Hire Car Bergamo Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Exploring Bergamo by Hire Car

Bergamo, located far to the north of Italy in Lombardy, has a lot to offer visitors.

Here you’ll find a listed old town with charming churches, pretty alleyways and plenty of shops.

And the restaurants are also well worth the visit.

Bergamo is famous for its delicious polenta. In addition, the surrounding countryside offers many delightful destinations that can be easily explored by hire car.

Taking over the hire car

You’ll find a selection of hire car companies right at Bergamo airport. You should only make sure that your rental company is also there. After all, if their office is just a short distance from the airport, you may have to wait longer for a shuttle to take you there.

Booking the right hire car

In Bergamo and also in the towns in the surrounding area, parking spaces are often in short supply. So it’s better to book a small and compact car that will allow you to use tight parking spaces.

Insuring the car properly

The Italians’ love of risky driving manoeuvres means that accidents can happen quickly in Bergamo too. If your hire car has fully comprehensive insurance without excess, you are well insured in the event of a claim. With liability, it is important to pay attention to the amount of the deductible.

It should be at least one million euros, so that you have at least some protection if people are injured in an accident or if several vehicles are involved. If the coverage amount of your hire car seems too low, you can additionally take out a Majorca policy with your insurance company for additional protection.

Hire car prices

Hire car in Bergamo is often available at surprisingly low prices. But if the offer seems too cheap, you should study the rental conditions carefully. Often there are hidden costs that turn a cheap hire car into an expensive offer.

Hire cars that offer a good price-performance ratio in our eyes, we have marked with the note “Good offer” or “Excellent offer”. Simply use our handy price comparison.

hire car price comparison Bergamo

age limit

You must be 21 years old to hire car with most rental companies in Bergamo. And some charge drivers younger than 25 or 23. Check with your hire car company’s terms and conditions before renting your car.

Accessories

Accessories such as child seats or navigation equipment must always be ordered separately from your rental company. Make a reservation in good time. Only in this way can you be sure that the desired items will be available on the day of the rental.

Language barrier

In Bergamo, you may find that staff at a hire car station speak poor English. Take precautions and write down the phone number of your rental company’s Italian headquarters before you travel. There, with luck, you’ll find a staff member who can interpret.

Free kilometers

If you only want to explore Bergamo and the nearest surroundings, it may be more economical for you to book a hire car with limited kilometers.

But if you want to explore the charming surrounding countryside extensively, you should go for a car with all kilometres free.

Tank control

There are hire car companies in Bergamo that require you to buy the first tank of fuel for a service charge. For this you can then return the car empty. With this variant you always pay on it, because on the one hand you have to pay the service fee, on the other hand you will never manage to return the car with a completely empty tank.

In addition, most tour operators charge significantly more for fuel than the gas stations in the area. So it’s best to book with a hire car company right away, where you will receive the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank.

Bail

Hire car companies that actually charge the deposit due to the credit card often take a long time to refund it after the vehicle is returned.

It’s better to go with rental companies that just block the amount on your credit card. Make sure your credit line is sufficient to pay the bill before you travel.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Although most customers are quite satisfied with the hire car in Bergamo, some complain that they were sold unnecessary additional insurances on the spot. If you have already adequately insured your vehicle when booking, which we strongly advise, you should refuse to purchase additional insurance in Bergamo.

The external condition of some vehicles also gives cause for complaint. Always have dents or scratches on the car confirmed in writing and insist that a member of staff at the rental station confirms to you when you return the car that no further damage has been done to the vehicle. Another point of criticism is the sometimes long waiting times at the hire car counters. Plan a generous time window, especially when returning your car, so as not to miss your plane or train.

Safety hire car

Most rental vehicles in Bergamo are absolutely roadworthy. However, there can always be exceptions, so you should test your vehicle’s lights, including brake lights and turn signals, before your first trip.

Also, do a quick brake test in the rental company’s parking lot and see if there are any warning triangles, safety vests and first-aid kits in the car.

Sights in Bergamo

Mighty city wall and Romanesque church
Perhaps stroll along the city wall first to get an idea of the size of the old town. The wall dates back to the 16th century and is completely preserved.

After that, you can pay a visit to the Romanesque church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Construction began as early as 1137. Visitors are particularly captivated by the magnificent carpets that serve as wall decorations in the interior.

Piazza Vecchia: Gothic Town Hall
As you stroll on to Piazza Vecchia, you’ll have the opportunity to see the city’s ancient town hall. It was built towards the end of the 12th century and transports visitors back to the Middle Ages with its Gothic architectural style. Afterwards, it is worth visiting the harmonious Piazza Vecchia. In the middle there is a charming lion fountain. This is where half the city meets towards evening, in keeping with the motto “see and be seen”.

Stroll through the alleyways and browse the small shops that keep surprisingly popping up in the side streets. Many have adapted their range to the medieval atmosphere of the town, and there are delightful souvenirs to discover. Don’t miss exploring the vibrant new town either. This is where the heart of modern Bergamo beats.

Finding the good restaurant

Bergamo is famous for its good food all over Italy. We recommend the Antica Osteria del Vino Buono. Here you can get local specialties at fair prices. Especially the polenta you should try.

Discover a good hotel

In a city with such a rich history, you should also stay in a historic hotel. We recommend the Agnello d’Oro. You’ll stay in a 17th-century house and enjoy courteous service and a central location.

Sights in the surrounding area

Milan: Mondane Metropole
For a day trip you should go to Milan with a hire car. For the 53 kilometers you need in about an hour. Italy’s second largest city, with a population of over 1.3 million, has endless things to offer visitors. From charming museums to world-renowned historical buildings and sophisticated boutiques, it has it all. Start your stroll at Milan Cathedral. Construction began in 1386, and the house of worship was consecrated in 1572 but not finally completed until 1965.

The mighty building is considered the fourth largest church in the world. Already the variously decorated facade with its mixture of Gothic and Baroque impresses the visitors. The splendour then continues in the interior. Admire the mighty nave with its richly decorated marble floors and the colorful stained glass windows, which give the room a magical illumination, especially in the sunshine.

Maybe you will then feel like going on a shopping spree. Milan is considered one of the capitals of fashion, all the famous labels are represented. Especially the sophisticated pedestrian zone Corso Vittorio Emmanuele II makes the eyes of fashion fans shine.

After filling up your shopping bags, relax in one of the chic sidewalk cafes, sip your espresso and plan which of Milan’s countless sights you still want to visit before your hire car takes you back to Bergamo.