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A rental car gives freedom: the Algarve beaches, the Amalfi road, the villages of Andalusia. But each country has its own rules, and the fines often arrive by post months after you are home – through the rental company, with an extra fee.
Italy: the ZTL
Almost every Italian historic centre is a “zona a traffico limitato”, a limited traffic zone watched by cameras. Rome, Florence, Milan and even small towns use them. Drive past the sign without a permit and a camera records your plate – every time you pass. If your hotel is inside a ZTL, ask the hotel to register your plate before you arrive.
Portugal: electronic tolls
Some Portuguese motorways have no toll booths at all – only overhead gantries that read the car. Rental companies usually offer a toll device for a small daily fee. Take it: without it, paying later is complicated.
Spain: easy roads, hard parking
Spain has many free motorways and some toll roads where you pay by card. The problem is the city: in Madrid and Barcelona, low-emission zones and blue-zone street parking make driving in the centre more trouble than it is worth. Park in a public car park and walk.
Greece: tolls and islands
On the mainland, toll booths take cards and cash. On Santorini roads are narrow and parking near Oia and Fira is very limited in summer; a small car – or a driver – is much easier than a big SUV.
Your licence: many rental companies accept Gulf driving licences, but some countries and police officers expect an International Driving Permit together with your licence. It is cheap and quick to get at home – get one before you travel.
When a driver is the smarter choice
For city days, airport arrivals with lots of luggage, and long days with many stops, a car with a local driver often costs less than people think once you add parking, tolls and fines. Many of our guests combine both: a driver in the cities, a rental car for a few days on the coast.
