Best advice to rent and ride a Vespa in Rome

The “Eternal City” is a wonderful place that everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime. Rome contains both ancient and modern history. Everywhere you go, you will find magnificent art and museums where you can admire so much beauty. And while you find yourself walking along the main streets try to look around, you will be amazed! There are many and different ways to visit Rome. I personally think that taking long walks is the best way but not the only one. There are a lot of buses that run at different times, even during the night. If you don’t want to wait for the bus then rent a Vespa and you will have a taste of the “Dolce Vita”! Follow this guide that will help you not to get lost and to avoid a lot of fines!

Driving a Vespa in Rome

Scooter by igorovsyannyko – Pixabay

Driving in Rome can be a beautiful adventure to try especially during summer. But you must know a few things! There are some unwritten rules for being a real Roman driver. Let’s see some tips together:

1. Those who arrive first 

Even if the rules of the road are different, in Rome those who arrive first at the intersection have the right of way. For most Romans, it is like this, but you must be careful, breaking the rules will cost you a lot especially if there are the Italian Carabinieri and Police nearby. You must be awake and quick otherwise you risk collision, or you will not stop in time if there is a pedestrian.

2. Traffic lights 

As for the traffic lights, on the other hand, some drivers break when it is green and some move with the red lights. So, you must be very careful! Unfortunately, in Rome, there is the rule of the “overbearing traffic light”. Some drivers do not respect the stop lines and stop at pedestrian crossings, creating problems for pedestrians and Vespa drivers. But don’t behave like them and respect the rules of the road especially if you are a tourist!

3. Roman pride

At last, but not least you must know that the Roman drivers are very fiery. They get angry and fight as soon as they can. Any wrong movement, unsuccessful turn or stolen parking space can become an easy way to argue. So be careful and avoid arguments of any kind, especially with the Romans!

Parking in Rome

Rome by Fjaka – Wikimedia Commons

As for parking, you should know that the blue lines indicate a paid parking with a tariff. If the stripes are white then the parking is free. Parking in the centre can be very difficult, but not if you are driving a Vespa! If you need a place to park then look along the streets. Rome is full of dedicated parking lots especially made for Vespa or motorbikes.  Always be careful when you live your motorbike or Vespa along the street. If you are renting it then ask how to park your vehicle and what to do to avoid robbery.

Rent a scooter in Rome

Visiting the “Eternal City” on two wheels has many advantages:

• You will avoid the busy streets and the crowded underground;
• With a Vespa you won’t need bus tickets;
• No more public transportation;
• No more timetables and no more wasted time waiting;
• More places to visit.

But Rome is most definitely not the place to learn how to operate a scooter. Driving around Rome by motor requires a lot of attention, even if the roman drivers are careful, it can always happen that someone makes a mistake.

Remember the essential rules:

• avoid bus lanes and pedestrian areas, especially in Via Dei Fori Romani;
• mind the tram tracks!
• with the 50 or 125 cc scooter, it is forbidden to go on the motorway.
• you can drive in the Centro Storico and through ZTL barriers and access many areas that cars can’t;
• don’t forget your driving licence;
• don’t drink and drive;
• don’t drive the wrong way up streets; you must respect the signals!

Places to rent a scooter in Rome

There are a lot of places where to rent a scooter in Rome. Here you will find the best ones in my opinion.

Rome by Vespa

Vespa n Rome by Studiovers – Wikimedia Commons

Along Via Dei Mille n. 8 you will find the “Rome by Vespa” rental agency and they will help you find your best experience in Rome. You can choose between

a scooter with a 50 cc engine :

• for 1 day 40 €
• for2 days 75 €
• extra day € 25

a scooter with a 125 cc engine:

• for 1 day 50 €
• for 2  days € 95
• extra day € 35

a Vespa with a 125 cc engine:

• for 1 day € 59
• for 2 days € 115
• extra day € 4.

If you don’t know I have to organize your visit, they have five organized tours you can choose from:

1. Discover Rome: 90 € (2 hours)
2. Panoramic tour: 135 € (3 hours)
3. The best of Rome: 145 € (4 hours)
4. Rome by night: 135 € (3 hours)
5. Castelli Romani: 175 € (6 hours)

Check their website here for more information about the tours, you can even choose to have a private driver!

The rental agency is open every day from 8:30 to 19:00 pm

Bici & Baci

On a quiet street of Rome by Artem Kavalerov -Wikimedia Commons

A stone’s throw from Rome Termini Station on Via Rosmini, 26/28 you will find “Bici & Baci“, a company founded in 1997 from the idea of Claudio Sarra, a scooter enthusiast.

The rental agency is specialized in renting scooters, bicycles and electric vehicles but also organizing tours.

Here you will find tours for all tastes and requirements, planned and adapted to your needs. You can choose your one vehicle, the itinerary and the time you prefer to live. But if you are not practical, you can always ask the rental office for a guided tour! They have reliable drivers with great experience!

The most important thing is that here you will find eco-friendly vehicles! From 2016 they offer eco-friendly scooters for more responsible tourism!

The rental agency is open every day from 08 to 19 pm. Here you will find all the information you need.

The price for renting an electric scooter for the whole day is € 32.

Roma Rent a Scooter

Vespa by Christel SAGNIEZ da Pixabay

Near Largo di Torre Argentina, in Via del Paradiso n. 42 you will find the rental agency “Roma Rent Scooter“. Francesco the owner will suggest beautiful places to visit and the best places in Rome where you can taste typical dishes.

If you need a scooter with a 50 cc engine capacity the price is:

• for 1 day € 40
• for 2 days € 80

Instead for a scooter with a 125 cc engine capacity is:

• for 1 day € 50
• for 2 days € 100

The rental agency is open every day from 09 to 19.

Here you can find all the information necessary, you can even contact them on Facebook here!

Cooltra

Vespa Ryan McGuire da Pixabay

In Via di Santa Maria Maggiore n. 131, near the Termini Station you will find the “Cooltra” delivery point that will allow you to visit the “eternal city” in a fast and fun way. Book their scooter through their website and pick it up at the delivery point shop. Their scooter delivery service at Termini station is active every day from 9 am to 8 pm.

Normally they wait for the customer for 15 minutes, so if there are any delays or inconveniences, remember to notify them by sending an email to roma@cooltra.com or call them at (+39) 064884508. They will reschedule the delivery of your scooter at the time of your arrival.

My top tip

Do not forget to send them an email to choose the size of your helmets (from XS to XL), and if you are two on the scooter, I recommend you add a top case to store safely the second helmet. In their service, you will find included the helmet, RC insurance and free cancellation 24 hours in advance.

Remember:

To rent a scooter with “Rome by Vespa” you must have previous scooter driving experience, a European or international driver license and a € 500 deposit on the credit card.

Treno e scooter vespa rental

Vespa by meineresterampe da Pixabay

Near Roma Termini, in Piazza dei Cinquecento you will find the “Treno and scooter vespa rental”, initiative promoted by Ferrovie dello Stato, Legambiente and Piaggio.

You can rent:

• a 50 cc engine scooter from 9.00 am to 19.00 pm at 22/28 € (or for 24 hours at 20/25€).
• a 125 cc engine scooter from 9.00 am to 19.00 pm at 36/45 € (or for 24 hours at 39/49 €).

And also:

• a 150 cc engine scooter from 9.00 am to 19.00 pm at 43/54 € (or for 24 hours at 47/59 €).

Included in the price you will have a bandana, a padlock for your scooter and two helmets and also a top case for them!

The agency is open from 9.00 am to 14.00 pm and from 16.00 pm to 19.00 pm.

Here you will find all the information you need!