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Car rental in Catania – Discovering the real Sicily
Located on the east coast of Sicily, Catania is a very picturesque and welcoming city with a wealth of tourist appeal at any time of the year, including winter. The second largest city on the island after Palermo, it is blessed with an abundance of late Baroque architecture and artwork, making it one of Italy's most cultural travel destinations. The city is also unique for the fact that it is located at the foot of Europe's highest volcano, Mount Etna, which is one of the most active in the entire world and lies just 30 kilometres from the city, making it a wonderful day-trip destination for travellers looking to see the best of Sicily with their car rental in Catania. First-time visitors will find that Catania offers a wealth of historic Greek and Roman sites, charming Baroque piazzas, ancient spas and exquisite cuisine cooked in the traditional Sicilian style. Built from volcanic lava, this picturesque, cosmopolitan city offers its guests a truly immerse Mediterranean experience from the moment you first arrive through its culinary charms, magnificent buildings and bustling outdoor markets.
A very popular daily activity (especially for tourists) is a visit to Catania's lively morning fish market known as La Pescheria, a vibrant meeting place for locals and visitors alike where freshly caught fish from the local waters is sold at reasonable prices. Later on you'll be able to relax on a restaurant terrace to sample some of the many local specialties, including succulent pasta alla Norma (with ricotta and eggplant) and arancini, a deliciously savoury dish of stuffed rice dumplings. Visiting in February means that you'll be able to take part in La festa di sant'Agata, which incorporates a parade through the streets and a grand fireworks display to end the evening in style. Catania's night-life is very lively thanks to the large number of students studying at the University of Catania. Ideally situated midway along the island's spectacular east coast, on the Riviera of the Cyclops, the city's glorious environs also mean that a rental car in Catania will enable you to comfortably visit Sicily's most famous tourist sites, such as Trapani, Taormina, Etna, Syracuse, etc., as well as some of the island's most beautiful beaches.
Heading south from Catania will give you the chance to discover many key sights like Syracuse, the baroque town of Noto and the southern tip of the island where lies the magical town of Marzamemi. If you'd like to explore other parts of the island and drop off your vehicle at Palermo airport, for instance, you can easily do so with a one-way car rental, an option that gives you even more freedom and flexibility when visiting Sicily. Founded in 1954, Auto Europe offers the best deals for car hire in Catania thanks to the longstanding partnerships we've established with all the top international vehicle providers. This in turn enables us to offer the widest range of car categories on the market, as well as the most competitive rates and the best customer service. Our easy-to-use booking engine is available for all online car rentals.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Catania, click on the car rental related topics listed below:
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Where to Pick up a Car Hire in Catania
On the Auto Europe website, you can search and compare rates to find the best deal for your next car rental in Catania quickly and easily in just a few seconds. You can choose to pick up your vehicle at the airport, from a central train station or in the heart of the city centre, with a variety of car rental suppliers available. Some of the pick-up points in central Catania include locations within walking distance of Porto Rossi, with other options available on Presso Vecchia Dogana, Via Cardinale Dusmet and Corso delle Province. Once you've found the right vehicle for your trip and confirmed your booking, you'll find all the information you need about your affordable car hire in Catania on your booking voucher sent to you promptly by e-mail. Please don't forget to bring all the necessary documents with you when you arrive to collect your vehicle, such as your passport, valid driving licence, insurance details (if you have any) and a major credit card in the name of the main driver.
Should you prefer to pick up your vehicle at Catania Airport or Catania Train station, then please keep reading!
Catania Airport
The city's airport (known locally as Aeroporto Internazionale Vincenzo Bellini di Catania-Fontanarossa) is located just five kilometres south of the city. It is Sicily's main airport and one of the country's busiest in terms of passenger numbers. Commissioned in the 1920s, it serves as a hub for many seasonal flights from major European cities and continues to undergo regular refurbishment and expansion phases due to the constant growth in its traffic. Some forty different airlines currently operate at Catania Airport with an increasing number of both domestic and international flights year on year. An Alibus bus service runs between Catania train station and the airport regularly from 6am until midnight.
Catania Airport (CTA)
Website: aeroporto.catania.it
Address: Via Fontanarossa, 95121 Catania CT, Italy
Telephone: +39 095 723 9111
Catania Train Station
For travellers arriving by train or sea, or those who'd prefer to pick up their car rental in Catania a few days after arriving by plane, then renting a car at Catania Train Station is a suitable alternative. As its name suggests, the station is very centrally located with all the main attractions within easy walking distance of the main entrance, plus it is also close to the port. It is one of the island's main railway stations, being served by a metro line, regional trains and long-distance trains to destinations on mainland Italy, including Rome, Milan, Turin and Venice. Several car rental companies are present at the station, including Avis, Europcar and Budget, with their welcome desks and pick-up stations located a short distance away.
Catania Train Station
Website: trenitalia.com
Address: Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII, 2, 95129 Catania, Italy
Telephone: +39 095 723 9111
Book with the Best Car Rental Suppliers in Catania
With Auto Europe being one of the world's largest car rental companies both in Catania and throughout Italy, you'll find a vast choice of vehicle categories at the most unbeatable prices. Founded in 1954, and working in close partnership with all the top car rental operators, we have since become a world-renowned firm that with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. Renting a cheap car in Catania through our website is one of the first steps to ensuring that you'll have a pleasant stay in Sicily.
Here is a selection of some of our best-known international rental partners operating in Catania (if you click on the logos, you'll get specific information about each respective company). We also co-operate with many reliable local suppliers such as Sicily by Car and Locauto, both of which offer a great service and very competitive rates. If you need further advice or someone to help you find the best deal for your travel requirements, please call our award-winning rental specialists who will be happy to assist you with your plans.
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Should you have any questions about any of our partners or their individual policies, do not hesitate to contact us. Our helpful phone agents will be happy to help answer any questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions about Renting a Car in Catania
There are many aspects of renting a car in Catania that might possibly seem a bit confusing, especially for those using this service for the first time, such as issues involving insurance coverage, credit cards and security deposits, etc. Therefore we have out together this FAQ section which is dedicated to some of the things you might want to consider when booking an affordable car rental in Catania with Auto Europe. Please note that we also provide a reliable telephone service with multilingual experts who will be delighted to answer any questions you might have and find you the best deal for your trip.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Catania?
To rent a car in Catania you will always need a valid credit card issued by one of the larger companies such as Visa, Mastercard, etc. Please note that cash or a debit/pre-paid card will be refused by the vast majority of local car rental companies, which in turn will put your car rental in Catania at risk of cancellation or unexpected cost. In addition to their driving licence (valid for at least one year), passport and the Auto Europe booking voucher, the main driver must present a major credit card registered in their name and with a sufficiently high limit to allow the deposit to be blocked at the time of pick-up. To find out more about credit cards and deposits, please follow the link to access our dedicated section on this subject or call our reservation agents.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Catania?
The prices quoted on the Auto Europe website already include the minimum amount of legally-required car rental coverage for driving on the island of Sicily. These rates include collision damage waiver (CDW), third-party liability, fire insurance and theft protection (TP), all of which are included in the standard package and will cover you in the event of vehicle theft or an accident. Nevertheless, it is important to bear in mind that CDW does not cover certain parts of the vehicle, such as the tyres, engine and undercarriage, which means that for peace of mind it's always best to spend a little more to further protect yourself throughout the period of your car rental in Catania. For this we suggest Auto Europe's very popular Full Damage Protection product for a stress-free journey without having to worry about your vehicle getting damaged whilst touring the island. This option is much cheaper than purchasing additional insurance directly from the local supplier at the time of pick-up, many of whom will try to to sell you additional insurance despite the fact that you are already fully covered with Auto Europe, so it's important to remember that you are under no obligation to purchase what they are offering you.
Another important consideration is the possibility of any age restrictions that might apply to younger or older drivers visiting the island. Some local car rental companies might apply their own restrictions and rates for drivers who in most cases will be required to have held a driving license held for at least one year. The age limit varies from rental company to rental company and also depends on the car category. In addition, a daily surcharge is often applied to young drivers under the age of 26. You'll find all the relevant information by clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) i the car details once you have made a quick search in our booking engine, after which you just need to scroll down to the Driver Information section in the T&Cs where you will find all the age-related information. Please also note that if you plan to add additional drivers to your rental, they will also need to be registered and sign the rental contract, showing ID and a valid driver's license. A daily fee may also apply for the additional driver. But on the Auto Europe website, you can take advantage of packages including one or more free additional drivers free with certain partner rental companies and for specific destinations.
How is the traffic in Catania?
The driving style in Catania isn´t too dissimilar from other Sicilian cities, meaning that some drivers have a more assertive style of driving than those back home! It is therefore recommended to take extra care on the road, especially in the more historical central parts of the city where the streets can be very narrow and susceptible to more congestion, especially around the major intersections. Near the Roman Amphitheatre and the cathedral in particular you can expect more intense traffic, especially in the high season. Like with other cities, driving during rush hour should be avoided, most notably from 7am until 10am and again from 5pm until 8pm. Traffic in the city is further exacerbated due to the numerous one-way streets and merging lanes, particularly in and around the Old Town. When visiting Catania, we advise taking the following road rules and regulations into account, namely driving on the right-hand side and overtake on the left-hand side, while seatbelts are mandatory for both driver and their passengers. You must be at least 18 years of age to drive in Sicily and the individual car rental suppliers may impose higher minimum age limits subject to an additional fee. It is prohibited to use a mobile phone whilst driving, and families visiting the island should take note of the fact that a suitable child car seat must be used when carrying minors.
Where can I park my car rental in Catania?
On-street paid parking is available throughout the city and are designated by a blue line. Tickets can be purchased from a nearby machine and must be displayed within your vehicle. We recommend not to purchase the parking tickets from any individual trying to sell you them because the price of these tickets tend to be over-inflated. We also advise drivers to avoid on-street parking if possible due to the unfortunate high theft rate in Catania. Luckily, seeking out a secure, often covered parking facility isn’t too difficult. Municipal car parks are conveniently located on Via Plebiscito 747, Piazza Paolo Borsellino, Via Luigi Sturzo, Via La Spezia and Via Forcile. Many other large car parks are located in and around the city centre and can be easily found using a GPS device. These car parks are competitively priced and will provide you extra peace of mind during your trip.
Can I drive my car hire in the ZTL zone in Catania?
No, you will not be able to enter a ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) zone with your car rental in Catania. Known locally as a Limitazioni Della Circolazione, the zone permanently restricts access to unauthorised vehicle in certain parts of central Catania to reduce pollution and emission levels in key parts of the inner city. When a vehicle enters the zone, the camera records the car's number plate and sends the information to the municipal police control system which checks whether or not the vehicle is authorised to be inside the ZTL. Following the policy of a growing number of cities around the world, the idea is to protect a large part of Catania's historic centre from vehicle congestion at all hours of the day and night, including the areas in and around Piazza Bellini and the outer areas connected by Via di Sangiuliano, Via Ventimiglia and Via Vittorio Emanuele II. Within this ZTL there is also a pedestrian zone with even stricter traffic limits. Access is only permitted to residents granted the appropriate authorisation. For more specific information, please follow the link to the Catania ZTL website.
Can I hire a motorhome in Catania?
Catania is not only an interesting city to visit by car, but also an incredible place to discover in a modern Auto Europe motorhome! To make the most of your stay on the online explore all the sites of interest in and around this magnificent city, why not book a campervan rental in Catania and tour Sicily in style in your very own hotel suite on wheels, saving lots of money on hotels and restaurant in the process! It's the perfect way to travel around the island while in the company of your closest friends and family members.
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