Car Rentals at Trieste Airport

Trieste Airport is located in north-eastern Italy, approximately 21 miles, or 33 km from the city center of Trieste.  Although a smaller Italian airport, handling only a million passengers per year, it is still considered to be an important international gateway to this area.  Trieste is the capital city of Venezia Giulia, and also the largest city in this province.  The Airport is also known as Ronchi dei Legionari Airport, or Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport, due to its location.  Many passengers arriving at the airport prefer to have their own rented car for transport in and around the city, and there are a few quality car hire companies with rental desks at the airport. 

A List of All Car Rental Companies in or Near Trieste Airport:

• Alamo: 00390481778572
• Auto Europe
• Autovia: +39 0481/756429
• Avis: (39) 0481-777085
• Budget: 29-0481-777085
• Dollar: 0481777025
• Ecovia: +39 0481/756429
• Enterprise: 00390481778572
• Europcar: 39 0481 778920
• Hertz: +39 481777025
• Keddy By Europcar: 39 0481 778920
• Leasys: +39-0481-774836
• Locauto: +39 0481 778572
• Maggiore: 0481-474569
• National: 39-0481-474569
• Optimorent: 0039 0481756429
• Sicily By Car: +39 0481 777118
• Sixt: +39-0481-774 836
• Target: 0039 0481 969517
• Thrifty: 0481777025

Some of the major Trieste car hire companies include Avis, Hertz, Locauto, Maggiore, Sixt, National, Alamo and Auto Europa, as well as Budget, whose vehicles are available from the Avis rental counters.  The rental desks of all these companies can be found in the arrivals hall single terminal building. 

There are some major roads and highways surrounding the airport, and it is therefore quite easy to drive to or from Trieste Airport.  The A4 Venice-Trieste motorway is not far from the airport, only 1 km, or 0.5 miles away.  Motorists can reach Triestina by using the A4 and then the SS 202, and Koper (Slovenia) is reached from the SS 15, Via Flavia.  It is also quite easy to reach Ljubljana (Slovenia) with the SS 58, Carniola highway, or Udine, by using the A23 to reach the Venice-Trieste motorway.  Other areas nearby include Begliano, Dobbia, Monfalcone, Cave di Selz, Staranzano and Fogliano Redipuglia. 

Passengers who have hired a vehicle at Trieste Airport should always obey the road rules in Italy.  Seatbelts must be worn, and speeding and drunk driving can be heavily fined.  The speed limits in Italy are as follows:  130 km/h, 80 mph on highways and motorways, 90 km/h or 55 mph on the open roads, and 50 km/h or 30 mph in towns and residential areas.  The roads are mostly modern, and in a grid-like pattern.  Many of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other, but having a rented car is the best and most private form of transport.  There are some quite appealing attractions in Trieste, such as the 15th century fortress on the hill of San Giusto, remains of historic Roman buildings and several impressive church buildings. 

Passengers at Trieste Airport can hire a vehicle directly from the rental counters at the airport, or in advance, from their chosen company’s website.  Their websites are all comprehensive, offering plenty of information on their vehicles available at Trieste Airport, and their rental procedures and policies.  They also display pictures of example vehicles in each car category.  From most companies, customers will choose a vehicle category, rather than a car by its specific make and model, however, there are certain car hire companies which do have vehicles that can be booked in this way.  Hertz has three collections for this purpose, and Budget offers their Street Fleet vehicles in ‘My Choice’ that can be selected by make and model.  It is always recommended to book your vehicle in advance, so that you arrive at the airport knowing your ideal car is ready and waiting for you.  Additional items of equipment can also be reserved in advance, such as car safety seats for young children and satellite navigation systems.  Sixt is among few car hire companies that offer a GPS unit which is included in the rental price of certain vehicles.  This is a great option if you are unfamiliar with the Trieste area.

The primary renter of a vehicle in Italy is required to be at least 21 years of age.  A valid drivers license must be presented when collecting the vehicle, and this should have been held by the renter in his/her country of residence for at least one year prior to the rental date.  In some cases, foreign drivers may be required to have an International Driving Permit as well.  A ‘young driver fee’ applies to renters who are aged between 21 and 25, and this is a daily rate applicable to each underage driver registered on the rental contract, up until a maximum of ten rental days.  Younger drivers are sometimes also not permitted to hire certain larger or specialty type vehicles.  Additional drivers on the rental contract also incur an extra daily fee, and must meet the same requirements as the primary renter.    The primary renter should have a major credit card in his/her name in order to pay for the rental, as debit cards are generally not accepted.  Major credit cards usually accepted by car hire companies include American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard /Eurocard and Visa.  For some vehicle categories a primary renter is required to have two major credit cards in his/her name. 

The car hire companies all offer reliable and friendly service, and a wide variety of cars and convertibles to hire, including even larger sized vehicles which are great for groups of travelers, as they seat nine or more people.  Further information is available from the information desks in the passenger terminal at the airport.