Discover Monza by hire car
Monza is a large city in Lombardy in northern Italy, with a population of just under 123,000 in an area of just over 33 square kilometres.
The old town attracts visitors with a Gothic cathedral, a royal villa and a magnificent park, among other things.
Friends of motor sports will also be happy in Monza. The Autodromo Nazionale Monza not only hosts the “Italian Grand Prix”, it also regularly hosts spectacular races.
In the surrounding area you will then find many more delightful destinations that are best explored by hire car. For rental and travel we have compiled a few tips.
Taking over the hire car
Many travellers reach Monza via Milan airport. Hire car agencies can be found there in the two arrival terminals. However, before you book your hire car, you should make sure that your rental company also operates its office right at the airport. If he is just nearby, you may have to wait a long time for a shuttle to take you to your hire car. This will cost you valuable travel time.
Booking the right hire car
If you want to explore the magnificent towns around Monza, you should go for a small hire car. This will help you get through the often turbulent traffic and find a parking space more easily.
Hire car prices
In Milan in particular, but also in Monza, you can often book hire cars at surprisingly cheap rates. However, if it gets too cheap, be careful. Then often additional costs are hidden in the rental conditions, which make the cheap offer expensive in the end.
We have marked hire cars that we think are good value for money with the words “Good deal” or “Excellent deal”. Just use our price comparison.
hire car price comparison Monza
Insuring the car properly
If there is an accident on narrow country roads or in the hectic traffic of the cities, you are best insured with a comprehensive insurance without deductible. With liability, you should pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros.
Because if there is personal injury in an accident, it quickly becomes very expensive. If the sum insured of your rental company does not seem to be sufficient, you have the possibility to take out an additional Mallorca policy. It offers further protection. Your insurance company will be happy to advise you.
age limit
You must be 19 or 21 to hire car from almost all rental companies in Monza and Milan. And drivers under 25 are often charged an additional fee. Check with your hire car company for terms and conditions before renting the car.
Accessories
In order to find your way around the Italian cities around Monza, a navigation device is an ideal aid. However, as many hire cars are not automatically equipped with navigation devices, you will need to order these and other accessories, such as child seats, separately from your rental company. Make your reservation in good time so that the equipment you want is available on the day of the rental.
Language barrier
It is quite possible that staff at the hire car stations in Monza and Milan speak poor English. Make sure you know the phone number of the Italian head office of your hire car company before you travel. There you can ask for translation help if necessary.
Free kilometers
The variety of delightful destinations around Monza makes it advisable to book a car with all kilometres free. This will allow you to enjoy your excursions without any worries.
Remember the tank regulation
Make sure to book with a rental company where you pick up the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank. This is because some rental companies require renters to purchase the first tank of gas for an expensive additional fee. The car can then be returned empty. You can save yourself this fee.
Bail
Some rental companies actually charge the deposit due for the hire car to your credit card. In this case, it may take longer for the money to be transferred back to your account after you return the car. Rather, book with hire car companies that only block the amount on your credit card. And make sure your credit line is sufficient to pay the deposit.
Customer Satisfaction Hire Car
Long waiting times and the external condition of the vehicles are complained about by some hire car customers in Milan and Monza. Examine your hire car closely when you pick it up and insist that any defects, such as scratches or dents, are noted in a defects report.
Keep the document safe so that you can prove that you did not cause the damage to the vehicle when you return it. To avoid missing your flight home, allow a generous window of time when returning the car.
Safety hire car
Although most hire cars in Milan and Monza are in roadworthy condition, for your own safety, you should still test the vehicle’s complete lighting system before your first trip.
Also make sure that high visibility vests, warning triangle and first aid kit are on board. Also, test the tread on the tires and do a quick brake test in your rental company’s parking lot.
Sights at Monza
Dom: Baroque frescoes
A city tour could begin at the cathedral. It was built between the 13th and 14th centuries and captivates visitors with its magnificent marble façade. The frescoes with which the interior was painted bring the baroque period to life.
Capella Theodolinde: Ancient Royal Crown
You can see what is believed to be the oldest surviving royal crown in Europe, the “Iron Crown”, in the Capella Theodolinde. It dates back to the ninth century. Already the kings of the Langobards were crowned with this crown. In the treasury of the cathedral you can see other finds from the Longobard period.
Villa Reale: Magnificent Palace
Now you have the opportunity to visit the Villa Reale. The palace was built between 1777 and 1780, with the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa commissioning the construction of the neoclassical palace. Right next to the palace you will also find the Monza Park, which with its 688 hectares even surpasses the Central Park in New York, which only has 349 hectares. In winter, the park can be visited from 07:00 to 18:30. In summer, it is open from 07:00 to 20:00.
Autodromo Nazionale Monza: Legendary Race Track
A trip to the race track completes a visit to Monza. Outside of the racing season, you even have the opportunity to chase around the corners in a Ferrari here on certain dates.
Find a good restaurant
Lovers of typical Lombard cuisine should stop at the restaurant La Polaia. Here you can expect regional specialties, but you can also get a simple pizza.
Find a good hotel
Make a reservation at the Hotel de la Ville. You will stay in a stylish house near the park. The rooms are lovingly decorated and lack no comfort. The hotel belongs to the exclusive circle of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Discover a worthwhile destination in the area
Como: Elegant Old Town
Steer the hire car to Como. You will need just under an hour for the 42 kilometres. In Como, an elegant old town awaits you with a cathedral whose magnificent facade dates back to the 15th century. However, work on the cathedral began as early as 1396.
The former town hall, right next to the cathedral, is also worth a visit. It was built in the 13th century and charms with its Romanesque loggia.
An 11th-century basilica can be found a little outside the city walls. But it’s worth the walk. The Basilica of Sant’Abbondio is considered a prime example of Lombard Romanesque architecture. To finish your visit, you can stroll to the lakeside. Lake Como is one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. Sit on a bench, enjoy the view of the deep blue water and surrounding mountains, and take your time planning which destinations around Monza you will visit next in your hire car.
conclusion
Monza is an ideal base for a hire car trip for those who find Milan too turbulent. The city can be reached in less than an hour from Milan airport by hire car. And the many charming destinations in the surrounding area can also be explored perfectly by car. Our handy price comparison will help you find a suitable hire car for little money.