What to expect when you rent a car at Malpensa
Malpensa Airport (MXP), Milan's largest airport, has rental desks in the arrivals hall of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. You pick up your car after clearing customs and baggage claim, and return it either at the airport or at one of the company's city locations before your flight home. The whole process — from desk to driving — usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if your reservation is already confirmed.
Most major rental companies operate here: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, and several Italian-based firms. Prices vary widely by company, season, and how far in advance you book. Summer and peak travel weeks cost more than winter or shoulder seasons. Booking online before you arrive almost always costs less than walking up to the desk.
You will need a valid driver's license from your home country, an international driving permit (IDP) if your license is not in Latin characters, a credit card in your name for the deposit, and a passport. Some companies require you to be at least 21 years old; others set the minimum at 25. Drivers under 25 often pay a young driver surcharge.
Key Takeaways
- Rental desks are in the arrivals hall of both Malpensa terminals, and you can pick up a car within 30 minutes of landing if your reservation is confirmed.
- You will need a valid driver's license, passport, credit card, and an international driving permit if your license uses non-Latin characters.
- Booking online before arrival costs significantly less than renting at the desk, and prices depend heavily on season and how far ahead you reserve.
- Italian traffic rules differ from many countries — speed limits are lower in towns, tolls are common on highways, and parking in city centers often requires a permit or paid zone.
- Return the car on time and in the same condition you received it, or you will be charged for fuel, mileage overages, and damage beyond normal wear.
Documents you need to bring and prepare
Your driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period. If it is not in Latin characters — for example, if it is in Cyrillic, Arabic, or Chinese — you must carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it. You can obtain an IDP from your country's automobile association or licensing authority before you travel; it is not issued at the airport. Some rental companies will rent to you without one if your license is in English, but others will refuse. Calling the rental company before you book tells you their specific rule.
Bring your passport. Rental companies use it to verify your identity and, in some cases, to check whether you have outstanding traffic violations or unpaid tolls in Italy from a previous visit.
You will need a credit card in your own name — not a debit card, not a card belonging to someone else. The rental company places a hold on the card for the security deposit, usually between €500 and €1,500 depending on the car category. This hold is not a charge; it is released when you return the car undamaged. If you use a debit card, the money is often frozen rather than held, which can leave you without access to your own funds for several days after you return the vehicle.
Have your booking confirmation number ready. If you booked online, print it or save it on your phone. The desk agent will use it to pull up your reservation and confirm the rate you were quoted.
What happens at the rental desk
After you collect your bags, follow signs for "Car Rental" or "Autonoleggio." The desks are grouped together in the arrivals hall. Tell the agent your name and confirmation number. They will verify your documents, explain the insurance options, and show you the car or assign you one from the lot.
Before you drive away, walk around the car with the agent and note any existing damage on the contract — dents, scratches, missing trim, or interior wear. Take photos or video on your phone if the agent allows it. This protects you from being charged for damage you did not cause. The agent will also show you how to operate the lights, wipers, and any unfamiliar controls, and will explain where the fuel door and spare tire are located.
Ask about the fuel policy. Most rentals are "full to full" — you pick up the car with a full tank and return it full. Some companies offer "full to empty," where you pay for a full tank upfront and return the car empty. The second option is usually more expensive per liter but saves you time at a gas station before returning the car. Confirm which applies to your booking.
Check that the GPS or navigation system works, and ask whether it is included or if you need to rent one separately. Many modern rental cars have built-in systems, but older ones may not. If you plan to use your phone for navigation, confirm that the car has a USB port or 12-volt outlet to charge it.
Driving in Italy and around Milan
Italian traffic rules differ from those in many other countries. Speed limits in towns and villages are 50 km/h unless otherwise posted. On regional roads, the limit is 90 km/h. On highways (autostrade), the limit is 110 km/h for cars under 1,000 cc and 130 km/h for larger cars. Fines for speeding are steep — €170 or more — and are often issued by automated cameras rather than police officers, so you may not know about them until after you return home.
Most highways in Italy charge tolls. You will receive a ticket when you enter and pay when you exit, either at a staffed booth or at an automated machine that accepts cash and cards. Keep your ticket safe; you cannot exit without it. Budget roughly €0.10 per kilometer for highway tolls.
Parking in Milan's city center (the Zona a Traffico Limitato, or ZTL) requires a permit or payment. Rental cars do not have permits, so you will be fined if you drive into the ZTL without paying. Use public parking garages or street parking in permitted zones outside the ZTL. Parking apps like EasyPark or PagoPa let you pay for street parking by phone.
Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers. Children under 12 or shorter than 150 cm must use a child seat or booster. Headlights must be on at all times, even during the day. Carrying a reflective vest, warning triangle, and spare bulbs is required by law; most rental cars include these in the trunk.
Insurance and damage coverage
The rental company will offer you collision damage waiver (CDW) and theft protection. CDW covers damage to the car if you are in an accident; without it, you are liable for the full repair cost. Theft protection covers loss if the car is stolen. Both are optional but strongly recommended.
Check whether your personal auto insurance or credit card covers rental cars abroad. Some do; many do not. If your home policy covers rentals in Europe, you may not need to buy the rental company's CDW. Call your insurer before you travel to confirm. If you do buy CDW from the rental company, read the fine print: most policies have a deductible (often €500 to €1,000) that you pay if there is damage, and some exclude damage from specific causes like theft or vandalism.
Damage from road debris, potholes, or undercarriage contact is often not covered by standard CDW. Some companies offer "super CDW" or "premium coverage" that reduces or eliminates the deductible and covers more types of damage. This costs more but may be worth it if you are unfamiliar with Italian roads.
Take photos of the car's condition before you leave the lot and again when you return it. If there is damage you did not cause, you will need evidence to dispute the charge.
Returning the car and avoiding extra charges
Return the car on the date and time specified in your contract. Late returns are charged by the hour or day, sometimes at a rate higher than the daily rental rate. If you are running late, call the rental company as soon as you know.
Return the car with a full tank of fuel if your contract is "full to full." If you return it with less fuel, the company will charge you for a fill-up at a premium price — often €1.50 to €2.00 per liter, well above what you would pay at a gas station. Fill up at a station near the airport or city location before you return the car.
Return the car in the same condition you received it. Normal wear — light scratches, minor interior marks — is expected. Damage beyond that will be charged to your credit card. The company will send you an invoice weeks or even months after you return the car if damage is discovered during their inspection.
If you return the car to a city location rather than the airport, confirm the address and hours before you book. Some locations close early or on weekends, and returning the car after hours may result in a late fee or prevent you from returning it at all.
Choosing between airport pickup and city locations
Malpensa is about 50 km northwest of central Milan. If you are staying in the city, you might save money by taking a train or bus into Milan and renting a car from a downtown location instead. The Malpensa Express train takes 40 minutes to reach Milan's central station (Stazione Centrale) and costs around €13. Several rental companies have desks near the station.
However, if you are picking up the car when ready after landing and driving out of Milan, airport pickup is more convenient and often costs the same or less when you factor in train fare and the time to reach a city location.
Compare prices for both options before you book. Some companies charge a drop-off fee if you pick up at the airport and return in the city, or vice versa. Others do not. The total cost — rental rate plus any drop-off fee plus transportation to the rental location — determines which option is cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an international driving permit if my license is in English?
No. If your license is issued in English and uses Latin characters, most rental companies will accept it without an IDP. However, some companies require an IDP regardless of language. Call the rental company before you book to confirm their specific requirement.
What if I get a speeding ticket or toll violation while driving the rental car?
The fine is issued to the rental company, which will forward it to you along with an administrative fee. Pay it promptly; unpaid fines can prevent you from renting in Italy again and may result in legal action. Some rental companies offer violation protection insurance that covers these fees, but it is not standard.
Can I drive the rental car to other countries like Switzerland or France?
Yes, but you must inform the rental company before you pick up the car. Some companies charge a cross-border fee or require additional insurance. You will also need a vignette (toll sticker) for Switzerland and may need to pay tolls in France. Confirm all requirements and costs with the rental company when you book.
What if the car breaks down while I am driving?
Call the rental company's roadside information number when ready. The number is on your contract and on a sticker inside the car. Do not attempt repairs yourself. The company will arrange a tow truck or send a replacement vehicle. You are not responsible for mechanical breakdowns that occur during normal use.
Is it cheaper to book through a third-party website or directly with the rental company?
Prices vary by day and by company. Third-party sites like Kayak, Rentalcars, or Costco Travel sometimes show lower rates, but read the cancellation policy carefully — some third-party bookings cannot be modified or cancelled without a penalty. Booking directly with the company often gives you more flexibility and the same or similar price.