Despite the name, Sicily by Car isn’t a regional operator limited to the island it’s named after — it’s a nationwide Italian rental company with a strong presence at Fiumicino, and one worth knowing about if unlimited mileage and a competitive economy-category rate matter more to you than a big international logo.
A National Company With a Regional Name
Sicily by Car was founded in 1963, making it one of the older domestic rental companies still operating in Italy, and it’s headquartered in Bolzano — in the country’s far north, nowhere near Sicily itself. The name reflects where the company started decades ago rather than where it operates today; it now runs locations across the mainland, including a well-established desk at Fiumicino, alongside its original Sicilian branches. If you assumed from the name that it only made sense to book them for a Sicily trip, that’s a common but incorrect assumption worth correcting before you rule them out for Rome.
Where to Find Them at Fiumicino
Like most of the mid-size operators at FCO, Sicily by Car’s desk sits within the shared rental-car facility connected to the terminals — the same general building most travelers reach via the “Autonoleggio / Car Rental” signage rather than a separate off-site shuttle stop. Traveler reviews consistently rate their desk as easy to locate, which matters more than it sounds like it should after a long flight when you just want to find the right counter without wandering the terminal.
Fleet, Pricing, and What Unlimited Mileage Actually Means Here
The fleet leans economy and compact, which lines up with where Sicily by Car tends to be competitive on price — this isn’t the company to book if you want a convertible or a premium SUV, but if a straightforward, reliable small car is genuinely what you need, it’s a reasonable candidate to cross-check against the bigger names. Unlimited mileage shows up on many of their deals, though not universally, so it’s worth confirming on your specific booking rather than assuming it by default — the same caveat applies to nearly every operator that advertises it as a headline feature. They also list electric and hybrid options in their inventory, giving you a lower-emissions choice without needing to specifically hunt for an EV-only specialist.
| What you’re looking for | Fits Sicily by Car | Better elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest rate on economy/compact | Often competitive | — |
| Genuine unlimited mileage (confirm per booking) | Common on many deals | — |
| Premium, SUV, or specialty vehicle | Not their focus | Sixt |
| National domestic network, one-way flexibility | Present across mainland Italy | Locauto has a larger footprint |
| EV or hybrid rental | Available, worth checking availability | — |
How They Compare to Other Italian Domestic Options
Sicily by Car sits in similar territory to Locauto as an Italian-run alternative to the big international names — both tend to be competitively priced and both have decades of experience specifically on Italian roads and logistics rather than adapting a global template. The practical difference is network size and specialty: Locauto has grown into a much larger multi-brand operation (also running Enterprise, National, and Alamo in Italy) with over a hundred locations including smaller cities, while Sicily by Car has stayed more tightly focused on its core fleet and pricing rather than expanding into brand partnerships or a van/commercial line. If your priority is simply the lowest reasonable rate on a standard economy car, it’s worth quoting both before deciding.
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Booking Tips
As with virtually every operator at Fiumicino, you’ll need a valid driving licence, passport, and a credit card in the lead driver’s name for the security deposit — Sicily by Car isn’t generally listed among the debit-card-friendly options at the airport, so plan your payment method accordingly. If your licence isn’t from an EU country or isn’t in the Latin alphabet, bring an International Driving Permit as backup documentation, even if it isn’t always checked at the counter.
Because Sicily by Car competes primarily on price in the economy and compact categories, those categories can sell out earlier during peak season than their overall fleet size might suggest — if you’re booking for July or August, don’t leave it to the last minute assuming smaller operators always have room simply because they’re less famous.
Insurance Considerations
The pattern here matches the rest of the industry: the online rate typically covers basic third-party liability only, with collision damage waiver and theft protection offered as an add-on at the counter. Our guide to car rental insurance in Italy breaks down what each layer actually protects against, which is worth reading before you’re at the desk deciding under time pressure — the excess amounts and what’s actually covered can vary meaningfully between the basic and full options regardless of which company you’re renting from.
A Few Questions Worth Asking Before You Book
Is Sicily by Car reliable if it’s not a household name outside Italy? It’s been operating since 1963 and has an established, long-standing presence at major Italian airports, including Fiumicino — reliability tends to come down more to the specific booking and season than to brand recognition alone.
Do they only operate in Sicily? No — despite the name, they run locations across mainland Italy as well, including Rome, and have for years.
Is unlimited mileage guaranteed? Not automatically — it appears on many deals but isn’t universal, so confirm it’s included on your specific reservation rather than assuming based on general marketing.
Who Sicily by Car Actually Suits
Travelers who want a straightforward economy or compact rental at a competitive rate, and who don’t need a premium vehicle class or a large multi-city network, are the clearest fit. If you specifically want an EV without paying a premium for it, it’s worth checking their availability directly. For anything beyond a standard car — a larger SUV, a convertible, or a one-way trip spanning multiple smaller Italian cities — one of the larger domestic or international operators is likely to serve you better.
