Taking over the hire car

Many travelers reach Padova via the airport in Venice. From there, it is only three quarters of an hour by hire car to the destination. At the airport, there are numerous hire car agencies located on the ground floor of the arrivals area. Before you decide to hire car, just make sure that your hire car is also located at the airport. After all, if you have to take a shuttle there first, you will lose valuable travel time.

Hire car prices

In Padova, as in Venice, prices for hire cars are usually in the middle range. However, during peak season, there can be a shortage of vehicles and then the prices also go up. You can often get great deals if you book well in advance of your trip and use our handy price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Padova

age limit

You must be 19 or 21 to hire car in Venice and Padova with most hire car companies. Drivers younger than 25 will often pay an additional fee. Check the conditions of your rental company before renting the car.

Language barrier

Not all staff at hire car stations in Padova and Venice speak fluent 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 telephone translation assistance in case of need.

Remember the tank regulation

Some hire car companies in Padova and Venice oblige their customers to buy the first tank of fuel for an expensive service charge. The car can then be returned with an empty tank. To save on the service fee, make sure to book with a rental company where you can pick up the car with a full tank and simply return it with a full tank.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

At Venice airport in particular, customers repeatedly report long queues. So plan enough time especially when returning the car, so as not to miss the plane. The external condition of the vehicles is also sometimes criticized. Examine your hire car closely and have all scratches or dents confirmed in writing in a fault report.

Keep the document in a safe place. This is the only way to avoid being held liable for damage you didn’t cause when you return the car. Some customers complain that your hire car station tried to sell unnecessary additional insurance. Make sure the car is adequately insured right at the time of booking and then consistently refuse to sign up for any additional insurance when you get there.

Sights in Padova

Basilica di Sant’Antonio: Magnificent pilgrimage destination
The Basilica di Sant’Antonio is a good starting point for a city tour. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, it impresses with mighty domes and filigree turrets that almost resemble a mosque. The church’s namesake, St. Anthony, is buried in the basilica. Pilgrims from all over the world flock to the left aisle to visit his sarcophagus in the Capella di Sant’Antonio. You should also check out the reliquary chapel at the back of the basilica. Here, crowds of pilgrims pass by numerous relics of St. Anthony, including his tongue, which has not decomposed since his passing.

Palazzo del Bò: Historic Lecture Hall
Padova is an old university town, so it’s a good idea to visit the Palazzo del Bò. The main building of the university was built in the 16th century. None other than Galileo Galilei spent 18 years here as a teacher. Especially worth seeing is the oldest medical lecture hall in the world. Extremely steep rows of seats enabled the students to follow the events in the “Teatro Anatomico”, which was built in 1594. A special feature is the hole that is in the floor of the lecture hall. Since the church had forbidden the dissection of corpses, the corpus delicti could be hidden here in case of danger.

Orto Botanico: Charming Garden
A stroll through the Orto Botanico could now follow. It was founded back in 1545 as the university’s medicinal herb garden. Today, it is considered one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Europe and was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1997.

Prato della Valle: Sprawling square
At the end of the city tour, it is still a good idea to visit the Prato della Valle. The spacious square enchants with many fountains and extensive green areas. You can stroll along beautifully landscaped canals and admire the stone statues representing popes, doges and nobles.

Find a good hotel

There is no shortage of good hotels in Padova either. Perhaps book your room at the Belludi 37, a hotel that impresses with its central location, modern and stylish décor and the warmth of the staff.

Suggestion for a trip by hire car

Vicenca: Charming Old Town
A trip by hire car could take you to Vicenca first. You can be there in just over half an hour. Vicenca attracts with a charming old town, which is not for nothing since 1994 on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Numerous buildings by the famous Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio characterise the townscape and make a stroll through the traffic-calmed streets a pleasure. Stroll along the Corso Andrea Palladio. It is lined with magnificent palazzi. You can hunt for original souvenirs in the shops to the right and left of the street.

Verona: Lively city with a lot of flair
There is a lot more turbulence than in Vicenca if you now steer the hire car to Verona. You will need three quarters of an hour for the drive. The city where, according to legend, Romeo and Juliet once swore eternal love to each other, is today a turbulent metropolis with a lot of flair. Visit the market in Piazza delle Erbe where local delicacies are on sale daily.

Afterwards, don’t miss a visit to the Arena di Verona, where the world-famous opera festival takes place every summer. Afterwards, you can take a look at the church of Sant'Antasia. It was built between 1280 and 1400 and is considered a prime example of the Gothic architectural style. After the church visit you should just let yourself drift, drink an espresso in a café and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city.

Matova: Gigantic Castle and Latest Fashion
Before you head back to Padova in your hire car, you can stop off in Mantova. Your hire car will take you there in less than three quarters of an hour. In Mantova, the Palazzo Ducale awaits you in a gigantic palace that has over 500 rooms. A small part of the pompous rooms is open to the public for visiting.

If you want to stock up on Italian fashion at bargain prices, you’ll have the option of heading to the Mantova Fashion District, a gigantic outlet with numerous designer brands, to finish off your trip. A drive of about two hours now separates you from Padova, where you can plan your next hire car round trip.