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Car Hire In Brindisi, Italy: Competitive Prices And A Practical UK Traveller’s Guide

Pick up at Brindisi Airport (BDS) or in town and explore Puglia at your own pace, with straightforward advice on insurance, deposits, fuel policies and the small-print that affects the final price.

Updated Traveller Essentials
Brindisi Car Hire Guide For UK Travellers
Hiring a car in Brindisi is one of the easiest ways to reach Puglia’s beaches, white towns and countryside without relying on limited rural public transport. Brindisi is compact and quick to drive out of, and the road network makes day trips to places like Ostuni, Lecce, Alberobello and the Salento coast realistic. For travellers from the United Kingdom, the main things to plan for are driving on the right, ensuring your licence and documents meet Italy’s rules, understanding ZTL (limited traffic) zones, and choosing a fuel and insurance setup that fits your itinerary and budget.
Alamo
Avis
National
Dollar
Thrifty
Budget
+ more
Brindisi Airport (BDS) – Car Rental Area
The most popular pick-up point for UK arrivals. Car hire desks are typically in or near the arrivals area, with vehicles collected from a nearby car park. Pros: longest opening hours, widest choice of vehicles and suppliers, quickest onward travel to the SS16 and main routes. Cons: airport surcharges may apply, queues can form around flight arrival peaks, and inspections/deposit checks may feel stricter than in-town.
Brindisi Centrale (Main Railway Station) Area
Convenient if you arrive by train or prefer to avoid airport pick-up. Pros: easy access from central accommodation, often calmer pick-up experience. Cons: fewer suppliers and vehicle categories than the airport, limited out-of-hours service, and you may need to drive through busier city streets soon after collection.
Brindisi Port / Waterfront Area
Useful for ferry passengers or cruise/waterfront stays. Pros: close to the harbour and many central hotels, good for combining a city break with onward driving. Cons: parking and traffic can be more pressured, and nearby ZTL restrictions may apply depending on the exact streets—double-check your route and hotel access instructions.
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Brindisi Car Hire: Your Passport to Puglia Adventures

Drive from Brindisi through Puglia's whitewashed hill towns, golden beaches and ancient olive groves. Find the right rental for any Salento road trip and discover more popular choices.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Coastal Salento Drives

Convertible

Sun-Soaked & Scenic
4
2
Auto

The Adriatic coast from Brindisi to Otranto and country lanes through olive groves beg for an open top. A convertible suits tight seaside car parks and adds sea-breeze style to the journey. Puglia enjoys reliably warm, dry weather from May to September, making roof-down driving genuinely pleasurable. A popular choice for Salento road trips.

Family Puglia Tour

SUV

Spacious & Versatile
5
3
Auto

A mid-size SUV handles Puglia's varied terrain comfortably, from coastal SS379 bends to unpaved tracks leading to masserias and trulli. Higher ground clearance helps on beach access roads at Torre Guaceto and Punta Prosciutto. Generous boot space suits suitcases, beach gear and local market shopping. British families touring Salento prefer this reassuring, elevated driving position.

Historic Town Streets

Small

Nimble & ZTL-Smart
5
2
Auto

Brindisi, Lecce and Ostuni all have medieval centres with restricted ZTL zones, narrow lanes and tight parking. A small hatchback slips through vicoli, dodges ZTL fines by being easier to park outside, and keeps fuel costs low on longer Salento drives. Perfect for couples or two travellers wanting stress-free Italian town exploration.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pick-Up
City Pick-Up

Brindisi Airport (BDS): Fastest Start For Puglia Road Trips

Airport pick-up suits most UK travellers because it’s the simplest ‘land and drive’ option: longer desk hours, more vehicle choice (including automatics if you book early), and immediate access to main roads. It can be slightly pricier due to airport fees, and you should allow extra time for paperwork, deposit pre-authorisation on your credit card, and a thorough vehicle check at busy times.

Brindisi Airport (BDS) Car Hire – Trusted Reviews Inside

Read verified reviews from real renters at Brindisi Airport. Choose with confidence for your perfect Italian road trip.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
LocautoBest Overall
4.7
198K+ reviews
$771.7 mi from Brindisi DowntownLow deposit
  • Friendly professional staff
  • Quality modern vehicles
  • Quick efficient service
Sicily by carBest Overall
4.4
46,000+ reviews
$961.7 mi from Brindisi Downtown
$235 - $1,174
  • Fast efficient service
  • Brand new cars
  • Friendly professional staff
Viaggiare rentBest Overall
4.4
8900+ reviews
$46Free shuttle bus
$822
  • Friendly and professional staff
  • Quick and efficient service
  • Great value for money
SixtBest Overall
4.2
1700+ reviews
$121In terminal, Walk to counter
$910 - $1,197
  • Professional and courteous staff
  • Excellent rental experience
  • Efficient pickup and return process
AutoviaBest Overall
4.0
27000+ reviews
$65In terminal, Walk to counter
$587 - $822
  • Professional and friendly staff
  • Fast and efficient service
  • Good value for money
Felirent
3.5
200+ reviews
$53Free shuttle bus
$822 - $1,292
  • Friendly professional staff members
  • Brand new clean vehicles
  • Fast efficient service
NoleggiareBest Overall
3.5
20,000+ reviews
$58In terminal, Walk to counter
$705 - $2,348
  • Friendly professional staff
  • Easy booking process
  • Modern clean vehicles
Budget
3.5
4 reviews
$88Shuttle bus
$235 - $872
  • Airport pickup available
  • Professional and courteous staff
  • Well-maintained vehicles
DrivaliaBest Overall
3.2
15400+ reviews
$641.7 mi from Brindisi Downtown
$470 - $1,174
  • Professional and friendly staff
  • Fast and efficient service
  • Smooth rental experience
National
2.9
25 reviews
$102In terminal, Walk to counter
$1,064 - $1,295
  • Staff helpful and professional
  • Easy pick up and drop off
  • Clean vehicles and good service

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental
Last updated: Jun. 23 2026
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
An Englishman's Guide to Italian Petrol Stations
Navigate Italian petrol stations with ease using this comprehensive guide. Learn about the two pricing systems, the importance of choosing the right fuel, and essential phrases for a smooth refuelling experience.
View details
Brindisi & Puglia Car Hire Insurance — Essential Guide for British Road Trips
A comprehensive guide for British travellers collecting a hire car at Brindisi Salento Airport and touring Puglia. Explains CDW, TP and the crucial concept of excess, ZTL fines, narrow streets and road risks, and compares rental-company super-cover with third‑party excess reimbursement. Includes practical checklist to choose cover, manage credit-card holds and avoid costly surprises so you can enjoy your Puglian road trip with confidence.
View details

Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Airport locations dominate Italy car rentals, capturing over 60% of pickups; Brindisi Airport serves as key gateway to Puglia. Online bookings hold 54.76% market share, with leisure travellers comprising 64.11% of rentals."

Booking Patterns

"SUVs/MPVs are the fastest-growing segment at 7.54% CAGR, while mini/economy cars lead with 39.38% share. Short-term rentals dominate at 72.12%, with average rental duration extending from 4.2 to 5.7 days in 2024."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Mordor Intelligence - Italy Car Rental Market
  • Verified Market Research - Italy Car Rental Market
  • Mordor Intelligence - Italy Car Rental Market
  • Verified Market Research - Italy Car Rental Market

Road Trips

One-way rental routes starting from Brindisi

Plan your ultimate road trip with these popular one-way routes departing from Brindisi

Drive Through Italy's Heel: Essential Brindisi Travel Guide

Your complete guide to navigating Italy's stunning Puglia region by car, from local driving rules to fuel costs and car rentals in Brindisi

LANGUAGES

Italian

CURRENCY

EUR

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+39

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$57 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

7 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

50 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

130 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.05% (Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$2.07/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$1.95/L - $2.58/L

Brindisi Car Hire & Driving Guide

Essential driving tips and car rental FAQs for exploring Italy's Adriatic gateway

Can I drive in Italy with my home country's licence, or do I need an International Driving Permit?
EU-issued licences are valid directly. Non-EU licence holders need an IDP (International Driving Permit) alongside their original licence—without it, you'll be refused at the hire desk. The IDP costs around £5-10 in the UK and is valid for 12 months. Some rental companies may accept a certified English translation instead, but an IDP is the safer option. Apply via the AA or RAC before you travel.
How do I pay for motorway tolls in Italy—will I need a Telepass device?
Italy's autostrada network operates a mix of fixed tolls and pay-and-go booths. At most exits, you take a ticket on entry and pay on exit (cash, Visa, Mastercard). Avoid the "Telepass" lanes unless you have the device—entering them without one triggers a penalty. Hiring a Telepass adapter costs roughly €3-5 per day but saves time if you're doing significant motorway driving. Budget approximately €0.08-0.12 per kilometre on standard routes.
What are ZTL zones and how do I avoid an expensive fine?
Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL) zones are restricted areas in Italian city centres where only authorised vehicles may enter. Brindisi's historic centre has camera-controlled ZTL gates. Hire cars are NOT automatically exempt—you need confirmation from your rental company that your vehicle is registered as permitted. Driving into a ZTL incurs fines of €80-160, often sent to the rental company who will charge your card. Always check with your hire provider before entering any old-town area.
I'm 23—will I pay a young driver surcharge, and how much?
Most Italian rental companies set the minimum age at 21, with an upper age limit typically around 70-75. Drivers under 25 pay a "young driver" surcharge (under-age driver fee) of roughly €20-35 per day on top of the base rate. At 23, you can definitely hire a car but expect to pay this premium. Some UK-based brokers include this in their quote; check the small print—otherwise you'll be charged at the counter.
What fuel does my car need, and should I choose full-to-full or pre-purchase?
Puglia has adequate petrol station coverage, though rural stops between towns can be sparse. Always check your hire vehicle's fuel type—petrol is "benzina" and diesel is "gasolio". Diesel cars are common among rentals and cheaper at the pump (roughly €1.45/litre vs €1.65/litre for petrol). Most companies insist on full-to-full: collect with a full tank, return full to avoid a refuelling mark-up of 15-20% over pump prices.
Are there any dangerous roads or special driving conditions I should prepare for?
Brindisi itself is straightforward to drive, but Puglia's SS16 and SS7 are two-lane roads with aggressive local drivers and occasional speed cameras hidden near towns. In summer, coastal routes near Ostuni and Polignano a Mare become very busy. Winter fog is common on inland roads November-February, reducing visibility dramatically. Italian drivers frequently exceed speed limits and overtake on solid white lines—stay alert and don't assume others will follow the rules.

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