Looking at renting a car in downtown Palermo on 03/28/2025, returning it to Bari airport on 04/08/2025 (11 days). I see Sicily by Car is by far the cheapest, but also with the worst reviews. Anyone have recent experience using them? Or, any other better recommendations worth considering?
Posted by
2931 posts
We rented from Avis through auto Europe. I was leery of Sicily by car but I do have to tell you that the other couple staying at a BnB with us had been to Sicily several times and had a car from Sicily By Car.
If you have only 11 days, you might consider spending it all in Sicily. We had 16 nights and did not see the entire island.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2480 posts
hey hey 79jonesbk
have you looked at the cost, if any, for a drop off fee, (one way rental from palermo to bari)?
i agree with others to stay in sicily the whole time. a long day to drive which cuts a day of travel, paying for the ferry, how long is wait & how often, cost of gas/petrol, how many stops along the way, tolls, actual time of drving, traffic.
make sure you get an IDP (permit which is mandatory in italy) aaa.com/IDP. you will need your driver's license & permit together when driving. read all the rules, laws, signage, do's and dont's about rental car and italy.
sicily is a big island with lots to see and do. what airport are you departing from? cheapest doesn't mean it's the best, if the reviews are worst why would you rent from them? look at other rental companies and also look at insurance coverage. lots to think about.
have a great and fun time with less stress and worries.
aloha
Posted by
121 posts
Personally I’d stick with Sicily. We had 12 days in 2018 and didn’t even scratch the surface even after doing more than 2000 kilometers of driving. One way rentals are expensive enough not to mention doing one with a ferry crossing, which most rental companies don’t allow.