Car hire in Bergamo - between the mountains and the sea

Italy is much more than just the iconic sights of Rome, the sun-drenched shores of Sicily, or the enchanting landscapes of Tuscany. If your mind immediately jumps to pasta, Venice, or the picturesque Cinque Terre when Italy is mentioned, there's so much more to discover. Beyond its sunny retreats, Italy offers incredible opportunities for mountain trekking and skiing, with Bergamo standing out as a prime destination for these adventures. This charming town boasts a unique duality, featuring the Upper Town (Città Alta) and the Lower Town (Città Bassa), which are seamlessly linked by a funicular. The contrast between the two areas is striking; the Upper Town, with its medieval alleys, sits atop a hill, while the Lower Town presents a more contemporary, flat landscape.

Explore the wonders of northern Italy with an economical car hire in Bergamo. Surrounded by ancient fortifications and nestled among two hills, Bergamo resonates with history. Its enchanting ambiance makes it feel like a scene from a fairytale, where you could be the protagonist of your own adventure. Elevate your journey through northern Italy with our comprehensive guide to Bergamo.

For the utmost comfort and flexibility during your travels, choose Auto Europe's services and book your rental through our easy-to-use booking engine.

How is the traffic in Bergamo?

Bergamo, an ancient city characterized by its winding cobblestone streets, presents a bit of a challenge for those driving, particularly in the elevated Upper Town (Città Alta). Here, navigating on foot or by bicycle is often the wiser choice. The roads leading to Milan, located about an hour's drive to the southwest, tend to be congested with heavy traffic, especially during peak hours and even on weekends, with numerous lorries on the move. To ensure a smooth trip, it's advisable to allow ample time for your journey or consider a more scenic route through the picturesque countryside to Milan.

Where can I park my car hire in Bergamo?

Bergamo is a compact city, making it easy to explore most tourist attractions on foot. While there is ample on-street parking available in both the upper and lower city centers, it tends to be in high demand among locals, similar to any urban area worldwide. To make your visit smoother, we recommend parking your vehicle in one of the paid municipal lots suggested by the Bergamo Tourist Board. Notable options include Piazza Libertà, Central Parking on via Paleocapa, Triangolo on via Palma il Vecchio, Predaparking on via Pitentino, Ecolparking on via Ghislandi, and several others like Via Borfuro, San Marco at Piazza Repubblica, and Via Camozzi near Pam. Additional parking spots can be found on Via Tiraboschi (near Oviesse/Billa), Via Casalino, Via Baschenis, Via Pinamonte da Brembate, Via B. Palazzo (near GS), Via Previtali, and the express parking at via Spino, 12.

Do I need to pay tolls when driving a car hire in Bergamo

Yes, in the Bergamo region, you'll find several toll roads, with the most prominent being the 40-kilometer section of the A4 motorway that connects Bergamo to Milan. When you enter the motorway, be sure to take a ticket, and remember to pay upon your exit—just avoid the Telepass lane. In Italy, green signs will guide you to the autostrada; if you're not already on one, following these signs will lead you there. Keep in mind that speed limits are enforced by cameras along the highways, and any speeding violations will result in automatic tickets sent to the local car rental agency, which will then add their own processing fees to the fines.

Can I drive a car hire in Bergamo in the ZTL-zones

Certain areas of the city, particularly the historic districts like Centro Storico di Città Alta and Citta Bassa, are off-limits to vehicles at all times. Other sections may have temporary restrictions in place to help minimize emissions. When you arrive to collect your rental car in Bergamo, be sure to verify with your car hire company which areas you are allowed to drive into. Our blog features helpful advice on navigating Italy's ZTL zones and avoiding any potential issues.

Useful links

Car hire at Bergamo Airport

Official Tourism Website of Bergamo