for 8 days .driving from Milan downtown,in Ferenze downtown and rome .True drivers dont follow rules passing left and right esp motorcycles .Yes very aggressive drivers than floridian lol.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Bro! Thank you so much for your video. I just got back from my trip and driving in Italy was a cool experience. Nothing negative to say about it and your video helped me a ton! Thanks man! I also looked up traffic signs in Italy and that was enough for me to understand how to drive there. Thanks for your help!
Hi Corinne. Unfortunately no. You need to get the AAA international license or just get your Italian one. There is no deal between the US and Italy so the licences can't be converted.
Hey David great video. I am going to be traveling by car from Rome to Naples next week! I will definitely be using this video as a study guide, wish me luck!!
Awesome! Best of luck and I hope my video helps I have little experience driving in Napoli but I think it’s similar to Rome and perhaps a bit more “saucy “ !
My experience is that no one pays attention to stop signs unless there is conflicting traffic. In Puglia, I found it strange that stop signs were often put at the entrance to round-abouts. This says to me that in practice, the stop sign is used more like a yield sign. Do obey stop lights however. There are few of them, but they are usually placed at blind corners and there is often a cop lurking close by.
they put stop signs because in italy a roundabout doesn't require you to stop or even give road. 99.9% of roundabouts in Italy have give road signs or very rarely a stop sign though, so nothing to worry about
It's a very informative video! Thank you! One question, though: Is it allowed to attach a camera to the front windshield in Italy? I want to drive around with a GoPro and capture landscapes.
Planning to rent a car in Puglia in June. Route will be Bari airport to Otranto/Salento region then to Matera and drop off back at Bari airport. Should I be scared? Driven in Greece but not Italy. I'm assuming because Puglia is fairly rural it will be fine? Thanks for your awesome videos!
Hi there. I wouldn’t be scared per se. I would just be cautious as you drive because it’s probably different than what you’re used to. If you’re going to be driving in rural areas, I suggest you studied the route carefully before you take it. Also be aware that a lot of rural roads in Italy probably haven’t received any kind of maintenance in years so it might be a bit bumpy. Take it slow and steady and you’ll be fine.
I drove in Rome on weekend at about 10PM after soccer mach. It was a great fun. Everybody was out and walking or driving. My friend was shitting marbles and I was just honking and screaming ANDIAMO. This time i will visit with my wife Riviera and I hope it will be fun as well.
Hi I’m from australia and going to Italy in 3 weeks I’m hiring a car Bari, almafi coast, Rome, Florence, cinque terre & Venice it’s OnIy to get from hotel to hotel in each city and park in hotel each location . Think it’s about 2-3 days each location and while we are at each city we will take the metro
Hello, my friend. On February 1st, I will be coming to Italy with my wife. I have rented a car from Locauto. I will pick up the car from Rome Fiumicino Airport at 17:30. After that, I will head towards Venice. I found a small hotel in Venice. In the following days, I will visit Bologna, Florence, Pisa, and finally return to Rome. This trip will last approximately 6 days, and I plan to reach Rome early in the morning on the 4th day. Can you provide me with some information about the roads and things I should pay attention to? I am a bit confused about refueling. In my country, there are attendants at gas stations.And to be honest, I'm feeling a bit tense.My English is limited, and I will be traveling as a tourist who does not speak Italian.😅
Hey! I have just seen this message now so my apologies. For what it’s worth, I will answer your questions even though you probably already completed your trip. The best advice that I can give you is that Italians are proactive drivers and for North American standards they probably seem rather aggressive. As for the roads I would just simply pay attention to the white and blue arrows as they indicate the direction that you have to go to, especially when driving on tight streets. Full attention is key in this country when driving. Be very mindful when you see signs for speed cameras. In regards to refueling it’s really very easy. Whenever I have to refuel, I simply tell the man at the pump, and by the way full serve is very common in this country, “40 benzina”. It does help to learn to say the numbers in Italian, but that’s basically all I tell them. Also, if I have a good impression of the person I give them a euro tip. I hope this helps or at least for your next trip
the funny thing is that as a Roman all the things you have listed as "defects" I have always seen them as "strengths" or at least as a necessary basis to be able to drive in our streets
You know I've been driving here for 2 years and even though I don't agree with that style of driving I will admit that it does sharpen your senses. However I still do see some behaviors which for me are potential risks for us all. Can you please explain to me why so many motorists don't respect the lanes when they drive?
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I am an extremely calm person but when i drive it becomes impossible. If you respect all the rules, no one will allow you to pass, to enter in a side street and you will always arrive late
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I think that's a Rome thing. Here in Torino if you straddle the lanes you may not _immediately_ get honked at but rest assured I and many others will be throwing a couple of _madonne_ your way within a couple seconds, because you're holding up people. The only time straddling lanes is acceptable is if you're doing it to squeeze an extra lane out of a wide road. For example there's a couple intersections where there are 3 lanes painted, two to go straight and one to go left. But the left turn lane is much larger than the others, so people who want to turn left go as far left as possible and people who want to go straight squeeze inbetween them and the first straight-through lane, so an extra lane is gained. There's one intersection that I can think of where there's only two painted lanes but they usually become 4. Only on sharp bends you need to be on your toes, way too many people cut the corner and invade your lane without looking behind and it annoys me every time, even though I know it's coming.
Do the gas station pumps and highway toll booths take credit card? Or perhaps do the rental cars have transmitter boxes in them like in other countries, and the gates are automated and you’re billed through the rental agency?
Yeah you can pay by card at pumps. However always keep cash on hand just to be safe. I don’t think transmitter boxes are common in Italy in rental cars. During my last rental in Sicily I didn’t have one
Thanks for the tips! We are travelling to Munich this September and plan to rent a car and drive to Swiss, Italy, Austria and Czech before returning the car at Munich after 16 days. Are there any additional border crossings permits that we need to buy do you know…? Or is it not feasible way of road trip..? Thanks in advance!
We are staying a few days by the Vatican Museum, but we are then headed to Calabria so we definitely need a rental car. My plan is to not rent a car until the night before we leave that part of Rome, and then leave the next morning super early (5AM) in order to hopefully make it out unscathed before traffic gets too crazy. Hope this works!🙏
Hey David, amazing video thank you so much! Exactly what I was looking for. One question, I would like to travel across the country using a car, but dont really want to drive in the cities. Do you think its a practical plan to drive to just outside the city, and take public transportation/walk/scooter within the city? I would like to stay over nights in the country side, but still want the opportunity to visit the cities. Thank so much!!!
Hey Jessica! Yeah that's a good plan. There are many great little towns which are only accessible by car so you'll be sure to see some unique places. Yeah, driving in the city can be daunting if you're not used to it and the driving culture of that place. BUT if you try driving here and consider that I see few accidents here (I saw a lot more in the USA) it would be a personal victory to say I drove in an Italian city! However, yeah you can get around Italian cities using public transportation. Use the metro here in Rome if you can.
Thanks again David. My next visit to Italy will require a car rental. I didn’t know that I need a intl driving permit till I saw this video. I lived on Long Island and worked in the city. I’m use to driving there. My nerves are going to be shot by the time I get to Sorrento. After the holidays, I should have my Italian citizenship confirmed and want to spend some time in Rome. What are the requirements for obtaining a driver license there?
Well I always suggest getting one. I’ve been stopped 5 times by the carabinieri and I always showed it to them. You get it at AAA In the States. 20-30$
Another great video but you left out the topic of insurance on your rental car. Always read the fine print of what is and is not covered and get what I like to call, "walk away insurance", which means if you total the car, your car gets stolen, or any other major catastrophe, you call the rental agency and and walk away. Deductables in Italy are way higher than in America and can run into thousands of dollars. Read the fine print when you book, preferably in advance when you book online and can read the fine print in English. Also, if you get a ticket from a roadway radar camera and it gets sent to the rental agency, you will be charged a fee for the amount of the fine plus a fee for the rental agency handling the transaction. Buon viaggio!
Thank you! I left out the insurance part for two reasons: I don't have any experience with rental car insurance (none recent) and the policy greatly depends on many factors. It depends on the car, the person, the length of rental, and probably other factors that I am not aware of. I agree though, I'd want walk away insurance too and in essence I believe this is full coverage insurance.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly If you rent a car in Italy, there are usually three options under "what's covered" and "what's not" in the quote from the company which. Unless you know for absolute sure (and i do mean absolutely sure) that your personal insurance from home will cover this rental completely you have to pick one of the three options. Always pick the one with no deductible that covers everything. It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. In multiple trips to Italia we have had no problems except for just that once. 😊 We picked up our car at FCO and headed to Toscana. An hour north of Roma and, Mamma Mia, someone clipped our front end and made the car un-drivable. We called the Europcar office at the airport, our go to car rental agency, they had the car towed and we took the train back to FCO. When we arrived at Europcar, they asked us if anyone was hurt, told us it could happen to anyone, gave us the keys to our new car, and off we went. Quick and easy, no harm no foul. By the way, if you rent your car at FCO to head off to rural Toscana, you drive about a quarter of a mile and turn left for Toscana and you don't even touch the outer ring of Roma and avoid all the traffic.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IN ITALY BUT I HAVE HEARD ALL ABOUT THE WILD DRIVING OVER THERE JUST LIKE MY COUNTRY OF BIRTH (PANAMA) BACK IN THE DAYS, THE STOP SIGN WAS A JOKE, IT WAS LIKE WHOEVER HONKS ON THE HORN FIRST GOES FIRST, SAME THING WITH RED LIGHTS, THAT WAS BACK IN THE DAYS
I'm going to be renting a car while on holiday in Italy, this month. Driving from Pisa to South of Naples. I'm from the UK, sp also going to have to learn to drive on the wrong side of the road - wish me luck!
Hats off to you! I have spent a considerable amount of time in the UK in my life, but I never got the opportunity to drive there. One day I’d like to try it, and I think in the beginning I would freak out.!
Im also from uk originally from Nepal where people drive worstly but have been hesitant to drive italy as its the opposite lanes..if not then would definitely have tried as i dont mind stupid drivers😂😂..please share me ur experience driving opposite lanes.
I lived in the UK for one year and I used to work every summer but unfortunately I never got the chance to drive there. I’m sure the beginning it would’ve been difficult, but then I would have got used to it.
I was in Rome and they are really aggressive drivers and I am from NYC were drivers don't give a dam, but at least respect the traffic rules...I would never drive in there
@@DavidsDoseofItaly yes sir we were supposed to get rental car yesterday but we couldn’t because we apparently needed a physical international drivers license (not just the electronic one) for the rental car company we chose. Luckily another company didn’t care if we had one or not so we got it today and I am driving on a Sunday to start out which is nice.
Thanks for the great advice, David. Do you know if you rent a car fairly easily in Siena? Thinking of taking a train from Florence to Siena and then check out a few small hill towns. Presume it will be a lot less hectic in the countryside. Thank you!
Hi Terry, I think so. I found Enterprise rental in Viale Europa in Siena. I'd go with and yes that'll be much easier to see the small towns. It'll be calmer but Italian drivers can be impatient everywhere.
I was wondering if it would be similar? I drive in Guadalajara all the time and we are planning a trip this December landing Rome and spending a week in Todi and a week in Pisa, I was considering renting a car at airport. If it’s like Mexico, then we should be good 😂
Update- I’ve driven in Bari, Ostuni, Otranto and Lecce as far as larger cities go. Ostuni was hard… in the USA, the drivers would be considered bad, dangerous and highly obnoxious. I only mention this so you are prepared for the shock! Conversely, if these Italian drivers drove this way in the USA, they would not make it far. Traffic police would pull them over 75 times a day lol. It sounds like Im picking on Italians and maybe a little :) but I get it’s just the culture here and status quo… but by describing as I have, American drivers might drive safer and blend in better. This part I mean very seriously. If Italians drive this way in rural America, they could be chased and their ‘attitude’ adjusted. Id suggest Italian drivers be overly nice and courteous compared to what they are used to accept in big cities… Ive had some things happen here in Italy that I’d have followed and confronted folks in the USA and I’m on the timid side of rural American males. Again… i love Italy and Italians but wow… drivers in Italy are interesting lol
Exactly. They would meet hostility in the US. I give a lot of them a pass because they don’t know any other way. They copy each other. Monkey see monkey do however certain selfish obnoxious ways of driving I don’t put up with. In particular drivers who do certain maneuvers because they are impatient. Sorry I’m not helping them.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I want to reiterate that I’m only saying it all so Americans ‘really’ know what they are in for… that said, I was on a 2 lane road with a 2’ drop off after a 1’ shoulder and a fellow in oncoming traffic had to be doing 120kph in a 50kph zone attempted to pass and nearly died. Props to him for making an impossible recovery! This behavior is not a one-off… it’s very common. I’d bet he nearly totaled his car because I think he bent his frame while saving his life. Seeing the car he grazed drive slowly holding his 2 meter bumper guard out his window was pricesless
Thanks for the excellent video David! I will be traveling Italy with my wife for the first time in April. We are staying mostly in Rome but will stay in Priano, Amalfi coast for three nights. Would you recommend renting a car from Rome or going buy train/bus? We don’t really plan on driving around much in Amalfi, so just need to get there. I’ve never driven in Italy but I’m used to NYC traffic and have plenty of international driving experience as well. Also, can you recommend reliable car rental companies in Rome?
Hey! Thank you! Hhmmm, well it depends on whether you like adventure! if you're willing to drive on difficult twisty turny roads and put up with aggressive drivers who will surpass you in tiny space then driving will save you a lot of time. The hard part is the amalfi coast. If you do decide to drive I strongly recommend a good navigator on your phone. Also, you may not have internet on the amalfi coast in some areas. So map out the road before you go and visually see where they sharp turns are! I do the same thing in Rome when I don't know the road.
Hi Brittnee. Oh sure. I think does really well, even in Rome with their at times bizarre road system. If you're unsure do what I did in the video and just literally trace the route every step of the way. In Rome for example there are turns that are easy to miss if you don't know where they are.
I have family in Monte di Procida so no issues getting around, but I’m going to Catania in august and rented a car to drive from the airport to Taormina, then spend a day in Francavilla(moms hometown), then back to Catania. I’m pretty nervous about it. I refuse to drive in Monti di Procida (dads hometown), they’re nutz.
They are indeed nuts! But it's a controlled nuts. Even here in Rome, they tend to drive like they're drunk but they're skilled drivers (most of them). Most Italian drivers tend to drive in a way that suits their own interests and they have a habit of insisting. I think I mentioned it in this video, but they have a tendency to gradually turn left to the point where they place themselves in the middle of the intersection and therefore oncoming traffic is literally forced to stop and let them in. I hate that and I try to avoid doing it. Anyway, just be cautious and alert. This is the key to Italian driving.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I can drive in New York City with no issues. Thank you for the advice. I’ll be in Rome for a night august 19th. Spending 1 night so we can eat at some restaurant we ate at back in 2019 on Governo Vecchio (I think) were everyone could sign the walls. It was fantastic. Hopefully it’s still there. Giuseppe Coppola
For someone who has lived and worked in Italy I like your recommendations about not renting a car if your visiting just the major cities. Most gas stations in Italy are now self serve,(fai da te) you’ll pay extra if they pump your gas. One thing you failed to mention. GPS!
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Pumping you’re gas ( fai da te) is relatively new in Italy. If you want the gas station attendant to pump your gas you pay extra per liter. Much like many places in the U.S.
Hi , Im planning on coming from Rome to Amalfi coast, so ill need a car in Rome and to travel but not necessarily in Amalfi, would you recommend getting a hire car "picked up" in Rome and then "Dropped off" at naples or sorrento? Im asking cause from that point I was considering hiring out a scooter/Vespa and what do people do when hiring scooters ? Base themselves in one location close by whilst visiting? my other idea was to stay outside all the main areas and bike in and out of the main locations likes Positano
Hi Phillip. In all honesty, I wouldnt rent a car if your objective is to go just from the airport here in Rome and then arrive in Naples. I'd take the train because, it may not be the most convenient, it is the cheapest. When you rent a car you have the cost of the car rental, gas, and some toll both costs. However, having your own car does give you a sense of autonomy and freedom. It depends on what you most want. Renting a scooter is a great way to see the Amalfi coast and you can access tight roads and areas that a car can't. Sure, I'm all for it even though I've never driven a scooter in my life! If you want to base yourself in one area and then go see the Amalfi coast by day, you could base yourself in Amalfi or even Positano since those are the 2 main towns along the Amalfi coast. You could also consider Salerno ( I lived there for 3 years) because you can reach the amafl coast by bus or by boat. Let me know what you decide! Buon Viaggio!
Yeah that’s true I could have mentioned it. I love manual driving and I taught myself how to do it in America. Although an automatic transmission is better for city driving
Just got a ticket in the mail for stopping a few meters past the WHITE line at an intersection without traffic light in Santa Marinella. I am an old Italy hand and know it all: Autovelox, Tutor, ZTL, Photored. But this? What the heck? Many US tourists ignore those rental car tickets. I decided to pay these 50 euros. But how? No website where you can pay by credit card. You have to send an international wire, which costs another 40 bucks. And who knows whether this payment will be credited properly.
Ehhh that’s a blatant attempt to get cash out of you. I’m not saying don’t pay it , however I don’t think the Italian government will go after you for 50 euros.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Forgot to mention that I am also familiar with bus and taxi lanes. I thought I had it covered, knowing what to watch for🙂 Until Santa Marinella in 2021. But my worst experience was with ZTL in Rome about 15 years ago. Before then, there were real police manning those ZTLs, and I could speak to them (a foreigner looking for his hotel inside ZTL). Until 2007. No police, just cameras. I entered and exited ZTL 7 times. Got 7 "administrative fees" at 35 euros each from rental car company. Credit card took their side. And at $1.60 to euro at the time, it really hurt! But the funny part is that I NEVER got THE ACTUAL ZTL ticket.
Pro tips for driving in Italy. 1. Never put your phone down. And remember, texting while driving is a skill that needs to be practiced. 2. Drive as fast and reckless as possible. When you see pedestrians or bicyclists on the road, don’t slow down. Try to see how dangerously close you can get without hitting them. Especially at crosswalks. The same rule applies to driving near motorcyclists on the autostrada. 3. When entering a roadway or intersection, never look in the direction of the oncoming traffic. Only look in the direction that you want to drive. If there’s traffic, block the oncoming cars and wait until there is an opening in the lane you need. And of course, never use your indicators. 4. Ignore all speed limits and stop signs. When at a traffic light, honk your horn as soon as the light turns green. Don’t be shy, horns are made for honking. 5. Parking. Make sure that when double parking you block as much traffic as possible. 6. If the car or motorcyclist in front of you is not going as fast as you want, be sure to tailgate at least a half meter from their bumper. Don’t forget to dangerously pass whenever possible, even on blind corners.
great video! I have a question... We are spending a few days in Rome... depending on Public transportation while we are there....but then my wife and I hope to rent a car and drive up to Florence, spend 3 days and then drive on to Milan for 3 days. Our hotels are in the cities... how does one park their rental car in the city? I've heard parking in cities is impossible, I am not a resident of the city and not even sure if there is parking near our hotel.... is it too much trouble to do this and would you just recommend travel by train? We really wanted to see some country side and sight see and try some small town restaurants.
Hey Michael. Great question and not so easy an answer. Parking in Italian cities is difficult but not impossible. If you decide to rent a car and try parking it in the cities 1. learn how to parallel park which will come in super handy. 2. Be prepared to circle the same block a few times while looking for parking spots (parking spots are available just not often close to where you need to be) 3. Ask the hotel what they recommend and if they have a deal with the city which would would give you a discount on parking. if you're just gonna see the big cities you really don't need a car. if however small towns are on your list then see what the bus services are to those areas. For example I took a bus from Florence to Siena and San Gimignano.
Word of advice: NEVER take the trains. A train we took from Bologna to Naples kept being delayed (we booked first class) after we boarded and a 2.5 hour trip ended up taking 6 hours and we were stranded when we missed our flight back to the US.
do you recommend renting a car to go from bergamo to lake como? specifically bellagio? I saw that there is public transport, but limited hours and very busy in the summer
Great video. I am looking to take a train from Rome to Napoli and then rent a car to drive to Positano and Amalfi just for a day trip. Is this feasible? Any suggestions?
Hi! Thank you for the feedback. I am not quite sure what you want to do. Are you looking to end your day in Napoli or Rome? In any event, I don't think you'll be able to fit everything all into one day especially if you want to be back in Rome at the end of your day. You'll find that once you reach the Amalfi coast you'll want to dedicate some time to look around, explore, shop etc. In essence you want to avoid hectic rhythms as much as possible in Italy and allow yourself time to enjoy what's around you. You also may find it a bit of a stressful drive to go from Naples to Positano by car, although I've never driven that route so I can't say 100% what it would be like, but I have an idea. Now, if your goal is to have a car to be able to go around the Amalfi coast then you'll most likely have to rent your car in Naples or somewhere near there because I don't see any car rental places in the town of Positano and Amalfi. I have seen rental places for scooters however, and this is a popular way to get around the Amalfi coast. Alternatively you could take the bus to get around the Amalfi coast (the name of the company is Sita) and let the bus driver handle the hectic twists and turns! If that works for you then take the boat from Naples to Positano or Amalfi (they all leave from Molo Beverello) and then take the bus to get around. This however may not be convenient with all your luggage. Lastly, I lived in Salerno for 3 years and I rented cars there as well as frequently took the bus to go to the Amalfi coast.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly thanks. My goal is to arrive Naples at 10:30 then get a rental car and head to Positano and maybe Amalfi depending on time. Drive back to Naples to drop off the rental and be on a train at 7:40p to head back to Roma. Does that seem doable? Also, will it be easy to find a good parking spot in Positano to leave the car and explore the town on foot? Thanks again.
@@r-ink605 You might be able to pull that off but I still wouldn't. I say that because just by looking at it and thinking of what I know about the Naples area, it seems like too much. You could easily come across a lot of traffic or a train which is delayed or perhaps even cancelled. Granted these are worst case scenarios but I prefer to plan carefully when it comes to Italy. You are most likely going to be spending most of your time traveling and potentially not seeing much in Positano and Amalfi. But give it a shot and see what happens. Parking ?! That’s a total crap shoot in most parts of Italy 🙃🙃😆 Good luck
Ok thank you for your video but I wanna go to lake como for first time what should I do go by taxi or train ?! And don’t forget I have 2 luggage. Thank you
I’ve never been there however it’s not incredibly difficult to bring two pieces of luggage on a train. Although if you’re not on a tight budget and want to convenience pay for a taxi.
Oh nice. I’ve never been there 😭. Yeah. I’m away for the weekend and the rental prices were crazy here too. Word of advice however. Check very carefully that public transportation arrives at the places where you want to go.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly thank you! I am using the official sudtirol transit app for public buses, and yeah the station names get confusing cuz both the italian and german names are there 😂
@@DavidsDoseofItaly My observance was from my Italian wife as she was born and grew up in Italy. Everybody jumped on the poor Vespa to go to town. Like a three ringed circus.
if we are heading to Milan, Florence,Sienna & Almafi which one would recommend driving? in Almafi I know parking can be hard, will be there 3rd week of Apr and wanted to try the convertible(open roof) car at least is that super bad idea?
Hi Cindy. I have been to all those places and I went there before I got a car. Driving Amalfi coast is difficult if you’re not used to tight driving. The only advantage to having a car is that you are more autonomous and you can see a lot more. However parking in Italy can be extremely difficult. It’s your call
You said that you are comparing Italian driving to New England in the US. My question is: are Italians worse than Boston drivers? More aggressive or less predictable? Thanks! P.S. I'll be driving on Sardinia, so thankfully not Rome, but we'll see. Thanks for the tips.
I think that is a fair comparison. I haven’t lived in New England for 13 years but I do remember the reputation that Bostonians have. I always thought though that for as reckless as they seem they were rather skilled and I would describe Italian drivers that way. Granted there are always exceptions of course
@@DavidsDoseofItaly, ok, that makes me feel a bit better! I've dealt with my fair share of Mass drivers, so hopefully that all was good prep for Italian driving. I know that driving in big cities in the US seems to make people crazier, so I'm hoping that like in the US, it won't be as crazy in the countryside.
@@Stitching_Sassenach Since I’m from Connecticut I always observed a distinct difference between Massachusetts drivers and the ones from my state. I think I’ll take my chances with the ones from Massachusetts
@@DavidsDoseofItaly, I'm originally from CT too! I grew up in West Hartford, but moved after college. Of course, we drive too fast in CT. We're a bit crazy too. I hope all these crazy New Englanders prepped me for driving in Italy soon!
Omg, hell no I wouldn’t get a car in Italy 🇮🇹, is just like Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 rude and reckless. Question, so you just get a permit? Not a driver’s license? And how long is it? Or when expires? Thanks Daaaaavid ✌️✌️
Unfortunately you need to take the test and get your Italian license. US licenses can’t be converted here. Until then get an international one from AAA
Got it. Here in Italy they're like the US in that various things count as ID. The most common one is the Italian ID card. But you can easily use your passport as ID, even your US license in theory but I think the Italian authorities understand passports better.
We are thinking of renting a car to take the Adriatic coast south and stick to mostly small roads and small towns. I think we will end in Matera. This will be our third stay in Italy and have rented vespas(did not enjoy that!)
If you're looking for adventure, you got it! Just be careful on those small Southern Italian roads as many of them haven't been paved in years and you don't want to risk getting a flat or having your car break down in the middle of nowhere. For as much as I love exploring I've seen some scary roads in Italy and if you have a problem it's not as simple as calling AAA and they come tow you. However I don't want to make these horrible predictions before you've actually made the trip. Just be prepared as much as possible and if you can, map out the roads you want to take ahead of time. I know that somewhat defeats the purpose of exploring but a little preparation in Italy goes a long way. Buon viaggio!
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I'm in construction and drive some scary roads into new jobs... nails and debris everywhere... not much can scare me that way lol. But thanks for the heads up. We are FINALLY coming back to our hearts home, Italy this fall(2022) and wish we could live there. But a month a year for now is what we can do. Thanks again for all the Italy help!!!
Ciao David, vivo in Olanda e sono terrorizzato dall'idea di guidare a Roma. Le strane sono larghe e non ci sono strisce per terra a marcare le corsie. Come si fa ad affrontare una svolta o una rotonda tipo Piazza Venezia che e' enorme? Si viaggia in quante corsie li?
Ciao! Guarda anch'io all'inizio mi faceva paura l'idea di guidare qui. A tutt'oggi ci sono momenti in cui sono nervoso ma niente rispetto all'inizio. Il fatto che c'è una mancanza di corsie delineate per terra mi irrita tanto e ho il dubbio che il comune di Roma usi una vernice molto scadente che si consuma troppo facilmente. Ma, anche quando c'è, i romani fanno fatica a rispettare le corsie. Molte volte quando sono in una rotatoria e miracolosamente ci sono le corsie, mi allontano dalla macchina piu avanti nella corsia accanto alla mia perchè troppe volte succede che man mano invade la mia e manco mette la freccia! Non so se mi sono spiegato! Io evito Piazza Venezia e prendo altre strade per arrivare a Termini per esempio. Il trucco sta nel fare attenzione e anticipare la mossa dell'altro prima che lo faccia, è un po come giocare a scacchi.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Tieniti sulla destra e vedi che nessuno ti rompe le palle. Se vedi una macchina sulla tua stessa corsia, ti sposti. O, più semplicemente, NON PASSI DA PIAZZA VENEZIA. E' una ZTL, non voglio immaginare le multe che i pizzardoni ti avranno mandato... ;)
@@gabem.5242 Io rimango nella corsia di destra quando è possibile. Una cosa che non tollero è quando sono in una via stretta in cui le persone potrebbero attraversare la strada nel modo poco attento e spericolato e dietro di me ce ne uno che non si leva. In quel caso lo lascio suonare il clacson e arrabbiarsi. Che me ne frega?! Ho preso in totale 3 multe qui a Roma. Una mentre andavo a Termini e per arrivarci ero passato da Piazza Venezia. Mai più! Per il resto, non porto la macchina nella zona di Piazza Venezia, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, perchè il parcheggio è inesistente e poi ci sono queste benedette multe da pagare.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly In pratica passi nella ZTL del Centro Storico e poi ti lamenti delle multe e delle vie strette. Sei davvero fenomenale, David! :) Un consiglio, prima di girare per Roma, controlla sul sito del Comune le varie ZTL dove si estendono: i varchi (specialmente quelli del centro storico e del Quirinale) sono SEMPRE attivi, anche se lo schermo segnala diversamente o è rotto.
I have never rented a car in Italy and I'd be afraid to. I think I am missing out though because it would be nice to explore the countryside fully in Tuscany and Umbria, plus I'd love to go to the spa in Fiuggi, Lazio.
Really good video with helpful advice. The parking in Italy never fails to amuse. I have however, ridden on the back of motorini, and motocicli in Roma and I wasn't scared. It was exhilarating☆
Yeah, for the smaller towns you could consider a car and see more of the country on your own terms. I can relate as I remember whizzing down the streets of Napoli on a scooter! Terrifying at first though.
We rented a car and went to Fiuggi and loved it. We also went to caramanico terme for Sulphur therapy (gets rid of sinus issues and arthrities) and chianciano terme for liver detox...... worth getting a car for it. I know a 92 year old self-sufficient lady that did the terme every year.
Bus service is great in Umbria - even to the small borgos. No car is needed.
Tuscany is larger and many of the routes do not connect to train stations. A car may be needed.
On Google maps click on the transit option icon and tap the blue symbol to see the route and time schedule.
That’s good to know about the Umbria bus service. Thank you!
I'm also a truck driver do that gives a great advantage, but I'll be purchasing a 4 day rail pass from EuroRail
2cent from italian prospective
1)Driving in places like Rome,Naples is asking for trouble: traffic congestion , undisciplined drivers ,lack of parking.
2) Do not drive with your purse on the passenger seat and the window open to avoid theft .
3) Do not park your car with valuable stuff inside above all if it's clearly visibile .
Giusto ! Common sense really.
It depends where you drive in Rome. I avoid areas near piazza Venezia like a plague and I still try and map out my journies.
Been in Rome 3 times .
Only once got there by car....parked my car in a garage for my stay and never thought of driving
@federicocatelli8785 well if it’s just for tourism you really don’t need one. Living here eventually you may crack down and get one
@@DavidsDoseofItaly
Nice for holiday, awful to live and work imho
One of my favorite driving experiences of my life was driving a small Fiat thru the country side of Tuscany on our first trip to Italy . I loved it. I was nervous before we went and even thought of changing our plans to doing a tour so I wouldn't drive, but my wife insisted that we did an independent style vacation. That woman is a genius. We landed in Rome and picked our car up at the airport, the whole time I was nervous, then when we were in the car and turned on the GPS and just followed directions out it was fine. Sure we got a little lost, missed an exit or two and had an epic time at the first toll booth we came across. Like you said, a million stories to tell our friends. I did park in the wrong place when we went to Pisa and did receive a ticket several months later in the mail. Knowing I would go back to Italy we paid it.
So we returned to Italy earlier this Summer with some family in tow, so we needed a bigger car. We rented a full size Sedan that was unfortunately automatic. And Full size. Still enjoyed the country side but not as much because the roads are so narrow that I was in constant stress of damaging the car and as bad as parking can be, it's that much worse in a big car. The upside on this trip is no Tickets. Yea! And learned how to get through those darn Tolls. Loved driving in Italy, but will not drive in Big towns or Cities. No driving in Florence, or Rome for me. And if you are someone looking just to go from one big city to another such as Rome to Florence, don't forget the high speed rail because, Awesome also.
Hi. Interesting story 😀. What mishap did you have at the toll booths? I was at one a few days ago and it makes me laugh how unprepared people are. Like they had no idea they were traveling!
I take it you were hoping for a manual transmission, how come ?
Yeah driving really isn’t too too complicated here. You just need to understand a few road signs which are different here than in North America and you also just need to be alert.
Agreed. Take a train between big cities. Although I do love the autonomy you have with a car.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Oh that toll booth. It was actually an automated booth as you get onto the autostrada as I recall and of course all the instructions were in Italian, which I could not read. For some reason we were confused and thought we had to pay to get on the autostrada so I was trying to put cash and then credit card into the ticket dispenser. I’m my defense I was properly embarrassed when we realized it was a ticket dispenser and not a money taker.
I did want a manual car as most of our driving was going to be in the country and our last trip we had a manual, which had been fun to drive. However with this trip and such a large car I’m glad it was auto as we drove into La Spezia several times in order to get the train to Cinque Terra. Traffic was crazy.
Glad I found your channel, liking your content.
I can understand that confusion. The simplest things can be confusing if we're not used to them. What makes sense to the host country is confusing to the foreigner.
Tbh i’d also not worry abt driving the car anywhere as im from Asia😂😂but the problem is ive never driven on right lanes so will definitely be confused and dont wanna crash on my first holiday🤣🤣
Planning to rent a car in Italy in February, this tip will come in handy.
Awesome! Buon viaggio!
Thank you very much! I bought my plane ticket and rented a car already... glad I bothered to watch this video before I leave lol. You do a great job presenting everything!
Thank you. It is was a great help David. For a few weeks I was thinking that I will need to drive into the center of Milan due to time constraints on our trip but now I am convinced it is better to park and ride as in park near an outer suburb metro and catch public transport.
Picking up the rental car tomorrow and driving from Bolzano to Gudan/Chiusa area. Its a manual and slightly nervous but excited too. Your video was very helpful
Hey Ryan! Jealous ! You’ll do fine and have a great time
Thanks for your detailed descriptions. I love learning the phrases at the end, too.
I appreciate it!! I should really include those again, but it depends on the types of videos I make.
Hahha mannnnn, I've been living in Rome for a couple years now and driving for a year. There's never a dull moment - You gotta keep your head on a swivel over here. The other day while going through a four-way intersection I was almost tboned from the driver's side and in that moment, I had no idea who was at fault. Well, now I do thanks to your video. Haha. Ogni giorno rompono le mie scatole.
Ci hann rutt o cazz as they say in Napoli!
No no , I can assure you that you weren’t at fault. The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago; a distracted older driver who was probably too focused on talking to his wife. Then he had the nerve to tell me “calma”. Sure anything to take the focus off himself.
Super glad my videos help! Glad also to hear of others who are surviving Rome driving !
Rented a car in Italy 3 times. Just fine. Obviously don't drive in Rome or any other big city but the countryside is easy.WAZE worked just great. Also let tailgaters pass you. Also avoid areas that require resident permits. Park outside of town (like Siena) and be prepared to walk to the city center. Driving in Italy was fantastic.
Great advice. I try not to get worked up over tailgaters. They do it out of habit and if they get pissed off, let em.
Good 👍!
Really appreciate this video! I'm renting a car in Sicily and will be using these tips.
Happy to help. Watch out for the speed camera on the Sicilian highways
Grazie mille, David!! I'm traveling to Italy next month, and we're renting a car sp this video answers a lot of the questions I had!
Hey ! Glad to help ! Where are you traveling?
@@DavidsDoseofItaly We'll be picking up our rental car in Florence and then driving around Tuscany for a week before dropping off the car in Rome. Our time driving in Rome will be limited to the dropoff so here's hoping it won't be too bad! 🤞🏻
You’ll be fine but it’s never a bad idea to study the road before you arrive in Rome. Not all Roman drivers are aggressive. Be prepared for people who change lanes without using a turn signal and the one thing that gets my nerves are people who don’t respect the lanes. What I mean is the guy in the lane to your left will slowly start drifting into your lane or maybe just one tire will be in your lane. That’s irritating because you don’t know if they want to stay in their lane or come into your lane. You’ll see what I mean! The key to driving in Rome is simply be alert and try to anticipate what the people around you are going to do
@@DavidsDoseofItaly It's been nearly a year, but I just wanted to follow up here and let you know that we made it through Italy in our little Volkswagen Polo safe and sound with no difficulty at all! Thanks so much again for all your pointers!
thanks for clearing up what side of the road they drive on. would've been lost without you
May I ask why you posted this comment ?
Spot on. Your experience is the same as mine in Veneto.
Thank you! How would you describe those drivers?
Lol they dont respect the rules and love honking, I am not surprised 😂 great video!
digital cassette We should compare Rome and Montreal!
Helpful tips and I appreciate the vocabulary lessons. I am going to rent car when I am on Sardegna but I will be in Rome for one day....Is Uber prevalent in Rome?
Thank you! To this day, I still don’t understand if Uber is used in Italy, because there was a lot of controversy between them and the taxi unions. Let’s just say they are not prevalent here in Italy but try anyway.
I lived in Italy for approximately 4 years. I drove a Camry. Yes the street are smaller but I never had an issue. You have to be alert. Do not forget to get insurance. It will be cheaper if you get it before you leave your country.
3Let me tell you, I was more afraid driving in Atlanta, Georgia than Italy. 🤣
Alert is the key word. Why were you more afraid of driving in Georgia than Italy?
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Atlanta is notoriously extremely congested and the drivers often drive really fast even though everybody is nose to tail in all the lanes, and so driving is extremely difficult in a way that it might not be in other parts. Atlanta also has the peculiarity of hosting both aggressive urban drivers and those who grew up in a less congested, perhaps more rural setting, and those who grew up inside the South and those who didn't, and all of them have different ideas of appropriate speed and levels of aggression, and this produces highly inconsistent driver behavior.
@@unconventionalideas5683 @Unconventional Ideas That sounds very much like Rome. We too are a conglomerate of people transplanted from different areas of Italy and other parts of the world. I definitely see different driving styles there.
Great tip on the driving permit! 👍🏻
Thanks for doing this video! You mentioned things I hadn't considered at all. I've changed my mind about driving in Italy on a first-time upcoming trip coming. It just seems too complicated. So, perhaps I'll do it another time... or not at all. Thanks, again!
To rent a car or not is purely subjective. It depends where you want to go and what you want to do. I would say though that it if you just want to see the big cities then yes I would not recommend a car.
Same here..was thinking abt renting as we’re going on 21st of july..as a driver of uk i dont think i can drive there😂😂never have the idea of driving on the right hand side as well..and i need some foot exercise😂
Hello. I came across this video looking for tips for driving in Italy. We rented a car for 4 days to go outside city and go more countryside and it’s been an adventure. I’ve only just been driving in between Milan and Verona. Trying to find only blue zones to park, it seems people go 20-40+ over posted speed limit on major highways. Fuel here because it’s by liter so comparing to US ends up being about $7/gal. The people not knowing which lane they want to be in. The amount of roundabouts and doesn’t seem like there is a system and people go where they want and then switch lanes. Seems like there is always tolls if you want to drive on major highways and it’s just a thing they do here.
Thanks for video
Hi. You have pretty much captured the essence of driving in this country. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. One important thing to remember is that when they are speeding by you in all directions it doesn’t mean that you need to copy this way of driving Let them get irritated and let them honk
Nice video. Very honest. i got my driver license (car & motorbike) in rome. Even if i dont live there anymore, but in a small town, where people drive very slow, i still have an aggressive driving attitude. Rome its not car friendly, much better scooters or bikes. I used a bicycle for more than one year, but it's ok only if u dont live on the hills, but definitely a option, and roman usually feels you like a treat and stay away.
Obviously have to pay attention (with bicycle) to wet sanpietrino, birds shi* or deadly wet bird shi* (via delle milizie), and tram trails. Using bicycle u became really creative, lots of time in summer i go back to home passing through villa borghese park.
Go to parco degli acquedotti with bike, or the caffarella too, or close to you, villa pamphili, even if the gianicolo's hill could be challenging.
It's a change of perspective, u can go everywhere, silently, and fast.
Honestly I really don’t think Rome is a great city for bike riding especially when they’re in the middle of traffic. Some parts are fine whereas some are a nightmare. Viale Marconi comes to mind.
I had a bike in Salerno and it was much more comfy riding it there.
In May, we will be renting in Florence and dropping off in Orvieto. Thanks for the video.
Have you already made the reservation ? In Italy you might be able to pick it up in one city and drop it off in another. Let me know !
Florence is a bit more civil than Rome and Orvieto from what I remember is a charming little town. You’ll certainly have a nice scenic drive between both cities !
First time I went to Italy I flew into Florence and then rented a car when it was time to leave Florence so I could have some freedom driving to quite a few other places. The ZTLs were stressful but otherwise I enjoyed driving in Italy, especially the autostrada where they actually obey the rules about fast cars in the left lane, unlike here in the US. This is, however, coming from someone that loves to drive and lives in a large city. Any time I was in a larger city I left the car behind. Also, you MUST be able to drive a manual transmission. I've heard Southern Italy is tougher to drive in than Northern, so that may be a whole new ball game. Great video, by the way!
Oh yes, the ZTLs in Rome. The obvious money grab attempt by the city. You know I never thought about it but you’re right in that Italians do in fact respect the fast line unlike the USA. Also, if you’re in the middle lane, they don’t tailgate you and expect you to move out of their way on a three lane highway.
Manual transmission is still the preferred one here but it is changing. My car for example is not manual even though I prefer driving stick. Long story! Although for driving in a city like Rome, it is handy.
Bad drivers do exist all over this country but I would say things are a bit more wild down south. In fact that is a channel here on YT called Bad drivers of Italy! Imagine that, a whole channel dedicated to this idea!
Glad you liked the video, do check out the other videos in the playlist if you want a chuckle!
@@DavidsDoseofItaly this year he made the "moviola" when some clips on Thursday selected by us (viewers) will be analyzed on the second channel Dashcam e Sicurezza
Ah ok! I’ve always wondered how he gets all his video clips! I didn’t think he spent his whole day traveling to random Italian cities and with his dashboard camera always on hoping to see accidents.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly hai capito male il commento, magari all'inizio c'erano più video dove il proprietario del canale era alla guida, ma ultimamente siamo noi a mandarli (nota in alto a sinistra c'è il nickname del guidatore e il luogo) e li analizza per vedere se è una clip che può pubblicare e oscurare le targhe. I video li pubblica il giovedì, noi li guardiamo perché si può sempre imparare come ci si comporta in quelle situazioni. Adesso se abbiamo dei dubbi chiediamo spiegazioni e il lunedì sul suo secondo canale si analizza alcune clip selezionate mettendo a confronto con il Codice della Strada, in più ci sono le "clip da cartellino rosso" scartate per la guida pericolosa del guidatore che ha mandato la clip e che riceve lo stesso tipo di analisi delle altre. Comunque si può vedere la differenza sulla guida di vari Stati anche tramite questi canali. Mi scuso per aver scritto in italiano, già ho problemi con la mia lingua nella scrittura, se avessi provato a scrivere in inglese non avresti capito molto per via di errori grammaticali
@@marco_grt4460 Ma non ti preoccupare! Sul mio canale sono permesse tutte e due le lingue e io cerco sempre di rispondere in un italiano decente. Comunque si, ci siamo capiti sia ora che anche prima. Non sapevo che quello di Bad drivers in Italy raccoglieva tutti i suoi clip dai suoi iscritti e non credevo che andasse in giro per tutta l'Italia a riprendere queste scene proprio nel momento giusto. Il segreto è stato svelato! Quasi quasi gli mando anch'io un clip visto che qua a Roma non mancano gli scemi al volante!
Going holiday on 21at july was thinking abt renting a car..my plan has changed🙏🏻🙏🏻thank you
It depends where you’re going.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly venice,rome,florence,milan😂😂definitely no for me
@@bikashgurung6574 yeah I wouldn’t bother to be honest. Take public transportation ESPECIALLY the high speed trains between Rome and Venice
@@DavidsDoseofItaly thank you mate..thats what im thinking
I frequently take trains throughout , Italy, and I really have had few problems. Just be aware of when there is a national strike. There was one a few days ago, and flights and trains were halted.
Excellent information and thank you so much! We will be renting a car from the Venice airport and driving to the Dolomites for two weeks this fall. Having a very difficult time sorting through car rental reviews and companies. If you or anyone reading have a good recommendation for a company to use please do share with us! Thank you
thank you! Well I had no issues with Locauto this past Xmas and I talk about in a recent video. It's not easy I know, but in the end it's always a bit of a gamble. Your best bet is to stick with the big names, like Avis, Herz, Enterprise. ruclips.net/video/inr_cO3vrZI/видео.html. best of luck and let me know how you make out.
Thks for these fantastic tips this MayTuscany Wedding from Florence!
May is a great month weather wise!
Thanks for watching!
Good stuff, David. Keep it up!!!
Thank you for making this video. Great tips! I can't wait to visit Italy one day, but will definitely leave the driving to my husband 😆. This will truly test his skills if not his patience (he drives for a living).
Hey Ker! thanks for taking the time to leave me the nice comment! Oh yes, his patience and skills will be put to the test. It's like swimming, just dive right in and be alert.
If he’s a professional driver it’s no problem, I drive a garbage truck downtown LA and sandiego. I love driving in Italy, just be alert and watch other drivers and be
All the other drivers are alert too so you actually get a good flow
If you loose gps , find a spot to pull over and recordinate.
Do not take your eyes of the road and you’ll be fine👍👍😎😎
I plan on renting a car in Florence and driving around the Tuscan countryside. My only worry is knowing where and when I'm allowed to drive around Florence since the city center is usually ZTL. The rental company is within these limits so I imagine that I'm already in the ZTL?
That is a great question. Assuming you haven’t done the rental yet I would ask the rental company that same question because it’s relevant. I would also do as much research as possible about the roads that you want to drive on to see if there are these obstacles
Do you tip the gas station attendants? What is expected there? Picking up a 1976 lancia fulvia soon and going to give it one last romp around Italy before shipping home!
I always do and they appreciate it.
Ciao my friend. Ty. Can’t wait to visit Italy. Will it be cold around September?
Hi Rommel. Absolutely not ! It’s still hot in September
I had a legit panic attack driving in Florence, going through ZTLs. Often by the time you see the ZTL sign it’s too late to turn around 😬 I’ll never rent a car in a major city in Italy again 😂
Surprise surprise! I have gotten one and possibly 2 fines for entering those areas here in Rome.
You have to be a good driver and be very relax at driving to drive in Naples for instance. My wife could not believe it... if you're more the nervous type, you're gonna be alright because they are good drivers but you're not gonna like the experience... Also, I felt like one of the biggest difference is passing. People pass on secondary road all the time. You stay on the right side of you lane and they'll use the left side of the lane to pass you ... often getting close to be three cars wide one on two lane facing each others... They'll just sneak in between.
Yup that sounds right
Thank you for your tips.I was driving in Italy for 8 days .driving from Milan downtown,in Ferenze downtown and rome .True drivers dont follow rules passing left and right esp motorcycles .Yes very aggressive drivers than floridian lol.
Glad to help. 😃
Oh yes passing on the right is common unfortunately
@@DavidsDoseofItaly 👍🏻
@@DavidsDoseofItaly glad driving in the Philippines helps a lot.
Thanks man! I'm about to be there in a few days, I'll be driving around. Watch out Italy... LA driver coming in...
Oh yeah ?? What’s an LA driver like ? 😀
@@DavidsDoseofItaly We the type that doesn't like to stop for the polizia! haha. thanks for the Video!
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Quick question, if I know Spanish, could I get by with just speaking that instead of English?
Yeah sure. Try it. Lots understand Spanish.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Bro! Thank you so much for your video. I just got back from my trip and driving in Italy was a cool experience. Nothing negative to say about it and your video helped me a ton! Thanks man! I also looked up traffic signs in Italy and that was enough for me to understand how to drive there. Thanks for your help!
You can also get your American drivers license officially translated into Italian and that works as well correct?
Hi Corinne. Unfortunately no. You need to get the AAA international license or just get your Italian one. There is no deal between the US and Italy so the licences can't be converted.
Hey David great video. I am going to be traveling by car from Rome to Naples next week! I will definitely be using this video as a study guide, wish me luck!!
Awesome! Best of luck and I hope my video helps I have little experience driving in Napoli but I think it’s similar to Rome and perhaps a bit more “saucy “ !
My experience is that no one pays attention to stop signs unless there is conflicting traffic. In Puglia, I found it strange that stop signs were often put at the entrance to round-abouts. This says to me that in practice, the stop sign is used more like a yield sign. Do obey stop lights however. There are few of them, but they are usually placed at blind corners and there is often a cop lurking close by.
I've never seen a stop sign at a rotary and I think it's somewhat redundant. Stop signs are definitely more of a yield sign here.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Maybe It's just Puglia, but they are the rule, not the exception.
Oh no I think this is something that you would find all over the south
they put stop signs because in italy a roundabout doesn't require you to stop or even give road. 99.9% of roundabouts in Italy have give road signs or very rarely a stop sign though, so nothing to worry about
It's a very informative video! Thank you! One question, though: Is it allowed to attach a camera to the front windshield in Italy? I want to drive around with a GoPro and capture landscapes.
Thank you 😊.
Use common sense but it should be ok.
The reason for my question is because it's not legally recognized in Japan. Thank you!
Interesting 🤔
Top info, Thank you, David
If you happen to drive here, you won't be bored!
Planning to rent a car in Puglia in June. Route will be Bari airport to Otranto/Salento region then to Matera and drop off back at Bari airport. Should I be scared? Driven in Greece but not Italy. I'm assuming because Puglia is fairly rural it will be fine? Thanks for your awesome videos!
Hi there. I wouldn’t be scared per se. I would just be cautious as you drive because it’s probably different than what you’re used to. If you’re going to be driving in rural areas, I suggest you studied the route carefully before you take it.
Also be aware that a lot of rural roads in Italy probably haven’t received any kind of maintenance in years so it might be a bit bumpy. Take it slow and steady and you’ll be fine.
I drove in Rome on weekend at about 10PM after soccer mach. It was a great fun. Everybody was out and walking or driving. My friend was shitting marbles and I was just honking and screaming ANDIAMO. This time i will visit with my wife Riviera and I hope it will be fun as well.
🤣🤣🤣 Yeah I remember the initial fear of driving in Rome. It never really goes away. Thanks for sharing.
Hi I’m from australia and going to Italy in 3 weeks
I’m hiring a car Bari, almafi coast, Rome, Florence, cinque terre & Venice it’s OnIy to get from hotel to hotel in each city and park in hotel each location . Think it’s about 2-3 days each location and while we are at each city we will take the metro
Buon viaggio! Think about doing some exploring with the car though
Hello, my friend. On February 1st, I will be coming to Italy with my wife. I have rented a car from Locauto. I will pick up the car from Rome Fiumicino Airport at 17:30. After that, I will head towards Venice. I found a small hotel in Venice. In the following days, I will visit Bologna, Florence, Pisa, and finally return to Rome. This trip will last approximately 6 days, and I plan to reach Rome early in the morning on the 4th day. Can you provide me with some information about the roads and things I should pay attention to? I am a bit confused about refueling. In my country, there are attendants at gas stations.And to be honest, I'm feeling a bit tense.My English is limited, and I will be traveling as a tourist who does not speak Italian.😅
Hey! I have just seen this message now so my apologies. For what it’s worth, I will answer your questions even though you probably already completed your trip. The best advice that I can give you is that Italians are proactive drivers and for North American standards they probably seem rather aggressive. As for the roads I would just simply pay attention to the white and blue arrows as they indicate the direction that you have to go to, especially when driving on tight streets. Full attention is key in this country when driving. Be very mindful when you see signs for speed cameras. In regards to refueling it’s really very easy. Whenever I have to refuel, I simply tell the man at the pump, and by the way full serve is very common in this country, “40 benzina”. It does help to learn to say the numbers in Italian, but that’s basically all I tell them. Also, if I have a good impression of the person I give them a euro tip. I hope this helps or at least for your next trip
the funny thing is that as a Roman all the things you have listed as "defects" I have always seen them as "strengths" or at least as a necessary basis to be able to drive in our streets
You know I've been driving here for 2 years and even though I don't agree with that style of driving I will admit that it does sharpen your senses. However I still do see some behaviors which for me are potential risks for us all. Can you please explain to me why so many motorists don't respect the lanes when they drive?
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I am an extremely calm person but when i drive it becomes impossible. If you respect all the rules, no one will allow you to pass, to enter in a side street and you will always arrive late
@@federicomontani2122 while I admit it’s impossible to follow all the rules I still do not tolerate driving which creates dangerous situations.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I think that's a Rome thing. Here in Torino if you straddle the lanes you may not _immediately_ get honked at but rest assured I and many others will be throwing a couple of _madonne_ your way within a couple seconds, because you're holding up people. The only time straddling lanes is acceptable is if you're doing it to squeeze an extra lane out of a wide road.
For example there's a couple intersections where there are 3 lanes painted, two to go straight and one to go left. But the left turn lane is much larger than the others, so people who want to turn left go as far left as possible and people who want to go straight squeeze inbetween them and the first straight-through lane, so an extra lane is gained.
There's one intersection that I can think of where there's only two painted lanes but they usually become 4.
Only on sharp bends you need to be on your toes, way too many people cut the corner and invade your lane without looking behind and it annoys me every time, even though I know it's coming.
Thanks great video. Sending love from 🇬🇧. Does it have a water boat from Rome to Venice? Or only train
Nope. Only train or bus.
Saluti da Roma.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly thanks
loved the video, thanks for the advice
Glad it was helpful! What did you find most useful?
Do the gas station pumps and highway toll booths take credit card? Or perhaps do the rental cars have transmitter boxes in them like in other countries, and the gates are automated and you’re billed through the rental agency?
Yeah you can pay by card at pumps. However always keep cash on hand just to be safe. I don’t think transmitter boxes are common in Italy in rental cars. During my last rental in Sicily I didn’t have one
Thanks for the tips! We are travelling to Munich this September and plan to rent a car and drive to Swiss, Italy, Austria and Czech before returning the car at Munich after 16 days. Are there any additional border crossings permits that we need to buy do you know…? Or is it not feasible way of road trip..? Thanks in advance!
We are staying a few days by the Vatican Museum, but we are then headed to Calabria so we definitely need a rental car.
My plan is to not rent a car until the night before we leave that part of Rome, and then leave the next morning super early (5AM) in order to hopefully make it out unscathed before traffic gets too crazy. Hope this works!🙏
Hi Did you end up renting a car?
You’ve got right when said it’s difficult find a parking. But it’s the same like in big usa cities whit the difference that in usa are more expensive!
Honestly, I never did much driving in the big cities in the United States
Hey David, amazing video thank you so much! Exactly what I was looking for. One question, I would like to travel across the country using a car, but dont really want to drive in the cities. Do you think its a practical plan to drive to just outside the city, and take public transportation/walk/scooter within the city? I would like to stay over nights in the country side, but still want the opportunity to visit the cities. Thank so much!!!
Hey Jessica!
Yeah that's a good plan. There are many great little towns which are only accessible by car so you'll be sure to see some unique places.
Yeah, driving in the city can be daunting if you're not used to it and the driving culture of that place. BUT if you try driving here and consider that I see few accidents here (I saw a lot more in the USA) it would be a personal victory to say I drove in an Italian city! However, yeah you can get around Italian cities using public transportation. Use the metro here in Rome if you can.
thanks for the tips
Thanks again David. My next visit to Italy will require a car rental. I didn’t know that I need a intl driving permit till I saw this video. I lived on Long Island and worked in the city. I’m use to driving there. My nerves are going to be shot by the time I get to Sorrento. After the holidays, I should have my Italian citizenship confirmed and want to spend some time in Rome. What are the requirements for obtaining a driver license there?
Well I always suggest getting one. I’ve been stopped 5 times by the carabinieri and I always showed it to them. You get it at AAA In the States. 20-30$
Another great video but you left out the topic of insurance on your rental car. Always read the fine print of what is and is not covered and get what I like to call, "walk away insurance", which means if you total the car, your car gets stolen, or any other major catastrophe, you call the rental agency and
and walk away. Deductables in Italy are way higher than in America and can run into thousands of dollars. Read the fine print when you book, preferably in advance when you book online and can read the fine print in English. Also, if you get a ticket from a roadway radar camera and it gets sent to the rental agency, you will be charged a fee for the amount of the fine plus a fee for the rental agency handling the transaction. Buon viaggio!
Thank you! I left out the insurance part for two reasons: I don't have any experience with rental car insurance (none recent) and the policy greatly depends on many factors. It depends on the car, the person, the length of rental, and probably other factors that I am not aware of. I agree though, I'd want walk away insurance too and in essence I believe this is full coverage insurance.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly If you rent a car in Italy, there are usually three options under "what's covered" and "what's not" in the quote from the company which. Unless you know for absolute sure (and i do mean absolutely sure) that your personal insurance from home will cover this rental completely you have to pick one of the three options. Always pick the one with no deductible that covers everything. It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. In multiple trips to Italia we have had no problems except for just that once. 😊 We picked up our car at FCO and headed to Toscana. An hour north of Roma and, Mamma Mia, someone clipped our front end and made the car un-drivable. We called the Europcar office at the airport, our go to car rental agency, they had the car towed and we took the train back to FCO. When we arrived at Europcar, they asked us if anyone was hurt, told us it could happen to anyone, gave us the keys to our new car, and off we went. Quick and easy, no harm no foul.
By the way, if you rent your car at FCO to head off to rural Toscana, you drive about a quarter of a mile and turn left for Toscana and you don't even touch the outer ring of Roma and avoid all the traffic.
VERY USEFUL AND ENTERTAINING, THANK YOU!
Awesome! Thank you! Have you ever driven here in Italy ?
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IN ITALY BUT I HAVE HEARD ALL ABOUT THE WILD DRIVING OVER THERE JUST LIKE MY COUNTRY OF BIRTH (PANAMA) BACK IN THE DAYS, THE STOP SIGN WAS A JOKE, IT WAS LIKE WHOEVER HONKS ON THE HORN FIRST GOES FIRST, SAME THING WITH RED LIGHTS, THAT WAS BACK IN THE DAYS
I'm going to be renting a car while on holiday in Italy, this month. Driving from Pisa to South of Naples. I'm from the UK, sp also going to have to learn to drive on the wrong side of the road - wish me luck!
Hats off to you! I have spent a considerable amount of time in the UK in my life, but I never got the opportunity to drive there. One day I’d like to try it, and I think in the beginning I would freak out.!
Im also from uk originally from Nepal where people drive worstly but have been hesitant to drive italy as its the opposite lanes..if not then would definitely have tried as i dont mind stupid drivers😂😂..please share me ur experience driving opposite lanes.
I lived in the UK for one year and I used to work every summer but unfortunately I never got the chance to drive there. I’m sure the beginning it would’ve been difficult, but then I would have got used to it.
@@bikashgurung6574 My colleague at work is originally from Nepal - it's a small world
I was in Rome and they are really aggressive drivers and I am from NYC were drivers don't give a dam, but at least respect the traffic rules...I would never drive in there
It’s a battlefield here. But you get used to it.
Of Rome it's a Battlefield, try Palermo 😈
I drove there once but only for a few hours. I got a good taste of Catania however. Insane
Born and raised in Italy, and I'm still not used to driving in Italy
🤪. Not much hope for the rest of us !
Good job David!
If im a foreign on vacations and I get a fine, I got to pay it?
I wish you would've mentioned speeding cameras. I blew by these unknowingly on the autostrada. Hoping I don't have a plethora of tickets in my future.
I always look out for them. Whenever possible I look them up on the internet to see where they are.
Dude great video beat I’ve watched on the subject 👍
Thank you! Are you thinking of driving here?
@@DavidsDoseofItaly yes sir we were supposed to get rental car yesterday but we couldn’t because we apparently needed a physical international drivers license (not just the electronic one) for the rental car company we chose. Luckily another company didn’t care if we had one or not so we got it today and I am driving on a Sunday to start out which is nice.
@@wakeg40 Yeah I have an international driver's license too. Technically you need one to drive here unless you have a license from another EU country
Thanks for the great advice, David. Do you know if you rent a car fairly easily in Siena? Thinking of taking a train from Florence to Siena and then check out a few small hill towns. Presume it will be a lot less hectic in the countryside. Thank you!
Hi Terry, I think so. I found Enterprise rental in Viale Europa in Siena. I'd go with and yes that'll be much easier to see the small towns. It'll be calmer but Italian drivers can be impatient everywhere.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Thanks a million, David!
Mexican here. Driving in Italy is a piece of cake, then.
Everything is very similar
Im curious to drive in Mexico now !
I was wondering if it would be similar? I drive in Guadalajara all the time and we are planning a trip this December landing Rome and spending a week in Todi and a week in Pisa, I was considering renting a car at airport. If it’s like Mexico, then we should be good 😂
@@maribelmarquez4740 Si manejas en Guadalajara, manejar en otra ciudad será pan comido
@@nelsonaraujo86ojalá y así sea!
Update- I’ve driven in Bari, Ostuni, Otranto and Lecce as far as larger cities go. Ostuni was hard… in the USA, the drivers would be considered bad, dangerous and highly obnoxious. I only mention this so you are prepared for the shock! Conversely, if these Italian drivers drove this way in the USA, they would not make it far. Traffic police would pull them over 75 times a day lol.
It sounds like Im picking on Italians and maybe a little :) but I get it’s just the culture here and status quo… but by describing as I have, American drivers might drive safer and blend in better.
This part I mean very seriously. If Italians drive this way in rural America, they could be chased and their ‘attitude’ adjusted. Id suggest Italian drivers be overly nice and courteous compared to what they are used to accept in big cities…
Ive had some things happen here in Italy that I’d have followed and confronted folks in the USA and I’m on the timid side of rural American males. Again… i love Italy and Italians but wow… drivers in Italy are interesting lol
Exactly. They would meet hostility in the US. I give a lot of them a pass because they don’t know any other way. They copy each other. Monkey see monkey do however certain selfish obnoxious ways of driving I don’t put up with. In particular drivers who do certain maneuvers because they are impatient. Sorry I’m not helping them.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I want to reiterate that I’m only saying it all so Americans ‘really’ know what they are in for… that said, I was on a 2 lane road with a 2’ drop off after a 1’ shoulder and a fellow in oncoming traffic had to be doing 120kph in a 50kph zone attempted to pass and nearly died. Props to him for making an impossible recovery! This behavior is not a one-off… it’s very common. I’d bet he nearly totaled his car because I think he bent his frame while saving his life. Seeing the car he grazed drive slowly holding his 2 meter bumper guard out his window was pricesless
Thanks for the excellent video David! I will be traveling Italy with my wife for the first time in April. We are staying mostly in Rome but will stay in Priano, Amalfi coast for three nights. Would you recommend renting a car from Rome or going buy train/bus? We don’t really plan on driving around much in Amalfi, so just need to get there. I’ve never driven in Italy but I’m used to NYC traffic and have plenty of international driving experience as well. Also, can you recommend reliable car rental companies in Rome?
Hey! Thank you! Hhmmm, well it depends on whether you like adventure! if you're willing to drive on difficult twisty turny roads and put up with aggressive drivers who will surpass you in tiny space then driving will save you a lot of time. The hard part is the amalfi coast. If you do decide to drive I strongly recommend a good navigator on your phone. Also, you may not have internet on the amalfi coast in some areas. So map out the road before you go and visually see where they sharp turns are! I do the same thing in Rome when I don't know the road.
Eeks i would not make that drive i d def book a taxi on line n find a good rate..much much easier!
This is so helpful thank you! Do you find that Google Maps is accurate for turn-by-turn directions in both cities and smaller towns?
Hi Brittnee. Oh sure. I think does really well, even in Rome with their at times bizarre road system. If you're unsure do what I did in the video and just literally trace the route every step of the way. In Rome for example there are turns that are easy to miss if you don't know where they are.
great video! one question, what company do you normally trust the most for car rental out of Rome airport?
Thanks !
I haven’t rented a car in ages but I’d go with Europa car or enterprise per a friends recommendation
Helpful, thanks.
Thanks for the tips!
Happy to help!
I have family in Monte di Procida so no issues getting around, but I’m going to Catania in august and rented a car to drive from the airport to Taormina, then spend a day in Francavilla(moms hometown), then back to Catania. I’m pretty nervous about it. I refuse to drive in Monti di Procida (dads hometown), they’re nutz.
They are indeed nuts! But it's a controlled nuts. Even here in Rome, they tend to drive like they're drunk but they're skilled drivers (most of them). Most Italian drivers tend to drive in a way that suits their own interests and they have a habit of insisting. I think I mentioned it in this video, but they have a tendency to gradually turn left to the point where they place themselves in the middle of the intersection and therefore oncoming traffic is literally forced to stop and let them in. I hate that and I try to avoid doing it. Anyway, just be cautious and alert. This is the key to Italian driving.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I can drive in New York City with no issues. Thank you for the advice. I’ll be in Rome for a night august 19th. Spending 1 night so we can eat at some restaurant we ate at back in 2019 on Governo Vecchio (I think) were everyone could sign the walls. It was fantastic. Hopefully it’s still there. Giuseppe Coppola
For someone who has lived and worked in Italy I like your recommendations about not renting a car if your visiting just the major cities. Most gas stations in Italy are now self serve,(fai da te) you’ll pay extra if they pump your gas. One thing you failed to mention. GPS!
Hi Salvatore. What do mean we pay extra if it’s full serve ?
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Pumping you’re gas ( fai da te) is relatively new in Italy. If you want the gas station attendant to pump your gas you pay extra per liter. Much like many places in the U.S.
Actually I didn’t know that. I always tip the foreigner. He probably lives on tips
@@DavidsDoseofItaly not sure what you’re talking about. You’re a foreigner in Italy yourself . Who tips you?
No One. But I don’t care.
Do you need to pay extra for insurance over and above what the rental company supplies? like the LDW?
I am not sure to be honest. Sorry.
Great video!
Didn't know Benicio del Toro had a channel on YT about Italy
😂😂😂. Want an autograph ??
In Napoli honking is required every 30 seconds if you need it or not.
Of course. I mean If everyone else does it, must be normal
Great stuff!
Thanks!😊
Hi , Im planning on coming from Rome to Amalfi coast, so ill need a car in Rome and to travel but not necessarily in Amalfi, would you recommend getting a hire car "picked up" in Rome and then "Dropped off" at naples or sorrento? Im asking cause from that point I was considering hiring out a scooter/Vespa and what do people do when hiring scooters ? Base themselves in one location close by whilst visiting? my other idea was to stay outside all the main areas and bike in and out of the main locations likes Positano
Hi Phillip. In all honesty, I wouldnt rent a car if your objective is to go just from the airport here in Rome and then arrive in Naples. I'd take the train because, it may not be the most convenient, it is the cheapest. When you rent a car you have the cost of the car rental, gas, and some toll both costs. However, having your own car does give you a sense of autonomy and freedom. It depends on what you most want.
Renting a scooter is a great way to see the Amalfi coast and you can access tight roads and areas that a car can't. Sure, I'm all for it even though I've never driven a scooter in my life! If you want to base yourself in one area and then go see the Amalfi coast by day, you could base yourself in Amalfi or even Positano since those are the 2 main towns along the Amalfi coast. You could also consider Salerno ( I lived there for 3 years) because you can reach the amafl coast by bus or by boat. Let me know what you decide! Buon Viaggio!
So you didn't talk about how we all drive manual here.
Also we all learn to parallel park at driving school, it's a part of the exam
Yeah that’s true I could have mentioned it. I love manual driving and I taught myself how to do it in America. Although an automatic transmission is better for city driving
but hybrid cars are fully authorized to go everywhere right?
Yes, I don’t believe that there are any restrictions
Just got a ticket in the mail for stopping a few meters past the WHITE line at an intersection without traffic light in Santa Marinella. I am an old Italy hand and know it all: Autovelox, Tutor, ZTL, Photored. But this? What the heck? Many US tourists ignore those rental car tickets. I decided to pay these 50 euros. But how? No website where you can pay by credit card. You have to send an international wire, which costs another 40 bucks. And who knows whether this payment will be credited properly.
Ehhh that’s a blatant attempt to get cash out of you. I’m not saying don’t pay it , however I don’t think the Italian government will go after you for 50 euros.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Forgot to mention that I am also familiar with bus and taxi lanes. I thought I had it covered, knowing what to watch for🙂 Until Santa Marinella in 2021.
But my worst experience was with ZTL in Rome about 15 years ago. Before then, there were real police manning those ZTLs, and I could speak to them (a foreigner looking for his hotel inside ZTL). Until 2007. No police, just cameras. I entered and exited ZTL 7 times. Got 7 "administrative fees" at 35 euros each from rental car company. Credit card took their side. And at $1.60 to euro at the time, it really hurt! But the funny part is that I NEVER got THE ACTUAL ZTL ticket.
Pro tips for driving in Italy.
1. Never put your phone down. And remember, texting while driving is a skill that needs to be practiced.
2. Drive as fast and reckless as possible. When you see pedestrians or bicyclists on the road, don’t slow down. Try to see how dangerously close you can get without hitting them. Especially at crosswalks.
The same rule applies to driving near motorcyclists on the autostrada.
3. When entering a roadway or intersection, never look in the direction of the oncoming traffic. Only look in the direction that you want to drive. If there’s traffic, block the oncoming cars and wait until there is an opening in the lane you need. And of course, never use your indicators.
4. Ignore all speed limits and stop signs. When at a traffic light, honk your horn as soon as the light turns green. Don’t be shy, horns are made for honking.
5. Parking. Make sure that when double parking you block as much traffic as possible.
6. If the car or motorcyclist in front of you is not going as fast as you want, be sure to tailgate at least a half meter from their bumper. Don’t forget to dangerously pass whenever possible, even on blind corners.
I thought I already commented this. But anyway this is hilarious ! Thank you !
great video! I have a question... We are spending a few days in Rome... depending on Public transportation while we are there....but then my wife and I hope to rent a car and drive up to Florence, spend 3 days and then drive on to Milan for 3 days. Our hotels are in the cities... how does one park their rental car in the city? I've heard parking in cities is impossible, I am not a resident of the city and not even sure if there is parking near our hotel.... is it too much trouble to do this and would you just recommend travel by train? We really wanted to see some country side and sight see and try some small town restaurants.
Hey Michael. Great question and not so easy an answer. Parking in Italian cities is difficult but not impossible. If you decide to rent a car and try parking it in the cities 1. learn how to parallel park which will come in super handy. 2. Be prepared to circle the same block a few times while looking for parking spots (parking spots are available just not often close to where you need to be) 3. Ask the hotel what they recommend and if they have a deal with the city which would would give you a discount on parking. if you're just gonna see the big cities you really don't need a car. if however small towns are on your list then see what the bus services are to those areas. For example I took a bus from Florence to Siena and San Gimignano.
Word of advice: NEVER take the trains. A train we took from Bologna to Naples kept being delayed (we booked first class) after we boarded and a 2.5 hour trip ended up taking 6 hours and we were stranded when we missed our flight back to the US.
@@911eVoX 😣😣. Sorry to hear that. It does happen but in my experience rarely.
do you recommend renting a car to go from bergamo to lake como? specifically bellagio? I saw that there is public transport, but limited hours and very busy in the summer
Personally I would. If you can afford it pay for convenience and comfort. Although the driving may be stressful in Italy in the end it’s worth it
Great video. I am looking to take a train from Rome to Napoli and then rent a car to drive to Positano and Amalfi just for a day trip. Is this feasible? Any suggestions?
Hi! Thank you for the feedback. I am not quite sure what you want to do. Are you looking to end your day in Napoli or Rome? In any event, I don't think you'll be able to fit everything all into one day especially if you want to be back in Rome at the end of your day. You'll find that once you reach the Amalfi coast you'll want to dedicate some time to look around, explore, shop etc. In essence you want to avoid hectic rhythms as much as possible in Italy and allow yourself time to enjoy what's around you.
You also may find it a bit of a stressful drive to go from Naples to Positano by car, although I've never driven that route so I can't say 100% what it would be like, but I have an idea.
Now, if your goal is to have a car to be able to go around the Amalfi coast then you'll most likely have to rent your car in Naples or somewhere near there because I don't see any car rental places in the town of Positano and Amalfi. I have seen rental places for scooters however, and this is a popular way to get around the Amalfi coast.
Alternatively you could take the bus to get around the Amalfi coast (the name of the company is Sita) and let the bus driver handle the hectic twists and turns! If that works for you then take the boat from Naples to Positano or Amalfi (they all leave from Molo Beverello) and then take the bus to get around.
This however may not be convenient with all your luggage. Lastly, I lived in Salerno for 3 years and I rented cars there as well as frequently took the bus to go to the Amalfi coast.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly thanks. My goal is to arrive Naples at 10:30 then get a rental car and head to Positano and maybe Amalfi depending on time. Drive back to Naples to drop off the rental and be on a train at 7:40p to head back to Roma. Does that seem doable? Also, will it be easy to find a good parking spot in Positano to leave the car and explore the town on foot? Thanks again.
@@r-ink605 You might be able to pull that off but I still wouldn't. I say that because just by looking at it and thinking of what I know about the Naples area, it seems like too much. You could easily come across a lot of traffic or a train which is delayed or perhaps even cancelled. Granted these are worst case scenarios but I prefer to plan carefully when it comes to Italy. You are most likely going to be spending most of your time traveling and potentially not seeing much in Positano and Amalfi. But give it a shot and see what happens.
Parking ?! That’s a total crap shoot in most parts of Italy 🙃🙃😆 Good luck
@@DavidsDoseofItaly thanks!
Thanks!
I drove in India/ china/ korea.
Driving in Italy
Piece of a cake
🤣🤣. How was Italy easier ??
Question of the week: Ever driven here? Are you up to the task??
Ok thank you for your video but I wanna go to lake como for first time what should I do go by taxi or train ?! And don’t forget I have 2 luggage. Thank you
I’ve never been there however it’s not incredibly difficult to bring two pieces of luggage on a train. Although if you’re not on a tight budget and want to convenience pay for a taxi.
lollll thanks David for putting me off from renting a car in Italy! XD
🙃. Where were you thinking of driving ?
@@DavidsDoseofItaly the dolomites! But alas, the rental prices are crazy right now, so we planned the trip just with public transit.
Oh nice. I’ve never been there 😭. Yeah. I’m away for the weekend and the rental prices were crazy here too.
Word of advice however. Check very carefully that public transportation arrives at the places where you want to go.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly thank you! I am using the official sudtirol transit app for public buses, and yeah the station names get confusing cuz both the italian and german names are there 😂
@@katiirabbi I took a bus once in Bolzano and it was super punctual. So you might be in luck
I would like to go Italia only want to drive there 😂 I'm from Arabia and wanted to visit Italia drive there and watch my favourite team inter 💙🖤
That's a long drive! Buon viaggio!
If the horn is honking and the arms are gesturing, there's an Italian inside. 😅
And if you see a moped with 7 people on it, that's a family.
I saw multiple people on vespas in Napoli !
@@DavidsDoseofItaly My observance was from my Italian wife as she was born and grew up in Italy. Everybody jumped on the poor Vespa to go to town. Like a three ringed circus.
@@SpaceCadet4Jesus the horn honking is excessive here. I think it’s cuz Italians hate wasting time. Even seconds
I am a fan of the Barilla pasta commercials.
Great !
if we are heading to Milan, Florence,Sienna & Almafi which one would recommend driving? in Almafi I know parking can be hard, will be there 3rd week of Apr and wanted to try the convertible(open roof) car at least is that super bad idea?
Hi Cindy. I have been to all those places and I went there before I got a car. Driving Amalfi coast is difficult if you’re not used to tight driving. The only advantage to having a car is that you are more autonomous and you can see a lot more. However parking in Italy can be extremely difficult. It’s your call
@@DavidsDoseofItaly thanks for the reply that is helpful!
You said that you are comparing Italian driving to New England in the US. My question is: are Italians worse than Boston drivers? More aggressive or less predictable? Thanks!
P.S. I'll be driving on Sardinia, so thankfully not Rome, but we'll see. Thanks for the tips.
I think that is a fair comparison. I haven’t lived in New England for 13 years but I do remember the reputation that Bostonians have. I always thought though that for as reckless as they seem they were rather skilled and I would describe Italian drivers that way. Granted there are always exceptions of course
@@DavidsDoseofItaly, ok, that makes me feel a bit better! I've dealt with my fair share of Mass drivers, so hopefully that all was good prep for Italian driving.
I know that driving in big cities in the US seems to make people crazier, so I'm hoping that like in the US, it won't be as crazy in the countryside.
@@Stitching_Sassenach Since I’m from Connecticut I always observed a distinct difference between Massachusetts drivers and the ones from my state. I think I’ll take my chances with the ones from Massachusetts
@@DavidsDoseofItaly, I'm originally from CT too! I grew up in West Hartford, but moved after college. Of course, we drive too fast in CT. We're a bit crazy too. I hope all these crazy New Englanders prepped me for driving in Italy soon!
Time will tell ! West Hartford. Ah yes , nice town. I played hockey there a few times.
Omg, hell no I wouldn’t get a car in Italy 🇮🇹, is just like Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 rude and reckless. Question, so you just get a permit? Not a driver’s license? And how long is it? Or when expires? Thanks Daaaaavid ✌️✌️
Unfortunately you need to take the test and get your Italian license. US licenses can’t be converted here. Until then get an international one from AAA
Ahhh damn
So let’s forget that, what about a regular ID? Or identification? Thanks 🙏🏼
@@noeyg9457 what do you mean ? An ID for identification purposes or for driving ?
Here in NY you either get your ID as identification form or your driver’s license. Can you get a regular ID 🪪? Sorry for the confusion.
Got it. Here in Italy they're like the US in that various things count as ID. The most common one is the Italian ID card. But you can easily use your passport as ID, even your US license in theory but I think the Italian authorities understand passports better.
We are thinking of renting a car to take the Adriatic coast south and stick to mostly small roads and small towns. I think we will end in Matera. This will be our third stay in Italy and have rented vespas(did not enjoy that!)
If you're looking for adventure, you got it! Just be careful on those small Southern Italian roads as many of them haven't been paved in years and you don't want to risk getting a flat or having your car break down in the middle of nowhere. For as much as I love exploring I've seen some scary roads in Italy and if you have a problem it's not as simple as calling AAA and they come tow you.
However I don't want to make these horrible predictions before you've actually made the trip. Just be prepared as much as possible and if you can, map out the roads you want to take ahead of time. I know that somewhat defeats the purpose of exploring but a little preparation in Italy goes a long way. Buon viaggio!
@@DavidsDoseofItaly what do you do if you have car trouble in the middle of nowhere?🧐
@@DavidsDoseofItaly I'm in construction and drive some scary roads into new jobs... nails and debris everywhere... not much can scare me that way lol. But thanks for the heads up. We are FINALLY coming back to our hearts home, Italy this fall(2022) and wish we could live there. But a month a year for now is what we can do. Thanks again for all the Italy help!!!
Then you’ll do fine driving here. Lots of expats live here, hopefully you can find a way too !
as a new york city native i found driving in italy basically the same. its definitely more expensive in every way though.
Good to know. I wonder if I could handle NY
@@DavidsDoseofItaly if youre not used to assertive drivers it will feel like a chore...its pleasant at night though when the streets are more empty
I’m more used to it now than a few years ago but I’ll always miss driving in small towns
Ciao David, vivo in Olanda e sono terrorizzato dall'idea di guidare a Roma. Le strane sono larghe e non ci sono strisce per terra a marcare le corsie. Come si fa ad affrontare una svolta o una rotonda tipo Piazza Venezia che e' enorme? Si viaggia in quante corsie li?
Ciao! Guarda anch'io all'inizio mi faceva paura l'idea di guidare qui. A tutt'oggi ci sono momenti in cui sono nervoso ma niente rispetto all'inizio. Il fatto che c'è una mancanza di corsie delineate per terra mi irrita tanto e ho il dubbio che il comune di Roma usi una vernice molto scadente che si consuma troppo facilmente. Ma, anche quando c'è, i romani fanno fatica a rispettare le corsie. Molte volte quando sono in una rotatoria e miracolosamente ci sono le corsie, mi allontano dalla macchina piu avanti nella corsia accanto alla mia perchè troppe volte succede che man mano invade la mia e manco mette la freccia! Non so se mi sono spiegato! Io evito Piazza Venezia e prendo altre strade per arrivare a Termini per esempio. Il trucco sta nel fare attenzione e anticipare la mossa dell'altro prima che lo faccia, è un po come giocare a scacchi.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly Tieniti sulla destra e vedi che nessuno ti rompe le palle. Se vedi una macchina sulla tua stessa corsia, ti sposti.
O, più semplicemente, NON PASSI DA PIAZZA VENEZIA. E' una ZTL, non voglio immaginare le multe che i pizzardoni ti avranno mandato... ;)
@@gabem.5242 Io rimango nella corsia di destra quando è possibile. Una cosa che non tollero è quando sono in una via stretta in cui le persone potrebbero attraversare la strada nel modo poco attento e spericolato e dietro di me ce ne uno che non si leva. In quel caso lo lascio suonare il clacson e arrabbiarsi. Che me ne frega?!
Ho preso in totale 3 multe qui a Roma. Una mentre andavo a Termini e per arrivarci ero passato da Piazza Venezia. Mai più! Per il resto, non porto la macchina nella zona di Piazza Venezia, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, perchè il parcheggio è inesistente e poi ci sono queste benedette multe da pagare.
@@DavidsDoseofItaly In pratica passi nella ZTL del Centro Storico e poi ti lamenti delle multe e delle vie strette. Sei davvero fenomenale, David! :)
Un consiglio, prima di girare per Roma, controlla sul sito del Comune le varie ZTL dove si estendono: i varchi (specialmente quelli del centro storico e del Quirinale) sono SEMPRE attivi, anche se lo schermo segnala diversamente o è rotto.
@@gabem.5242 No no, Non passo più da quelle zone. Una multa mi bastava!