Enterprise

Car & Van Hire in Parma

Enterprise car hire locations in Parma

Parma Airport is very small, with a single runway and just a few routes, mostly to and from the Mediterranean islands of Sicily, Sardinia and Malta. Enterprise Rent-A-Car offices can be found in the town centre, as well as Bologna Airport, approximately 100 km away. Vehicles can be booked in advance.

What to do and see in Parma

Parma is an absolute paradise for foodies. Two of Italy's most famous products come from this city: the famous Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, an essential ingredient of so many pasta dishes, and the mouthwatering Prosciutto di Parma ham. Make sure to loosen your belt because while these are the most famous products from Parma, they're just the start! Stuffed pasta like tortelli and anolini, the remarkable culatello di zibello ham, borgotaro mushrooms and black truffles are all regular sights on the menu here. Parma is also the birthplace of the panini, Italy's most famous sandwich. In a country famous for food, it doesn't get much better than Parma!

After indulging in a gourmet feast, you'll probably want to stretch your legs. Try visiting one of Parma's historical buildings, like the Palazzo della Pilotta, now home to an archaeological museum, an art gallery and a theatre, or the Parco Ducale, a stately home with 200 square metres of manicured gardens. Take a stroll around the central square, the Piazza Garibaldi, where you'll see the impressive Palazzo del Governatore. The Duomo, Parma's cathedral, is another must. It has stood here for almost one thousand years and is a truly remarkable piece of architecture.

Car rental in Parma lets you see beyond the city. As you explore the region of Emilia-Romagna, you'll soon learn why it is often considered one of the most beautiful parts of Italy. There are some spectacular castles nearby, such as the Torrechiara Castle and the Fontanellato Castle. While on the way to Fontanellato, be sure to stop at the Labirinto della Masone. This is the largest hedge maze in the world, so give yourself plenty of time to get to the centre!

In summer, one of the best options for a day trip with car or van rental in Parma is the Parco dei Cento Laghi, or the park of the hundred lakes. High in the mountains, it offers a welcome respite from the heat of the city. There may not be a hundred lakes – in fact, there are nineteen – but you'll find plenty to admire as you wander along tree-lined paths and through green meadows dotted with colourful flowers. If you're lucky, you'll see some wildlife, too. Deer, eagles and owls all call this area home. Be aware if you're visiting the park that there is no mobile phone coverage. It's a good idea to take a paper copy of an area map to ensure you don't get lost.

Driving in Parma

Like most Italian cities, the centre of Parma is marked by ZTLs, which are limited traffic zones around the historical parts of the city. Unless you have a special permit, you will not be able to drive into a ZTL. If you do, you will receive a fine. Keep an eye out for the ZTL sign, which will soon be familiar if you plan to visit many cities in Italy: a white circle surrounded by a red ring. Sometimes the sign has the letters "ZTL" on it, but often it does not, leading visitors to enter without realising.

In Parma, the ZTL means you will be unable to enter Viale Toscanini, Viale Mariotti or Piazzale Salvo D'Acquisto every day from 07:30-19:30. The Via Ventidue Luglio ZTL has a shorter timetable, from 07:30-11:00 and again from 16:00-19:00.

There are several large car parks where you can leave your car for the day in Parma. The largest, on Viale Paolo Toschi, has 958 spaces and is very close to the historic centre. If you would rather avoid the stress of parking in the city and the possibility of accidentally entering a ZTL, you can look for an "exchange parking". These are located on the outskirts of the city and offer park-and-ride services. You can park for free and buy a ticket for a shuttle bus to the city centre. These services can be found at the north, south, east and west entry points of the city, as well as on Via Traversetolo.

If you want to drive between cities, watch out for toll roads. In particular, there is a toll booth very soon after entering the A15 from Parma to La Spezia. Tolls are common around Italy, and prices can vary significantly. To avoid paying a toll, take roads marked by a blue sign with the letters "SS". These are "strade statali" and offer a slower but free way of getting between cities. Check your route in advance, as sometimes the SS routes can be significantly longer.

One important road rule to remember when driving in Italy is that you must keep your headlights on whenever you are outside a city. This is enforced at all times of the day. When driving in a city by day, headlights are optional.

Car and van hire in Italy with Enterprise

Enterprise Italy offers a range of car and van hire services including one-way, long-term and short-term vehicle hire. Commercial clients can speak to our award-winning business rental team who will tailor a mobility solution for your needs and budget.

We are part of the Enterprise group, the largest transportation solutions provider in the world. Our global network covers more than 90 countries and over 9,500 locations, allowing us to serve your mobility needs, wherever you’re going.

We are committed to providing the best service possible and exceeding our customers’ expectations for quality and value.

Car hire in Parma

If you are travelling with your family or in a big group, you may find a 7-seater or a people carrier will give you more space to travel comfortably with your luggage. For a city trip, a handy hatchback that’s easy to park may suit you better. For business trips or long drives an executive car will combine comfort and performance.

Whether you prefer automatic to manual transmission, no problem. If you want a petrol, diesel or hybrid engine, we’ve got you covered. You may also need GPS, a child seat or want to add another driver to the contract, let us know and we’ll arrange it for you.

Van hire in Parma

Should you need to hire a van while you’re in Parma, all our vans can be driven on a standard licence and are modern, clean and easy to drive. Just ask and one of our branch team will happily show you around your hire van to make sure you are comfortable with it before you head off.