Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Automobile Associations
The Italian automobile association is called the
Automobile Club Italiano
(
www.aci.it
) or ACI for short. It offers
24-hour roadside assistance ( 803 116 or 800 116800 if calling from a non-Italian mobile phone). You do not have to
join but will have to pay a fee of at least €100 if you require roadside help.
Fuel & Spare Parts
Petrol stations are located on the main autostrade and state roads, as well as in cities and towns. The bigger ones are of-
ten open 24 hours but smaller stations generally open 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday with a lunchtime break. Many
stations also offer self-service. To use the self-service pumps, you'll need to insert a bill (in denominations of €5, €10,
€20 or €50) into a machine and then press the number of the pump you're using.
The cost of fuel in Sicily is high - at the time of research €1.74 for a litre of unleaded petrol
(benzina senza piombo)
and €1.63 for diesel
(gasolio)
.
If you have mechanical problems, the nearest petrol station should advise a local mechanic, although few have work-
shops on-site.
Hire
The major car-rental firms are all represented at Palermo and Catania airports and in major cities. Agencies in seaside
resorts also rent out scooters and motorcycles.
Avis
(
06 452 10 83 91;
www.avisautonoleggio.it
)
Europcar
(
199 30 70 30;
www.europcar.it
)
Hertz
(
02 694 30 019;
www.hertz.it
)
Maggiore
(
199 15 11 20;
www.maggiore.it
)
Sicily by Car
(
800 33 44 40;
www.sicilybycar.it
)
Sixt
( 06 65 21 11;
www.sixt.it
)
A small car, for example a Fiat Panda, will cost approximately €65/300 per day/week; for a scooter bank on about €30
to €35 per day. If possible, try to arrange your rental in advance as you'll get much better rates. Similarly, airport agen-
cies charge more than city- centre branches.
To hire a car, you'll need to be over 21 or more (23 or more for some companies) and have a credit card; for a scooter
the minimum age is generally 18. When hiring, always make sure you understand what's covered in the rental agree-
ment (unlimited mileage, tax, insurance, collision-damage waiver and so on) and what your liabilities are. It is also a
good idea to get fully comprehensive insurance to cover any untoward bumps or scrapes that are quite likely to happen.
If you are hiring from a reputable company, it will usually give you an emergency number to call in the case of break-
down.
Most hire cars have manual gear transmission.
Parking
Parking in Sicilian towns and cities can be difficult. Blue lines by the side of the road denote pay-and-display parking -
buy tickets at the meters or from tobacconists - with rates ranging from €0.50 to €1 per hour. Typically, charges are ap-
plied between 8.30am and 1.30pm and then from 3pm and 8pm - outside these hours you can leave your car free. You'll
