Why rent a car in Perugia?
Perugia is the capital of the Umbria region, known for its historic center, medieval streets, and scenic countryside. With a rental car, you can easily visit destinations such as Assisi, Lake Trasimeno, and the surrounding hill towns.
Renting a car gives you the flexibility to explore central Italy beyond the city and travel comfortably between cultural sites and natural landscapes. You can also explore car rental in Rome or discover options across Italy.
Exploring Perugia and Umbria by car
Routes and highlights from Perugia
Perugia is the ideal base for a driving tour of Umbria, a region often called the green heart of Italy for its rolling hills, olive groves and medieval hilltop towns. Assisi, birthplace of Saint Francis and home to the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco, is just 25 km southeast on the SS75, a drive of about 25 minutes. Spoleto, with its Roman amphitheatre and the dramatic Ponte delle Torri aqueduct bridge, is approximately 50 km south, around 45 minutes. Orvieto, the striking hilltop town rising above the Paglia valley with its ornate Gothic cathedral, is about 85 km southwest via the E45 road and A1 motorway, reachable in around an hour. Lake Trasimeno, the largest lake in central Italy, is approximately 20 km west of Perugia. The lakeside towns of Castiglione del Lago and Passignano are pleasant stops and reachable in under 30 minutes. The Valnerina valley to the southeast, with its cascading waterfalls at Cascata delle Marmore and the truffle country around Norcia, is approximately 80 km from Perugia. For more destinations, see car rental in Italy.
Driving and parking in Perugia
Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport (IATA: PEG) is located approximately 12 km east of the city centre, near Sant’Egidio in the flat Tiber valley. The airport is small and efficient, with car rental desks in the arrivals hall and vehicle collection in the car park directly outside. Perugia city centre is built on a steep hilltop and has a ZTL (restricted traffic zone) covering the historic area, which means driving into the centre is not permitted without a permit. The most practical approach is to park at one of the car parks on the edge of the hill (Parcheggio Mentana or the Minimetrò stations) and use the city’s funicular railway or escalators to reach the centre on foot. Roads in the wider Umbria region are straightforward and well-signposted, with the E45 providing a fast north-south connection through the region.
Best time to rent a car in Perugia
April, May and October are the best months for driving in Umbria. Spring brings the famous Calendimaggio festival in Assisi (early May) and the wildflower season in the hills around Norcia; autumn brings the truffle season and the olive harvest. Temperatures are comfortable (16 to 24 degrees) and traffic on the scenic roads is light. July hosts the internationally famous Umbria Jazz festival in Perugia, which brings large numbers of visitors to the city itself but leaves the rest of the region quiet. August is warm and the roads to Spoleto and Orvieto are busy with Italian holidaymakers. Winter is mild and quiet, though some smaller attractions have reduced hours.
Car rental price in Perugia
The table below shows the lowest all-inclusive weekly rate for renting a car in Perugia, with full insurance and zero excess included. What you actually pay depends on the supplier, availability and how far ahead you book. Check the current price in the search above.
| Car type | From, 7 days |
|---|---|
| Small car (economy) | from €197 |
| Mid-size car | from €268 |
| Large car / SUV | from €301 |
Measured at 23 airports in September 2026, for a 7-day rental starting 10–17 October 2026. All-inclusive, zero excess, no credit card required. Prices vary by supplier, availability and how far ahead you book.
These prices typically include full insurance and zero excess when booking an all-inclusive rental. Prices can vary significantly between providers. If you want to avoid hidden costs, it’s worth taking a moment to compare car rental companies and rental conditions before booking. At MarSoleil, you can also find options without a credit card and no deposit.
