Motorway driving
The majority of motorways (
autostrade) are toll roads. Take a ticket as you join the motorway and pay on exit. Paying by cash is the most straightforward option. Booths which accept cash are marked “cash/
contanti” and colour-coded white. Avoid the yellow colour coded Telepass lane, for which you need a linked bank account.
Since other roads can be frustratingly slow, tolls are well worth it over long distances, but be prepared for queues at exits at peak times, and rates can mount up on a long journey.
Petrol Stations
Most petrol stations have someone who will fill the tank for you, with some giving the choice of self-service (
fai da te). With the exception of the ones on motorways, they often have the same working hours as shops, meaning they’ll be closed for a couple of hours at midday, all day Sunday, and will close at around 7pm.
Self service
Outside opening hours, many petrol stations have a self-service facility for which you pay into a machine between the pumps by bank note or credit card. These are often not well advertised so you might need to go onto the forecourt to check.
Breakdown
In the event of a breakdown when travelling around Italy, call 116 or the
ACI (the national motoring association) on 803 116, who will send someone out – this is expensive if you need a tow, unless you already have cover with a motoring organization in your home country. Alternatively, consult the Yellow Pages (
Pagine Gialle) under “
Autoriparazioni” for specialised repair shops.
Parking
Italians may seemingly park just about anywhere, but we advise not to follow suit. Parking attendants are especially active in tourist areas and if you park in a
zona di rimozione (tow-away zone), then do not expect your car to be there when you get back.
Never leave anything visible in the car when you’re not using it. Certain cities have appalling reputations for theft. In Naples, some rental agencies won’t insure a car left anywhere except in a locked garage.
Most towns and villages have pay-and-display areas just outside the centre but these can get very full in high season. Lots of towns now operate a colour coded parking scheme:
- Blue-zone
Spaces in these zones (blue lines) have a maximum stay of one or two hours, cost around €0.70-1.50/hour, and are sometimes free at lunchtimes, after 8pm and on Sundays. You can usually pay at the meter or buy tickets from local tobacconists.
- White-zone
These spaces (white lines) are much coveted as they are free, so will be difficult to come by.
- Yellow-zone
These areas (yellow lines) are for disabled drivers or delivery zones.
It is handy to have a mini clock like dial which you set and display in the windscreen when you park to indicate that you’re still within the allowed limit. Rental cars generally come with these, and some tourist offices have them too.
Car parks
Secure car parks often come in the form of small, enclosed garages, which are universally expensive. These can cost up to €20 a day in big cities. A patrolled car park is probably the safes overnight option, especially if you have foreign plates.
Parking in the street
Finding a place can be much easier at night, but make sure you’re not parked on a street which becomes a market in the morning or on the day of the week it gets cleaned in the small hours, otherwise you’re likely to be towed.