In Italy

Holidays, car rental increases by 23% on average

The figure emerges from the study carried out by the Federconsumatori National Observatory, which monitored the costs of the week of 19 to 25 August considering four different companies

by Davide Madeddu

3 August 2025

3' min read

Key points

Prices from 19 to 25 August
Finding difficulties
In Olbia and Alghero the highest prices
The appeal to the authorities
The decalogue with tips

3' min read

Price increases are in sight for car hirers at the height of the holiday season. The average is 23 per cent, but in some cases it even reaches peaks of 95 per cent. And to rent a hatchback for a week you can spend even more than 900 euros. Describing this scenario is a study carried out by Onf, the Federconsumatori national observatory, which monitored car rental costs in the main tourist destinations, taking into consideration four companies in the sector.

Prices from 19 to 25 August

"In the week of 19 to 25 August, renting a car (medium-sized petrol hatchback) without additional insurance and accessories," reads the Federonsumatori study, "costs EUR 437.47, some 23% more than the price recorded in the same week in August 2024. Added to this are the costs still incurred by the price of fuel'.

Looking in detail, however, a situation emerges in which the highest prices are charged in Bari, Palermo, Catania, Olbia and Alghero, while the highest price rises are recorded in the stations and airports of Turin, Rome and Naples 'with peaks of up to 95 per cent higher than in August 2024'.

Hard to find means

"The Federconsumatori (consumers' association) points out that it is also difficult to find available cars at the time of booking: the few that are still available are rented, sometimes at unreasonable prices.

Olbia and Alghero have the highest prices

Renting a car at Malpensa airport, according to the observatory's findings, costs from a minimum of 238.80 euro (online payment) to a maximum of 487.87 (with payment at pick-up). The highest expenditure is at Alghero Airport. Here, the lowest figure for renting a car, with online payment, is 502.52 euros, while the maximum for a rental with payment on collection is 930.49. Renting a car at Roma Termini costs from a minimum of 240.90 euro for online payment, to a maximum of 406.89 for payment on delivery. In Olbia, prices are the highest with a minimum of 240.90 and a maximum of 804.76.

The appeal to the authorities

In the light of such high costs, Federconsumatori called on Agcm and Art to 'investigate the reasons and dynamics of these disproportionate price increases, urging them to intervene to limit the possible speculation taking place, which burdens families and damages a sector, that of tourism, vital for our country'.

The decalogue with advice

From the association for the protection of consumer rights also a decalogue with tips to follow for 'renting a car safely'.

Starting point, make sure that the mileage is always unlimited. Then pay attention to the fuel with a check on whether the car hire company prefers full for full or full for empty.and then advice on how to rent a car safely. "In the first case you rent the car with a full tank and you have to return it after filling it up again. In the second case, you rent the car with a full tank of petrol and return it as it is,' underline Federconsumatori. 'The advice is to opt for a 'full tank per full tank', since car rental companies often apply disproportionate fuel costs, which are extremely higher than those, already expensive, charged at petrol stations. Another aspect concerns insurance: 'it is very important to check whether you have chosen full protection or not, and what it includes'. Then the payment methods accepted and damages. 'When collecting the car, it is best to check if there is any damage'. "If you leave the keys in the box, outside opening hours, don't forget to photograph the vehicle so that you can dispute any undue charges." Parsimony in the choice of optional extras because 'everything has a cost'. Also, check the car hire company's documents and contacts. Indicate the name of the driver and check, should you get a driving fine, that the company does not apply further penalties'.