Compare Brindisi car hire

Located in the heel of Italy, the picturesque port city of Brindisi is not only the perfect destination for a quiet European getaway, it’s also a great base for exploring the country’s stunning Puglia region.

For a dreamy Italian road trip at your own pace, add a hire car to your holiday. You can either pick one up from Brindisi Airport (BDS) or in the city centre. Visit Lecce for baroque architecture, Ostuni for whitewashed houses and the Torre Guaceto nature reserve for its beach.

If you’re travelling to Brindisi from elsewhere in Italy, or you simply don’t need a hire car right from the start of your Brindisi adventure, the city has several local rental companies to choose from. They include:

• Go2Rent: +39 345 509 8665
• Easy Rent Brindisi: +39 333 226 5089
• DZ Car Rental: +39 349 351 9296

Many city-based car hire companies in Brindisi will also collect you from the airport or train station. Some will even bring your car right to you.

Once you’re behind the wheel, you can explore Brindisi’s historic old town, the majestic Castello Alfonsino, and the pretty waterfront promenade. It’s also easy to reach the SS16 highway from the city centre. This road runs along the Adriatic coast and connects Brindisi to the rest of Puglia and its coastal towns, hilltop villages and beaches.

Officially known as Brindisi Papola Casale Airport, Brindisi Airport (BDS) is home to several international and national car hire companies. They include:

• Europcar: +39 083 141 2061
• Hertz: +39 083 118 228 43
• Avis: +39 083 141 8826
• Sixt: +39 029 475 7979
• Loran Italia Rental: +39 340 061 2603
• Locauto: +39 083 141 2882

Getting to your car hire provider at BDS Airport is straightforward. Just follow the rent-a-car signs out of the terminal building to the car rental area.

Most of the car hire providers at Brindisi Airport open between 8am and 11pm, with many offering 24-hour returns for maximum flexibility (check before you book to confirm). If you need to refuel before returning your vehicle, there are petrol stations on the main roads around the airport.

Once you have your keys, it’s around a 15-minute drive into Brindisi city centre from the airport. The main airport roads will connect you to the SS16 Adriatic coast highway, which also leads into the heart of Italy’s Puglia region.

Puglia has a well-connected road network that runs through Brindisi, which means getting around the region is generally smooth sailing (traffic permitting). The SS16 highway, for instance, runs along the Adriatic coast, linking Brindisi to Bari, Lecce and Otranto.

Smaller roads connect you to rural and less-populated areas. However, be prepared for tractors and slower traffic on single-lane routes, particularly in summer. A compact car rental is ideal if you plan on navigating narrow roads on your Brindisi holiday. Opt for an automatic for an easier drive.

Parking can be challenging in Brindisi’s popular tourist areas, so look for blue lines for pay-and-display parking and white lines for free spots. Watch out for Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) signs (white circle, red border) too, especially in historic centres. These are strictly restricted to cars with permission to enter – driving in these zones without a permit generally results in a fine.

Speed limits are typically 50km/h (approximately 31 mph) in towns, 90km/h (approximately 56 mph) on local roads and 130km/h (approximately 81 mph) on major highways.

Finally, it’s a good idea to carry euros on you for fuel because not all self-service petrol stations accept all credit cards.

• Min. age required to hire a car: Usually 21 years
• Which side of the road: Right
• Credit card requirements: Many require a credit card with sufficient funds

Any additional requirements: Expect a young driver surcharge if you're under 25